Audacy, a major audio content and entertainment company, has announced a significant organizational restructuring. The company is moving away from its traditional market-based structure to adopt a content-first model. This change aims to better leverage Audacy's extensive talent and scale in today's digital, multi-market environment.
Key Takeaways
- Audacy is transitioning from a market-based structure to a content-first model.
- Programming and content teams will now organize by format verticals (news, sports, country, alternative).
- This change intends to enhance collaboration, resource sharing, and expertise across markets.
- Regional leadership roles are being realigned, creating larger regional groupings.
- The shift aims to make Audacy more agile and future-facing, while maintaining a commitment to local radio.
New Content-First Approach
The core of Audacy's new strategy involves organizing programming and content teams by specific format verticals. Instead of operating primarily by geographic market, teams will now focus on categories such as news, sports, country, and alternative music. This allows for a more unified approach to content creation and distribution.
Kelli Turner, Audacy CEO, explained that the traditional market-based model no longer optimally serves the business in the current digital landscape. She emphasized the goal of leveraging the company's significant talent and scale more effectively. This shift is expected to foster stronger collaboration and more efficient resource sharing across all markets.
"For decades, radio has been organized by market geography," Turner wrote in a memo to staff. "This legacy model doesn’t best serve our business in today’s digital, multi-market landscape, or leverage the extraordinary talent and scale we have within our formats."
Fact Check
- All programming teams and content operations are now aligned by vertical.
- Brand Managers will report directly to their respective Format VPs.
Leadership Realignment for Programming and Revenue
To implement this new content strategy, Audacy has made key leadership appointments. Chris Oliviero, who serves as Chief Business Officer and New York Market President, will now oversee Programming, Podcast, and Product. He will continue to report directly to CEO Kelli Turner, ensuring alignment with the company's overall vision.
Reporting to Oliviero are Leah Reis-Dennis, who will continue to lead podcast strategy, and John Pacino, overseeing product development. Jeff Sottolano will continue to manage programming, working closely with Audacy's central team and format vice presidents. This structure aims to centralize expertise and streamline content delivery.
On the revenue generation side, Chief Revenue Officer Bob Philips and EVP of Revenue Operations Liz Mozian will now report directly to Turner. This direct reporting line is designed to ensure that Audacy's sales strategies evolve in parallel with its content operations, creating a more integrated business model.
Industry Context
The media landscape has seen significant shifts with the rise of digital platforms and on-demand content. Traditional broadcasters are adapting to these changes by integrating digital strategies and optimizing their internal structures to compete effectively in a multi-platform environment. Audacy's move reflects a broader industry trend towards specialization and scale in content production.
Updated Regional Leadership Structure
Alongside the content-first shift, Audacy has also adjusted its regional leadership. This follows Brian Purdy's transition from Regional President to Senior Advisor. The markets previously under Purdy's oversight have been reallocated among the remaining Regional Presidents, resulting in larger regional groupings.
The updated regional structure is as follows:
- Jeff Federman will lead the West region. This includes major markets such as Denver, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Portland, Riverside, San Diego, San Francisco, Sacramento, and Seattle.
- Mark Hannon will oversee the expansive East and Central region. His responsibilities cover Atlanta, Austin, Baltimore, Boston, Buffalo, Chicago, Cleveland, Dallas, Detroit, Hartford, Houston, Kansas City, Madison, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Norfolk, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Providence, Richmond, Rochester, Springfield, St. Louis, Washington, DC, Wichita, and Wilkes-Barre.
- Claudia Menegus will manage the Southeast region. This includes Chattanooga, Gainesville, Greensboro, Greenville, Memphis, Miami, New Orleans, and Orlando.
These changes are designed to support Audacy’s long-term strategy. The company aims to build a more agile and forward-looking organization. Despite these significant structural changes, Audacy reaffirms its strong commitment to local radio. The leadership believes these adjustments will strengthen the company as the business environment continues to evolve.
"Both of these changes — being content-first and creating larger regional groups — continue to support our goals of creating an agile, dynamic, future-facing Audacy," Turner stated. "Local radio remains a lifeblood, and this helps make us even stronger and better as the business evolves."
Focus on Agility and Future Growth
The overarching goal of this reorganization is to position Audacy for sustained growth in a rapidly changing media landscape. By centralizing content creation around specific formats, the company can streamline operations, reduce redundancy, and potentially improve the quality and consistency of its offerings across all platforms.
The larger regional groupings for market presidents allow for a more focused approach on revenue generation at the local level. This structure frees market leaders to concentrate on sales and local partnerships, while content strategy is managed centrally. This dual approach aims to balance broad strategic goals with local market needs.
Audacy's transformation highlights the ongoing evolution within the broadcasting industry. Companies are adapting to consumer preferences for digital content and multi-platform access. This strategic overhaul represents a significant step towards modernizing operations and capitalizing on digital opportunities while preserving the value of traditional radio.