After joining Red Apple Media in May to help launch its Worldwide News Network, Lee Harris has exited the company. According to a company spokesperson, Harris was asked to depart the operation over differences linked to his leadership style.
Harris spent more than three decades at WINS Radio in New York and also held the role of Director of Integrated Operations for NewsNation. He was hired as VP of News for both WABC Radio and Worldwide News Network on May 4, in a move designed to launch WWNN the moment CBS News Radio ceased operations later that month. Harris quickly added Senior VP stripes on June 18.
In e-mail comments sent to Radio Ink partner publication RBR+TVBR, Red Apple Media owner John Catsimatidis offered an explanation of the events leading up to Harris’ exit.
“WABC wants everyone to know that we are a team, and we are a family,” he said. “We care about our people. Lee Harris has resigned [Wednesday] afternoon. After coming back from medical leave, WABC defended a long-time employee that was not being given the opportunity to succeed. WABC could not stand by and watch while the well-being of our employee went by the wayside. I defend our employees in all our companies. To not give a long-time employee a chance to succeed without even having meet them was outrageous and disheartening.”
