Hold on tight.

Over the next six months radio consolidators will make drastic personnel cutbacks due to strategies that they’ve been working on behind the scenes that are now ready to roll out.

In fact, one big group couldn’t wait – they started firing big name people yesterday.

If you want to know what the rest of the year is going to look like for radio (and we’ve called just about every move in advance), get off the teasers and subscribe to unlock the story where you’ll learn …

1.  Which group has already started up again to eliminate significant salaries that will no longer be necessary when their computerized software update is up and running?

2.  How Clear Channel is actually making station execs sign their own death warrants in a sense – this is a fascinating study in deceit.

3.  Imagine getting a SurveyMonkey questionnaire in your email and then by the end of that day you must return it and in effect sign off on more moves to cutback and eliminate local radio.  I’ll out the group that’s doing it with all the little details.

4.  If you’re doing this job at Cumulus or Clear Channel, go online right now and check out how to sign up for unemployment benefits.  Sadly, you’re going to need it.  This is massive.

5.  Believe it or not, some stations will be decimated, full staffs fired and syndication installed.  Here are the kinds of facilities most likely to be targeted.

6.  Watch out for the Clear Channel overnight “experiment” where they pipe in Steve Harvey, Elvis Duran and repurposed programming to save money.  But wait, they are already saving money during the overnight hours.  What’s their real plan?  Now you’ll know.

Only in Inside Music Media can you get intelligence like this.

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If CBS dropped all-news from one of its stations, that would be the end of all-news as a format.

As of today, classic hits is out in Boston as WODS becomes an AMP hit music station positioned to go after Clear Channel’s Kiss WXKS.

These two formats are synonymous with CBS so this is a big deal.

More change is coming and it’s going to reshuffle markets everywhere.

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1.  The other CBS classic hits station now on “death watch”. 

2.  The big consolidators are changing their strategy and looking to lock in a handful of bread and butter formats.  Here’s what they’re thinking.

3.  How the CBS deal with Cumulus to do a 24/7 sports network plays into this strategy. 

4.  What about WCBS-FM in New York – is it safe from the demise of “classic hits”?  I’ll give you a direct answer and you can take it to the bank.  No waffling.

5.  By winnowing down to a handful of popular formats, look how radio groups are handing their audiences over to new media.  I’ll give you a great example you can learn from.

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My next media conference (and, yes, I will be discussing the salvation of radio) is January 30-31/Scottsdale.

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I can think of many ways that advertising is going to change for radio stations.  You may be able to add more.

The writing is on the wall as you will see, and I have also included some new opportunities to jump on immediately.

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1.  The new trend in media buying that will redefine how stations must sell spots.

2.  Advertisers don’t want what radio stations are selling them – here’s what they want instead.

3.  The best way to walk a media buyer away from taking your on-air spend and give it to digital.

4.  Speaking of digital, the best way a station can sell both digital and on-air together.  The new rules and expectations you’ll have to deal with from now on.

5.  Commercial breaks must be reinvented – buyers are forcing it.  Here’s the best approach.

6.   An entirely new and potentially huge stream of revenue for a radio operator and it’s not digital.  Plus … two more.

Only in Inside Music Media can you get intelligence like this.

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I know – you laughed when I published an article only last Tuesday saying that Cumulus wants to buy CBS.

And on April 13^th when I did an intelligence report that said Cumulus was talking to CBS about doing a 24/7 sports network together. 

The sports network was announced yesterday.

And now I am going to show you how, God forbid, Cumulus could be the buyer for CBS Radio.

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1.  Study the deal Les Moonves just announced with Lew Dickey and you’ll see at least one more option for how they could do business again.  If you’re working at either Cumulus or CBS, this will open your eyes as to what’s up next and when the time is right.

2.  What does CBS get out of this Cumulus deal in the meantime in which they create the content and Cumulus syndicates CBS Sports Radio.

3.  I’ll bet you’re reading all the fluff in the happy talk trades today with flowery quotes from Moonves and Dickey, but do you want to know what’s really up and why is it happening at this point in time?  Ignore this deal at your own peril.

