The decision to scrub the Leukemia 24-hour "Cure-a-Thon" is one of the very first major decisions to affect KGO Radio in its post-Mickey Luckoff era.
Although the decision to shelve the 30-year charity that raised over $18 million was made months ago, the fact its now public is a shock to both the on and off-air station personnel, in addition to the NC Leukemia Society staff that depended on it as both a significant fundraiser and promotional event.
Luckoff, who resigned late last year, fed up with a corporate owner, (Citadel Broadcasting), that is a notorious penny-pincher, was instrumental in both the evolution and undertaking of the Cure-a-Thon. It not only was a huge success raising money for a worthy cause, but also a major part of KGO's community outreach.
There's heavy speculation that once Luckoff exited KGO, top Citadel brass, among other moves, was ready to move past the annual 24-hour event as just another way to cut costs and, more importantly perhaps, give Luckoff a little payback. It was Luckoff, remember, who left with some highly publicized parting shots to Citadel and its notorious COO, Fareed Suleman.
Petty? Yes. And a looming PR abyss for KGO and its listeners.
If they wanted to do away with the cure-a-thon event, the least they could have done was give the LLS notice that this year's would be the last and done it for the last time. That's a big chunk of change to have to make up in a poor economy.
ReplyDeletePoor taste.
ReplyDeleteBad timing.
Greed?
Luckoff was the one who killed the Cure-A-Thon at the end of the last one broadcast...Not the current management.
ReplyDeleteBTW the man's name is spelled Farid.
The fact that LLS would never spend any of their advertising dollars on KGO, but was happy to take 24 hours and millions of dollars from KGO listeners did not please Luckoff at all.
No one will take the Cure-a-Thon...The LLS had over a years notice that it was over. No one is gonna give away their stations programing for 24hrs.