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| Leslie Keiling |
Keiling has worked with such iconic personalities as Larry, Lujack, Steve Dahl, Gary Meier, John Landecker, John Williams, Steve Cochran, Jonathan Brandmeier and others.
Like most traffic reporters in Chicago radio, she was not actually an employee of the station she was heard on. In Keiling's case, she was an employee of Shadow/Metro/Total Traffic until 2013, until WGN Radio switched to Radiate Media to save some money. Keiling then switched over to Radiate to remain on WGN-AM. She was an employee of the traffic service, exclusively used for WGN-AM as part of the traffic company's contract with the radio station.
This weekend, according to Chicagoland Radio&Media, WGN-AM management informed Radiate Media they no longer wished to use Keiling's services, effectively killing her position with the traffic service and releasing her.
On her Twitter account over the weekend, Keiling said the following: "Looks like I'm going to have some free time. Will miss my WGN family."
Soon after, Todd Manley, WGN Radio Vice President of Content and Programming, sent out a station-wide email announcing the forced exit of Keiling, saying the following:
"Leslie Keiling has been a fixture in WGN Traffic Central for well over a decade and will long be remembered for going above and beyond to prep her day with intelligent conversation and an amazing respect for those who preceded her in the WGN PM drive traffic chair. As of Friday, Leslie is on to the next chapter in her illustrious career. Leslie was a Radiate Media employee, but she's always been family at WGN. It is hard not to be in awe of how she deftly bounced traffic, laughter, and debate among our town's most gifted and challenging personalities. Thank you Leslie, for your always tenacious talents."
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| Esmeralda Leon |
A Joliet native who studied communications at DePaul University, Leon began her career as an intern and program assistant for Jonathon Brandmeier’s former morning show at WLUP 97.9 FM.
She joined Radiate Media as a traffic editor and reporter in 2013.
Is WGN mgt. trying to sink this ship?...seems so..
ReplyDeleteWGN said they were trying to get the house in order again after the previous managers had tried their hand at altering a "sure thing". Now Leslie has been removed (along with John Williams after the big to do about his short lived return). Leslie and John will be missed from the daily line up.
ReplyDeleteJohn Williams is still on WGN only on Saturdays don't give them up missing during the weekdays though
DeleteHello Roe Conn and Esmerelda. Goodbye to Leslie and definitely goodbye to WGN.
ReplyDeleteShe was the only reason to listen to this station. A whiz kid strikes again.
I agree!
DeleteI listen to John Williams on Saturday Leslie i miss her voice her mind she is all some WLS am 890 it sounds good these days Brandmeier soon to come Steve in the afternoon goodbye to WGN AM sorry
ReplyDeleteI like Esmeralda. New blood is always good. WGN definitely needed a change and they started with Judy and Kathy. Too bad they are back but during the week it is with pleasure that I listen to the new WGN lineup.
ReplyDeleteWGN is sinking! John Williams gone during the week, and now Leslie Keiling? I can't even understand what Roe Con is saying!
ReplyDeleteGood bye WGN. Keep up the good work and you won't have any listeners to complain!