Latest cut at Citadel Media: Robinson out, Rosso in

A high-ranking source within Citadel Media confirms that President Jim Robinson has exited and SVP/Digital Media John Rosso has risen to take his place. The formal announcement should come from the company today (10/8). The move is yet another in a string of cost-cutting at Citadel. In just one week, The Doug Banks Show has been canceled and staff has been trimmed some 7-10% at ABC News Radio.

Said the source, re: Rosso: "He's got a broad understanding of the radio business. He ran network affiliate relations, oversaw engineering and, most recently digital. He knows the network business and its challenges and will be an immediate force for change at Citadel."

Robinson has been president of Citadel Media (formerly ABC Radio Networks), since December 2004. Prior to that, he served as GM for ABC Radio's stations WRQX-FM and WJZW-FM in Washington, DC.

Rosso was promoted to SVP/Digital Media following the merger with ABC Radio in June of 2007. He previously served in a number of roles with ABC Radio Networks, including SVP of Affiliate Relations & Digital Media, SVP, Affiliate Relations and Business Administration, and VP, Affiliate Relations. Rosso Joined ABC Radio Networks in July 1995 as GM, Operations and was promoted to VP, Operations in November 1997. Prior to joining ABC, Rosso was Director, Broadcast Operations and Engineering for the Group W/Westinghouse Broadcasting stations in NYC.

RBR-TVBR observation: This is kind of like a mudslide. Expect more to run downhill at Citadel Media. This, in the form of staff and programming. From what we've heard Citadel is just going to cut most everything at Citadel Media that is not making money. Times are tough and revenues are just not equaling -- and certainly not exceeding -- costs.

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