LAist’s Southern California Public Radio Taps Univision’s Alejandra Santamaria as New President and CEO
variety.comMichael Schneider Variety Editor at Large Alejandra Santamaria has been named the new president and CEO of Southern California Public Radio, which oversees KPCC-FM (“LAist 89.3″), LAist.com and podcast producer LAist Studios.
Santamaria was most recently interim president, general manager and VP, director of sales for Univision Los Angeles. She replaces Herb Scannell, who recently retired from the job at SCPR.
Santamaria takes over Southern California Public Radio at a difficult moment for the pubcaster, which recently cut its staff by 28 people — including 21 voluntary buyouts and another seven layoffs.
SCPR said the job cuts were meant to bridge the gap due to “a significant budget shortfall over the next two years in the range of $4 million to $5 million.” SCPR said the shortfall comes due to “a decline in advertising, the end of our investment reserves, slower-than-anticipated digital monetization, and overall cost increases that have not kept pace with revenue.” The org also reduced senior leader compensation, renegotiated contracts and cut some third-party costs.
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