Despite positive overall economic signs that a recession will not transpire across the U.S., the radio industry continues to face strong headwinds, limiting profits while leading some companies to address headcount.
One of those companies is a Bakersfield, Calif.-headquartered station owner led by Rogers Brandon. Roughly 20 employees are no longer with the company, with one high-profile air personality on California’s Central Coast telling his story to the Tribune, the McClatchy Co.-owned newspaper serving San Luis Obispo.
Adam Montiel, a 13-year veteran of American General Media, is no longer hosting mornings on KKAL “The Krush 92.5” and afternoons on sibling KSTT “Coast 104.5.” Montiel also hosted the “Cork Dorks,” a wine enthusiast program and vignette series. According to KSTT Program Director Suzanne Schonig told the Tribune via e-mail Montiel’s departure was tied to a “company-wide layoff.”
Montiel was on his second tenure at AGM/San Luis Obispo, which started in 2010. His first tenure began 20 years ago. Expressing shock to the Tribune, he said, “You endure a lot in this business, but when you do what you love, and love what you do, you endure … I leave that building as the last 6-10 a.m. morning drive host that was all live and all local.”
With Montiel’s exit, Schonig shifts from middays to mornings as KKAL PD Pepper Daniels assumes the midday shift at The Krush. Daniels will retain programming duties for Country KJUG and Talk KVEC-AM.
Meanwhile, at KPAT-FM “95.7 The Beat,” which serves the Santa Maria, Calif., listening area and can be heard in southern San Luis Obispo County, afternoon host “Flawless,” a.k.a. Chris Lynwood is reportedly gone. As such, PD Jessica Carroll shifts from middays while retaining her morning host duties at Country sibling KSNI. Additionally, Carroll is PD of Adult Hits KBOX “104.1 Pirate Radio.”
AGM competes against Dimes Media and Adelman Communications in the San Luis Obispo market, where noncommercial stations enjoy significant listenership.
— With reporting by RBR+TVBR in Los Osos-Baywood Park, Calif.