4.  If you’re scoffing at how Cumulus could even entertain buying CBS when virtually no bank loans are available in the current financial climate, look at this ingenious way CBS and Cumulus could become one. 

5.  By my count CBS and NBC/Comcast have n their hats in to the next expansion of consolidation.  Catch an early glimpse of what it looks like here.  Mark my words, the pieces are being moved into place for consolidating without Congress ever passing another law.

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There’s a record number of format changes taking place in radio currently and a record number of flops.

What’s up with that?

Yes, they save money because switching formats usually means clearing out expensive employees.

Here’s why format flips fail but with a couple of easy adjustments could be built to succeed.

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1.  The biggest missing piece of the puzzle.  If you do this, you improve your chances of getting significant ratings and making money.

2.  Why on and off air promotion is leaving new listeners unimpressed and how to fix it.

3.  It used to be that stations looked for the “hole” in the market.  Today there is no significant “hole” or need so what are you to do now?

4.  What type of format flip works best in terms of ratings and money.  What’s the safest format to choose?

5.  One of the most popular formats to dump – but do it and you’ll be making a big mistake.  Dump something else.

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One of the oddest things in radio is that Bill Bungeroth is working for Lew Dickey.

Odd because back in the days when Cumulus emerged, a lot of funny stuff allegedly went on when Dickey, Richard Weening and Bungeroth were running the company. 

Bungeroth eventually disappeared for a long time.

This thing reads like an Agatha Christie mystery.

It’s a hard story to put together, but there is apparently more meaning to the relationship between these men than most people know.

1.  Rumors of financial impropriety.

2.  The auditing firm that apparently discovered the books were allegedly being cooked in the early days of Cumulus – an allegation but one that will not go away.

3.  The payment Bungeroth allegedly received in the early days when Cumulus bought a new station.  

4.  Who walked the plank, who got kicked to the curb and why no one ever heard from either of them again until Bungeroth emerged as the San Francisco market manager.

5.  How Lew Dickey fixed the problem and eventually took control of what is today the number two radio group in the country.

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No pay raise in 6 years and now Bob Pittman wants you to give money to the re-launched Clear Channel Political Action Committee otherwise known as a PAC.

But wait until you hear what happens if you give – or if you don’t.

Waka waka waka …

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1.  Who Clear Channel will tell if you make a donation – better know this before you do anything.

2.  Your rights – be prepared for overzealous managers who step over the line and make you uncomfortable about giving.

3.  How much money Pittman needs to raise pronto!

4.  The repercussions to donating to the Clear Channel PAC – tax consequences, employee rights and legal rights.

5.  Oh, and I will tell you who Blinky is – one of the four enemies who is trying to get money from you.

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My next media conference (and, yes, I will be discussing the salvation of radio) is January 30-31/Scottsdale.

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This is a horror story based on speculation that I have been hearing for quite some time. 

So, is it true or false?

I’m going to answer that question directly with a yes or a no.

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1.  True or false, CBS CEO Les Moonves doesn’t like radio.

2.  Why the rumors won’t go away that Cumulus wants to make a big play for CBS Radio and is there anything to them.

3.  How do money people think such a deal could get done. 

4.  How much revenue does CBS Radio contribute to the parent company and what would CBS do next with the proceeds if it sells.  

5.  The answer – will CBS end up selling to Cumulus yes or no – and the likely scenario I see for the future of CBS Radio.

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My next media conference (and, yes, I will be discussing the salvation of radio) is January 30-31/Scottsdale.

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Lew Dickey and Cumulus are talking out of both sides of their mouth.

What you see is not what you get as witnessed by these recent events at Cumulus.

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1.  Mark and Brian – What’s really going on at KLOS?  Is John Dickey seriously negotiating with Brian to stay?

2.  KGO is an abortion!  From first to 24th mostly on the Cumulus watch.  If you want to know why it doesn’t bother Lew Dickey to blow up iconic stations, read on.

3.  Lawsuits against the company – they’re actually not winning.  Encouragement for the brave.  They are not to be feared.

4.  Faux recruitment – Look how Cumulus is actually turning firing people into an on-air promotion.  No kidding.

5.  Diminishing employee benefits.  You know Captain Lew earns $20 million a year, right?  Take a look at how he’s forcing the other side to live.

