Working at Cumulus Broadcasting — Reviews by Employees

I had very high hopes when our cluster was purchased by Cumulus. The local people were nice and we were made to feel as if we were all important assets to the group. That changed almost immediately.

The first indication of trouble was the endless series of "music calls." A large group of stations in the same format would be listening to the format director's weekly "schpiel" and then would be actually told the songs they were to add. Well, let's put it this way: at first the format director would name the songs he favored and then have each PD pipe up with "what they were looking at for the week." One could quickly pick up as everybody on the call "parroted" the very songs the format director had "suggested" that if somebody were to say, "No, I would rather add such and such," they would not have a job with Cumulus for very much longer.

The second thing I noticed was the complete disregard for anybody having a normal life AWAY from the station. I was a morning guy and a very successful one at that in every market I had been in. Most of it was because I worked VERY hard at it, but I was mainly successful because I was actually very DIFFERENT from the usual "cut and paste/dub the cheezy comedy bits" shows I was up against . A lot of that had to do with actually being out IN the market on MEANINGFUL appearances. Now they decided that what would "really 'win' " was to do the very things that everybody else was doing in town (and boring people with.) Quickly, my show was turned into the "pre-recorded lame bits and TV clips from last night" festival that I had always called "cookie-cutter." Just as quickly, and not surprisingly, the show began to tank with the listeners. Then management had the nerve to question my ability as a morning guy, even though my track record was nothing short of stellar until that point. (A fact I can back up with all the numbers and with clients to prove it!)

The third REAL red flag with Cumulus was their growing penchant for hiring complete "greenhorns" with awful voices and even LESS experience at using them to replace veteran people who mysteriously suddenly "didn't cut it anymore." Interesting how those who "didn't cut it" had been cutting it darn well for years. Not so surprising: the greenhorns worked for minimum wage and only part-time, which meant far more duties for the remaining vets. After a while--- "sounding good on the air (you know---Your PRODUCT?!?!?!) became dead last in priorities for many fantastic talents in the building as they scrambled around trying to multi-task with the website, promotions, voicetracking 3 other stations and more.

I could go on and on about the lies, stealing of accounts, spycams, reading of others' emails, arbitrary and senseless cuts just so that the kings of Atlanta could grab their annual bonuses, but most of that is now common knowledge. Some of that I understand, because it basically becomes a real life game of "SURVIVOR" played 6-7 days a week. The part I could not sit still for was the constant berating and horrible treatment of veterans who WERE "up to date" with computer skills, website know-how and other necessary skills----all in the hopes of forcing them out to hire more greenhorns or to save a salary. The TRUE pros were suddenly "worthless" to this company, and were made to feel like they would never work anyplace else once they were cut loose. Never mind that most of them had more practical knowledge of running a radio station than anybody in the markets they served. No......they were all made to feel like children and treated accordingly. The word "Gulag" has evidently become an underground nickname for Cumulus amongst those who remain with the company in more than one markets, as I have seen it pop up on this thread more than once. Sadly, it's close to the truth.

The scariest part of all is the chaotic way in which the upper management in Atlanta flips and flops, lurching in an alarmingly spastic fashion from one "hot new concept" to another that will "make millions"----almost ALL of which have laid big fat goose eggs or have already been done much more efficiently by other companies. There were frantic "corporate initiatives" passed down that essentially said "we don't care if your wife is IN LABOR, or you are having CHEST PAINS, we need a promo EVERY HOUR on our hot new "JOBS" website NOW!! Voice track mornings if need be to get it done!!!!" Almost every concept they have come up with has been mediocre at best-----at worst, a total failure which then is suddenly swept under the rug.

Here is the funny part. I LOVED most of the co-workers I had. Some of them were among the best I had every worked with in 25 years of on-air work, both personally and professionally. That goes for most of the sales people as well. Those who were "laid off" were tossed out like garbage after years of loyal service and threatened to be held to meaningless non-competes. However, due to selective enforcement, a lot of them have been able to (thankfully) land on their feet without uprooting and moving again. Not bad for people who suddenly "weren't up to the high standards of Cumulus."

Fortunately, I saw the handwriting on the wall and left shortly after the notorious bloodletting began last year. (You know....the "Bloody February" where hundreds of loyal hard working employees were laid off at the same time that some BONUS CHECKS with a LOT of zeros on them were being cashed by the "Lords of Atlanta?")

My assessment of Cumulus is this: If you THRIVE in an environment where you actually enjoy paranoia, distrusting managers, corporate micro managing that is done for ego rather than results, and long long hours for almost no recognition or chance to improve your own skills---You will LOVE this company. As for me, I moved back to a larger market for a different group. I think my blood pressure has been cut in half in the past year. And I am enjoying my job again.

I have only worked for this company for a short time and don't plan to stay one moment longer than it takes me to find another job. I can't express my disdain for the management here. I will say that I have made great friends of my coworkers who all seem to be looking for other jobs, but never have I been treated in the manner that I am being treated currently.

Management has the great ability to destroy it's employees quite methodically. From the deceptive interview process, the incomplete training, the lack of support, the robotic management to the micromanagement, the constant berating, this company seems to have the ability to suck any confidence one might have going into the job.

