Urban One Forced To Make ‘Very Difficult’ Cuts And Furloughs.

Story by Inside Radio

Urban One has joined other radio groups forced to make difficult decisions as the COVID-19 pandemic rattles the U.S. economy, and with it, radio’s advertising revenue stream. A brief memo released by the company explained it has made “very difficult decisions to furlough or layoff many employees, across all divisions of the company.”

“Urban One will not be making comments about specific divisions, stations or individuals but, like every business and person in this country, we are navigating our way through this pandemic,” a statement from the company provided to Inside Radio read. “Urban One remains committed to providing the African American community with a voice and being a source of information to our viewers, listeners and content consumers.”

Among those affected by the cuts and furloughs are:

Dustin Cross, Program Director of CHR “Radio Now 100.9” WNOW-FM Indianapolis and CHR sister “92.1 Radio Now” KROI Houston, has been let go. Cross also hosted afternoons at WNOW-FM and served as the company’s CHR Format Director. Mallory Moreno, night host at WNOW-FM and Amir Diamond, who held the same role at KROI, also exit.

In Atlanta, “Jarard J” Johnson, who hosted nights at urban AC “Majic 107.5” WAMJ, is a victim of the cuts at the company, while Radio One Dallas VP of Programming and Operations Marc McCray has reportedly been furloughed.

In St. Louis, urban contemporary “Hot 104” WHHL midday personality Meghan O’Donnell and afternoon co-host “Miss Pooh” (Ge’Nella McCrary) exit. At urban AC sister WFUN-FM (95.5) afternoon hosts DJ. Kut and Ms. Sinita both depart, the St. Louis Dispatch reports.

Also out is Jerry Smith, Program Director of urban gospel WNNL Raleigh (103.9). Smith also served as Inspirational Content Director for Radio One’s gospel stations.

Below is the text of a memo from Urban One, posted by RadioFacts.com.

“Today is an extremely difficult day for all of us at Radio One and Reach.

“As you are aware, we are faced with a time of uncertainty and it is not business as usual. Our businesses have been dramatically affected by the effect of the coronavirus on our advertisers. We have experienced significant cancellations for second quarter and new business is coming in at a trickling rate. The decline in revenues forces us to react soundly and appropriately to ensure that we are able to operate our businesses going forward.

“Unfortunately, this meant having to make very difficult decisions to furlough or layoff many employees, across all divisions of the company today. While we hope to bring many of them back, unfortunately at this time we do not know when this crisis will end.”
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Read more: https://radioink.com/2020/03/23/virus-reverses-growth-at-urban-one/