6.  Commission rates – if I told you that in some cases Cumulus sellers could make more money selling vacuum cleaners, would you believe me?  Better believe it.

7.  Mike Wannabee – How Lew and John are fantasizing about Mike Huckabee as Rush Limbaugh’s replacement even though he’s not and they don’t really care.  How Dickey uses Huckabee as a hostage.

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My next media conference (and, yes, I will be discussing the salvation of radio) is January 30-31/Scottsdale.

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More chicken-shit tactics from Cumulus.

No more moonlighting without permission – and it’s retroactive.

Who it applies to, the new form that must be filled out, when it has to be in, how long it will take to get an answer and more importantly, what’s the real reason Cumulus is cracking down now with such force so fast.  And, it applies to volunteer work!  Really!

I’ll share the memo and the answers.

The numbers are in – and they are from Clear Channel’s own financials.

They make a fool out of me because Bain actually created 1,800 new jobs since taking over from the Mays family and now I have egg on my face.

I’ve got to start drinking their Kool-Aid from now on like the other happy talk trade publications and stop with being so suspicious all the time.

I must go to confession and seek penance for my sins.

I deserve what I am going to get – say two “Our Fathers”, repeat 10 times “Bob Pittman invented MTV” and make a good act of contrition.

Oh – wait!

I forgot to tell you what jobs Bain actually created at Clear Channel.

I know what you’re thinking – part-time jobs.

Nope.

It’s so much worse that you’ll never guess.

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1.  Finally – their own number on how many “domestic” jobs they’ve eliminated since Lee and Bain took over.  And by domestic, I’m talking housekeepers here (or am I?).

2.  The number of operations jobs that have been lost forever in just the last three years alone.  Important because Clear Channel is getting ready to fire more operations and programming people than ever before.  This will give you an idea of the carnage you can expect.

3.  Clear Channel’s likely excuse for the cutbacks.

4.  The one positive is that Bain indeed created 420 new “domestic” jobs in the last two years alone.  A trend?  A sign of hope?

5.  What you can expect in January when the new firing figures come out.

The answers begin here.

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You’ve gotta hand it to John Hogan.

He punts on 2^nd down.

Yesterday’s Clear Channel management shuffle in which Hogan screwed one of his favorite henchwoman came much earlier than usual because Clear Channel has urgent plans and nothing is going to stop them.

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1.  Clear Channel has now dreamed up a new form of consolidation – that’s what the Hogan Shuffle was all about yesterday.  This is what you’re going to have to look out for now.

2.  When is the detonation date?  I’ve been getting a feeling that something really big is going to happen and I’ve been fortunate to predict these dates.  Here’s the month the axe drops.

3. What the new model Clear Channel will have – or should I say not have – that the old model had.  Lots of jobs will be lost over this – the pieces are now in place to make it happen.

4.  How big are Clear Channel’s plans?  Your jaw will drop when you see how they plan to operate major market stations.  Go ahead guess!  No, even worse.

5.  Something is up for mid-July.  And it isn’t comforting to people working at Clear Channel.  What you may be doing on your summer vacation.

The answers begin here.

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The major radio consolidators are now getting ready to decimate the ranks of radio employees in their major markets.

No longer can large market station people console themselves that the software programs, job rollups and staff reductions that are virtually wiping out local radio on Main Street is just for small cities.

Lew Dickey’s revenge is coming now big time – as soon as this week.

At Clear Channel, only the presidential election that has focused Mitt Romney’s detractors on Bain Capital, their part-owners, is forcing CEO Bob Pittman to go under the radar until after November. 

But Clear Channel is still firing and ready to blow.

This is major and it’s going to be ugly.

Here’s what’s developing now and what’s likely to play out over the months ahead:

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1.  The Dickeys just detonated a major PD/Ops consolidation in one big market and is turning its eye toward another on Tuesday. 

2.  Which major market position is most expendable?

3.  How will entire clusters be structured and run regardless of market size by the end of next year – earlier in some Clear Channel and Cumulus cities.

