Re: CBS eyes opening for new radio programming boss

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: Rod Zimmerman knows very little about radio. : : Chicago�s seven CBS Radio stations could be in line for a new programming czar. : : Although that�s not what they�re calling the position � the official title would be vice president of programming � the job description says the person would be �responsible for ultimate ratings success and digital initiatives for [the] diverse group of radio stations.� : : Rod Zimmerman, senior vice president and market manager of CBS Radio in Chicago, confirmed that he�s posted an opening for someone to oversee all of the stations from a �product standpoint.� He didn�t say when he expected to fill the position, but other sources said it could be soon. : : The opening was made possible by the departure last February of Dave Robbins, former vice president and general manager of country WUSN-FM (99.5) and adult contemporary WCFS-FM (105.9), who was shifted to manage CBS Radio�s three-station cluster in Orlando, Fla. In addition to his main duties here, Robbins had nominal oversight over programming, but asserted little authority in that area. : : None of the current CBS Radio program directors in Chicago is under consideration for the position. They include Todd Cavanah of rhythmic Top 40 WBBM-FM (96.3) and adult hits WJMK-FM (104.3); Ron Gleason of all-news WBBM-AM (780), Mitch Rosen of sports/talk WSCR-AM (670); and Norm Winer of adult rock WXRT-FM (93.1). Jim Ryan, who recently was named program director of WCFS (as well as New York �Fresh� sister station WWFS-FM), spends only two days a week in the market. WUSN has been without a program director since Bill Gamble exited at the end of March. : : The new vice president of programming is expected to double as program director of one or more stations. Unless that station is only WUSN, it could trigger a further realignment of duties in the market. : : One name that insiders say isn�t on Zimmerman�s list of candidates � but should be � is Tom Langmyer, vice president and general manager of news/talk WGN-AM (720). It�s a job for which Langmyer likely would be better suited than the one he now holds in which he�s straitjacketed between two radio renegades � Tribune Co. CEO Randy Michaels and WGN program director Kevin Metheny. : : Zimmerman and Langmyer are old friends who worked together in St. Louis, where Zimmerman ran KMOX-AM and Langmyer headed programming at the legendary news/talk station. Langmyer eventually moved up to vice president and general manager of KMOX and national vice president of programming for CBS Radio�s 10 news/talk stations before joining WGN in 2005. : : The upcoming programming realignment could coincide with the consolidation of all CBS Radio operations under one roof. In just two weeks, WSCR will become the last of the company�s Chicago radio stations to move its studios and offices to Two Prudential Plaza, 180 N. Stetson. : : : (Robert Feder, Vocalo)

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