Clark to exit CBS Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh:CBS Pittsburgh VP of Programming Keith Clark has apparently resigned from his position effective October 1. Clark has been with the company for years having overseen programming for the former B-94 (93.7 WBZZ & WBZW) Star 100.7 (WZPT) and Country WDSY (107.9). Clark will be moving on to HD Velocity Broadcasting as Executive VP/Director of Private Entertainment where he will oversee new business development initiatives in the private entertainment and media sectors and over see the company's private performance platform "First Spin."
Velocity's President and CEO, Philip Elias tells All Access, "Keith brings such a depth of experience and passion for the music and entertainment industry to First Spin and Velocity Broadcasting. His addition will enable Velocity Broadcasting to open doors into the most well-known music and entertainment companies that are looking for new and innovative ways to engage fans."
Clark says he has become passionate about Velocity's vision and looks forward to join the company leading the ongoing development of the entertainment experience of the future.
Readers’ Forum
He has made a lot of mistakes with the hires he has made and with the mess that has been 93.7 over the last few years. I know the decision to switch formats wasn’t his but he didn’t do well with who he hired and how he executed the format changes. I hope they bring someone in with some new ideas and some new concepts but I don’t think we can expect that with Pittsburgh radio.
Ross Godlove - September 21, 2010 at 5:12 pm
I agree with the “not so flattering” public opinion of Clark’s managerial skills. I was a part-time Y108 staffer in the late 90s when deregulation ignited a frenzy of buy-outs and station swaps. At the time, ‘DVE ruled the ratings, with Y108 and B94 in a close race for 2nd place.
Almost the entire full-time Y108 airstaff was let go (Jimmy Roach, Mark Lyons, Rick Dalton). The remaining staff both full- and part-time were subject to so many imaging changes that it almost seemed like it was Clark’s intention disable Y108 to the point that B94 could surge into that coveted #2 spot (perhaps retaliation for Entercom’s “Rebel 104.7” bashing the “B” for so many years???). Personal vendetta…you decide.
Clark (in my personal opinion) was also very sneaky about implementing changes. He brought John Garabo on at 100.7 with all intentions of having him replace Jimmy Roach. We found out about these future plans via an M-Street daily fax long before anything official was ever mentioned at the station. The carry-over staff were made to feel “inferior” despite the fact that we were bringing in better numbers. Oh, I could go on and on!
Either way, good riddance, Keith. Don’t let the door… (you know!).
deerejohn - September 22, 2010 at 09:07 am