Re: Fresh 105.9 hires new PD.. who will be in New York

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: How does MR. BS PR Rod Zimmerman speak out of both sides of his mouth? He's Clutch Cargo! : : Seasoned programmer takes on �Fresh� challenge : : : : To hear Rod Zimmerman tell it, he�s just hired �The Michael Jordan of Adult Contemporary Radio� as program director of WCFS-FM (105.9), the struggling CBS Radio station known as �Fresh 105.9.� Hyperbole aside, he�s not far off the mark. : : Of the seven CBS Radio stations Zimmerman oversees in Chicago, none could use a superstar programmer more than �Fresh 105.9,� which has been something of a stinker ever since it replaced ill-fated FM talker WCKG in November 2007. It�s currently languishing in 24th place overall and in seventh place among women between the ages of 25 and 54 (the station�s target audience), according to Arbitron�s Portable People Meters. In other words, it�s out of the money. : : Taking on what could be the challenge of the year is Jim Ryan, who Monday was named program director of WCFS as well as New York �Fresh� sister station WFFS. (To sweeten the deal, Ryan also was named vice president of adult contemporary programming for all 14 CBS Radio stations in the format nationwide.) : : Though based in New York, Ryan will spend one or two days of every week in Chicago with hands-on control over the station�s programming. �With today�s technology, having one person overseeing two stations in two different markets is no big deal � especially in this format,� Zimmerman said. �It�s about the music. It�s about the listeners. Not a problem.� : : The move not only underscores CBS Radio�s commitment to the �Fresh� format, but it squelches persistent rumors of a switch to an FM sports/talk format � similar to that on the company�s WSCR-AM (670) � for the foreseeable future. Said Zimmerman: : : �We�ve gone out and hired the best AC [adult contemporary] programmer on the planet. We�re not going to hire this guy and then turn around and flip formats. We�re really committed to �Fresh,� we think it�s a great format, and it really balances our cluster [demographically]. We�re absolutely serious about making this work.� : : Ryan made his reputation as an innovative, successful programmer during nearly 12 years at New York�s adult contemporary WLTW, which he transformed into the highest rated and top-billing station in the country. He rose to senior vice president of adult contemporary programming at Clear Channel Radio before stepping down in 2008 to head his own consulting company. : : He�s not quite a stranger to Chicago, having overseen programming at adult-contemporary WLIT-FM (93.9) for nine months in 1999 after the highly regarded Mark Edwards was forced out. In one of those odd radio coincidences, Tony Coles, who now calls the shots at �Lite FM� as vice president of programming and operations for Clear Channel in Chicago, was Ryan�s longtime assistant program director at WLTW. : : Ryan�s hiring goes a long way toward explaining the firing of Bill Gamble, who was blown out two weeks ago after only eight months as program director of WCFS and country sister station WUSN-FM (99.5). At the time, it was assumed Gamble�s ouster was strictly related to the departure of Dave Robbins, the general manager who�d hired him before being transferred by CBS Radio to Orlando, Fla. But it�s now clear the prospect of luring Ryan was a more significant factor in the move. A full-time program director for US 99.5 is expected to be named within a few weeks. : : Of his new role, Ryan said in a statement: : : �CBS Radio is known for being a destination where the industry�s strongest programmers grow and thrive. It is with great anticipation that I become a member of this elite team, and I am truly honored to be working with such leaders in the industry. I look forward to raising the profile of CBS Radio�s already distinguished AC stations, and working with the company�s immensely talented programming teams to reinforce and grow these notable assets.�

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