4.  How the unthinkable is about to happen regarding major market air talent – the ones that survive, that is.

5.  What is the future of the live and local morning show in light of massive contraction that is beginning to penetrate the larger markets.

The answers begin here.

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Say it ain’t so!

Those cheap bastards running radio’s biggest companies aren’t really going to cutback on severance pay.

They can’t – can they?

They won’t – will they?

I’ve talked to industry sources and labor lawyers so get ready to defend yourself against the next potential indignity from consolidation.

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1.  Radio companies are not legally bound to pay severance compensation in every state but here’s some great ammunition for you – the one thing to look for that will force them to pay you no matter what.

2.  What about vacation pay?  Safe?  Don’t even tell me.

3.  The devious ways severance may be used selectively or strategically as big consolidators continue to cut expenses.

4.  Reports of new talent contracts that are said to reduce “earned” severance by mutual agreement.  Beware.  They make you give up benefits and often don’t even give you a raise.  What’s up with that?

5.  Defending against bully tactics of radio companies that are starting to use severance to get what they want or just not pay it at all.

The answers begin here.

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A new, important programming memo was issued Monday to Clear Channel stations from Central Command.

The charade continues that national “integrated advertising campaigns” (as CEO Bob Pittman calls them) are supposed to be embraced as local even when they are being rammed down the throats of local PDs and ops managers.

I’m not blaming any radio company for wanting to do income producing advertising promotions for clients.  In fact, there’s nothing new to that.

But the three “new” mandated promotions that Clear Channel local stations are being forced to do are so – well, old – that you’re going to say “did that” years ago.

As more and more companies consolidate not only positions but also real live thinking individuals, this one is going to knock you off your feet.

The past is the future from the less is more company and the future involves a scary mixture of Big Brother and Up With People that is coming to a station near you – not just Clear Channel.

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1.  What Clear Channel is forcing their stations to do every night at around 6 pm.  Read it to see how national programming is being amped up to the destruction of local radio.  I’ll quote the memo.  If you’re a competitor, “you’re welcome”.

2.  Why sales promotion #2 – this “brand new” once-a-day promotion is right out of the – well, the freakin’ 60’s.  No kidding.  And no thinking is required.

3.  From the company that plays the same record every hour on the hour in return for their potential free participation in the next iHeartRadio music fest, you now get this third gem for Dish Network for the next 19 weeks.  Have a seat and remove all sharp objects before opening.

4.  What if a Clear Channel PD or ops manager doesn’t want to go along with this foolishness?  Believe it or not, corporate has a solution for that as well.  It’s only two lines, but even I’m scared!

5.  Why Clear Channel is infiltrating local stations with national integrated advertising campaigns now – why now?

The answers begin here.

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The good news is that if you work for Clear Channel, you will likely never again see a massive layoff all in one day.  (Cumulus employees, you’ll soon see why you’re not included in this).

The bad news?

More people will be fired over the next few years than the total number of victims who lost their jobs previously since Lee & Bain took over.

It’s a new game of Hangman in which one player (the manager) tries to guess the next thing corporate wants them to do to outsource local radio and failed attempts are recorded by drawing a gallows and someone hanging on it, line by line.

Then guess who hangs?

If you’re wondering why Clear Channel is so concerned with dictating the end of local radio, I am, too.

As you’re about to see, they even want nationalization of local radio to originate from individual markets and clusters – here are the specifics.

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1.  The systematic process now used to eliminate local shows because Clear Channel wants the local manager to opt in rather than being ordered, as was the case previously.

2.  Why you should beware of your summer vacation.  Here’s a Clear Channel memo that makes it so easy to replace you this year that they may be tempted to give you a permanent vacation.  Read it for yourself and you’ll get the drift.

3.  Why Clear Channel is only a few months away from being able to make live, local talent disappear in thin air in every market not just some like David Copperfield.

4.  How programming interference will continue for what local PDs remain – and I say that because Clear Channel won’t need all their current program directors soon.

5.  What is Clear Channel so afraid of?  They can fire people anytime they like.  How they suddenly so badly want it to appear as if the local stations are asking them for canned, national syndication or voice tracking.

The answers begin here.

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