The expectations of the job are such that any resemblance of a personal life is unacceptable. Family relationships are not valued. I have been told repeatedly that though the hours here are 8:00 to 5:00, my administrative duties are to be done outside the office before 8:00 or after 5:00. We are actually told that other than meetings and call sessions we are not to be seen in the building. Daily recaps, calendars, numerous reports are redundant and wholly unnecessary.

I don't recommend anyone work here unless they have no intention of staying, and this company will change you for the worse.

It seems that the station managers have been softening their approach to workers, but I assume that is due to the ongoing class action lawsuit. In its core, Cumulus is a mean company that does not value its workers. Knowing what I know now, I would never recommend working at Cumulus to anyone. They should rename Cumulus "gulag" because working there feels like being in a Russian prison.

There was a time when working in radio was an enjoyable and profitable experience. That time was when you worked for anyone other than Cumulus. I have fortunately been able to leave, and within days I lost twenty pounds and all my hair grew back. Maybe I'm exaggerating. Maybe, but the relief to know that my mileage will be reimbursed, that I don't have to give out my personal cell phone number if I want to make a sale, I will be compensated for my insurance, and that I will have a base salary is incredible.
Cumulus is akin to one of those companies that prey on recent college graduates with promises of unlimited earnings potential and a fast track to management. The only difference with those companies and Cumulus is that you have a legitimate product (even if it is intangible and difficult to sell). The management is ineffective at best (let's face it, the company is led by a bunch of sales reps that had no real experience doing anything), and is responsible for creating a toxic environment in which the only thing that the staff can do is complain about the fact that they're still working at 8 at night without compensation for it.
Cumulus is the reason for the phrase "The radio industry is killing the radio industry."

i worked for this company in michigan for about 5 years. then one day they just came in and tossed me out on the street. They say it's cutbacks but I know it's because the guys at the top are greedy. I was only a producer making minimum wage but I felt threatened and harrassed on a daily basis. Thank God I don't work for these boneheads anymore.

Before you write this post off as just feedback from a bitter past sales person that lost their job, I should let you know that I’m still employed with the company. I’m looking, but I am still employed. As a matter of fact, I have been employed within the radio industry for years and worked for a couple different groups. This is an industry that I’ve enjoyed and career that I have found rewarding and loved until now. Leaving my former employer to work for Cumulus has been the worst decision I’ve ever made. What I’ve seen happen to employees and the morale within the office is disturbing. I’ve actually witnessed management using racial slurs and referring to staff members as stupid and or as idiots. Management makes it a practice to belittle and uses intimidation to motivate. HR violations and reports made to the corporate office appear to get swept under the carpet and ignored. I guess this conduct is viewed as OK as long as no actual lawsuit has been filed. How many complaints do you have to have before something is done? I honestly can’t say there is a single employee that is left here that enjoys their job. Everyone is looking and in time, these people will leave for better companies. I understand there is a class action suit underway. If only half of my former fellow sales members step up and tell their story, it could get ugly quick. Now multiply that by sixty something markets. Whatever you do, stay away from this company. They’ll tell you that they are “The Best Run Radio Company”. Don’t buy it! It’s just a cheap sales pitch.

Cumulus is the absolute WORST-run radio company in America. I've worked for Clear Channel and Citadel and they were both Utopia compared to Cumulus. Corporate in Atlanta consists of mean-spirited bullies who have no concern about anyone but themselves. They are truly an evil group. The CEO of Cumulus is actually an affable, intelligent person. His VP's are sinister and stupid and have the uncanny ability to suck the life and spirit out of everything they touch. The only positive thing I can say is that the pay was decent compared to what the competition pays. Save your money, though. It won't last long if you trust your livelihood to this group.

Cumulus isn't a bad company, it just needs more communication (like any radio station) from the Corporate Level --- down.

Without question the worst. Management ruling on whims. Their own and whatever decision Atlanta made that morning. Always threats on your job. Overt and subtle. It didn't matter. When they bought the cluster, it was family owned with long time established talent and sales. There's nobody left. I truly believe they thought everyone would stay with their ties to the community and children in schools, etc. Some of the stations literally have only one or two personalities on it. That's all. 1 or 2 for 24 hours, 7 days.
It's difficult leaving a profession I loved, but I did and I can't discourage anyone enough to stay away from this group. They'll steal your soul and then bitch about how awful it tastes.

Unfortunately, much of what you've read below is correct. No question, times are tough in this industry. Tough decisions needed to be made. This company was/is in survival mode. A company that is fighting for its life is going to make decisions that are not liked by everyone. I think this company has admittedly made mistakes. What seems like a logical decision in Atlanta--when put in place at the local level--is very difficult to execute. Life on the streets is much different than what the corporate executives think it is. Lew Dickey says his vision is to bring the sales staff to a more professional level--make it like the phamacuetical or software industries. Absolutely a great idea. However, you can't make those changes without making fundamental changes to the Cumulus compensation packages. Sales reps in these industries have modest base salaries, company paid phones, car allowance or company cars, lap tops and additional tools to do the job. As a sales rep at Cumulus, you are given none of these things. Nothing. You pay for your own cell phone, gas, car, insurance, computer, etc. Any professional sales person would expect more--so you end up surrounded by a sales staff of inexperienced sales people who revolve in and out at an amazing pace. As the "gaurunteed" salaries run out--so do the sales reps. The veteran sales people do well--but the days of sitting back and rolling in easy money are gone. Would I recomend this job for a friend or relative? No. But it is a job.