Philly Radio: Report...Jon Marks To EXIT WPEN 97.5 FM

Jon Marks

Jon Marks, a co-host on WPEN 97.5 FM The Fanatic’s Mornings with Anthony Gargano, has decided to leave the station after his contract expires on Oct. 20, sources confirmed to the Crossing Broad blog

According to philly.com, Marks, who started as an intern when WPEN first became a sports station in 2005 (as Sports Talk 950 AM), joined Gargano when the former 94.1 WIP host jumped to the Fanatic to launch the station’s first morning show in an attempt to compete with longtime ratings champ Angelo Cataldi of WIP.

Neither Marks nor management at The Fanatic would comment about the pending exit. There is also no indication WIP has tried to recruit Marks for its open afternoon shift vacated by the firing of Josh Innes. Since it’s likely Marks has a non-compete clause, it’s doubtful WIP would be willing to keep the slot vacant throughout the Eagles season.

More belt-tightening expected

In an investor presentation last week, Beasley detailed how it plans to save nearly $1.9 million at its four stations in Philadelphia, which in addition to The Fanatic include WMMR 93.3 FM, WMGK 102.9 FM, and WBEN 95.7 FM. According to the report, the two-step cost-cutting approach will “be driven primarily by headcount as well as compensation/contract expense reductions.”

Phase 1 of Beasley’s plan would involve cuts at the corporate level through the elimination of executive management and duplicative departments, as well as cuts to travel, entertainment expenses and Greater Media’s company newsletter. Phase 2 would be savings realized through lowering health care costs and renegotiating contracts with on-air talent.

Whatever cuts and cost savings come when Beasley takes over will just be the latest cutbacks Greater Media employees have been forced to endure. Ahead of the sale, all four Philadelphia stations were hit with layoffs, with WMMR receiving the brunt of the cuts. Nearly half the positions cut were part-time.

The deal is expected to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2016. Once it’s done, the Philadelphia cluster of stations is expected to account for 19 percent of the combined company’s overall revenue.