The Think Tank: Twitter is in trouble

Twitter’s path under Elon Musk follows those of other media companies  In the 37 years I’ve followed media, I have never seen a media company – social or not – that’s been run into the ground quicker than what I’m seeing with Elon Musk and Twitter. In the sixteen years I’ve written this blog, I’ve written about how egotism and […]

Think Tank Express: President Trump – the ultimate embarrassment

President Trump’s lackluster response to tragic events in Charlottesville proves he and other politicians don’t care about us and we must fend for ourselves  [Warning: Contains strong language. Reader discretion is advised.] If you’ve read this blog in the past, you know about the shoddy “leadership” you’ve seen in the media business. The names are familiar: Jeff Zucker, Ben Silverman, Randy […]

T Dog’s Think Tank: The “R” word

Chicago sports teams now have something in common with media companies – rebuilding when the good times end  Chicagoans better get used to a word they’ve been hearing a lot: rebuild. Last week, two of Chicago’s sports franchises – the Bulls and Blackhawks announced changes that dramatically overhauled their lineups for next season. On the day of the NBA Draft, […]

T Dog’s Think Tank: T Dog Media at 10

Happy anniversary to T Dog Media! It’s a different media world today than it was when I started this. As we mark the ten-year anniversary of T Dog Media this weekend, I would like to take a look back – not at dopey posts from the early years such as these (really bad idea)…or getting involved in feuds (Wil Wheaton and […]

Think Tank Express: Cumulus needs a lesson in customer relations

Once again, Cumulus is clueless on customer service Usually on this blog, yours truly often laments the state of Chicago radio, with some of the stations run by clueless idiots who make managers at your local Arby’s more competent by comparison. But when it involves Cumulus… no market – large or small – is safe. Take what happened last week at […]

Cumulus fires Jan Jeffries

It’s nice to have friends in high places… until they leave you in the lurch. That’s what exactly happened to Jan Jeffries, the one-time radio personality who rose through ranks to an executive position at one of America’s largest radio chains. Cumulus fired Jeffries Tuesday, only three months after he relocated to Washington D.C. to run ratings-challenged Hot Adult Contemporary outlet […]

T Dog’s Media Notepad: Landecker exits WLS-FM

– Mr. Records has called it a career: John Landecker, whose middle name is really “Records”, is exiting Cumulus-owned WLS-FM today. The move coincides with the arrival of new program director Brian Thomas from New York City’s Cumulus station, WNSH-FM (Nash 94.7, a Country station). Landecker said the departure of former PD Jan Jeffries had nothing to do with his decision to […]

WLS-FM dumps Oldies for Classic Hits

In a huge sweeping change, Cumulus’ WLS-FM (94.7) has undergone a format change – the first in approximately seven years – from Oldies to Classic Hits, focusing on more 1970’s and 1980’s rock songs. In addition, WLS-FM program director Jan Jeffries realigned the DJ shifts, replacing previously morning personality Dave Fogel (who was let go last Thursday) with a returning […]