Over 28 years, Rob Stadler survived name changes, management shifts, new owners – until now. CREDIT: Star 94
By RODNEY HO/ rho@ajc.com, originally filed Monday, August 31, 2015
According to three sources, Rob Stadler has lost his job as news director at the pop station after an incredible 28 years there.
Stadler arrived when the station was still 94Q and survived the transition to Star 94 in 1989. He endured changing morning shows (Steve & Vikki, the Morning Mess, Cindy & Ray, Cindy & Jimmy and now Drex, Cassiday and Tingle). He survived two previous owners and several program directors.
But a news director at a top 40 station is a luxury in the much more austere radio landscape of 2015.
Entercom took over just a few weeks ago and clearly wanted to cut costs because Stadler wasn’t the only casualty.
Night jock Donny Michaels was cut as well though he wasn’t even there a year. New program director Tony Lorino, who has done on-air shifts in other markets, is covering for him tonight.
It’s been a brutal August for Atlanta radio vets.
- Rene Miller and Carol Blackmon lost their jobs at Majic 107.5/97.5
- Emperor Searcy was out at Hot 107.9
- Jordan Graye decided not to re-up at B98.5
Over the past 14 years, whenever I attended a Star 94 event, promotions man Mike Moshure was there. When I saw him at Star just a few days after Entercom took over, I placed my hand on his shoulder and said, “You’re a survivor!”
Sigh… He was let go as well. His FB page note:
Parting is such sweet sorrow……Today was my last day at Star 94 as my position has been “eliminated.” It’s hard to put 14+ years into perspective but I had some amazing experiences, met life-long friends and even met my wife Jennie because of Star 94. My immediate plans are to spend some time with my family, decompress and then work on finding a new career. If anyone knows of a company looking for a marketing guy, let me know as I am excited to see what the future holds.
Current GM Mike Fowler didn’t respond to an email this afternoon seeking comment.
There have been rumors within the radio community that Entercom, which owns a stand-alone FM in this market (plus a not terribly valuable AM signal that used to be 790/The Zone), might swap the station with a CBS station in another market. This would give CBS three FM signals in Atlanta instead of two (92.9/The Game and V-103.)
In this age of consolidation, market clusters provide more cover and more leverage than a single station.
Read my story from a month ago about Entercom’s promise to reinvigorate the Star 94 brand.
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