And the now former CMG RVP is headed to Entercom where she will retain the same title, but it’s unknown exactly where she’ll be working just yet. There’s some speculation it may be out on the West Coast. Her entire team in Orlando and Jacksonville were caught completely off guard by the change as it appears was CMG EVP of Radio Bill Hendrich.
Hendrich showed up unannounced at the Orlando stations Tuesday and told the staff Larkin was gone. He appeared to be as surprised just as much as Larkin’s former staff was. There is no word yet on who will run those two Florida markets. Hendrich is now searching for her successor. Entercom says the markets Larkin will be responsible for will be announced when the merger with CBS is complete. She ran 14 stations for CMG in Florida.
With the Entercom, CBS merger moving full speed ahead, it’s obvious that company is in growth mode, offering star radio managers more opportunity than a company like CMG, at least for now. That may be the reason Larkin jumped ship from a company she’s been with since 2006. She was clearly a rising star withing the radio industry and CEO David Field has been putting his new management team in place as that deal gets closer to the finish line.
In a Tuesday afternoon press release Larkin said, “I am thrilled to join Entercom, a company I respect as one of the best broadcasters in the country. I am looking forward to being part of the company’s growing team of outstanding industry leaders.”
Entercom COO Weezie Kramer said, “Susan is a highly respected and top-performing radio veteran with a winning track record. At Entercom, we are committed to being a best-in-class organization with A-level talent, and we are excited to have Susan on board with us at this transformational time.”
Along with her Cox Media Group experience, Larkin earlier served as a GSM for ABC-Disney Radio in Minneapolis and as a national sales manager and account manager in Columbus, Tampa, and Syracuse. She said, “I am thrilled to join Entercom, a company I respect as one of the best broadcasters in the country. I am looking forward to being part of the company’s growing team of outstanding industry leaders.”
Larkin is currently on the executive board for the RAB and is the radio vice chair for the Florida Association of Broadcasters.
