Clear Channel cuts jobs as economy sours

The parent of Clear Channel Communications Inc. told workers on Tuesday that it is cutting 1,850 jobs as the nation’s largest owner of radio stations grapples with the economic meltdown.

The cuts represent about 9 percent of the company’s total work force and affect staff throughout the company, in radio, outdoor advertising and corporate offices.

A handful of jobs were eliminated at the Mahoning Valley Clear Channel offices in Boardman, possibly including at least one on-air personality. Officials at the local office referred inquiries to Lisa Dollinger, Clear Channel’s chief communication officer.

Dollinger would not release the number of local layoffs or their names, and said the company is not commenting on the layoffs.

Clear Channel’s local stations include WKBN (570 AM), WNCD (93.3 FM), WBBG (106.1 FM), WNIO (1390 AM), WMXY (98.9 FM) and WAKZ (95.9 FM).

Clear Channel operates more than 800 radio stations reaching more than 110 million listeners in 50 states, including than 70 stations in Ohio, according to its Web site.

Read more in Thursday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com