Clear Channel veteran expected to play a big role at Tribune

RADIO VETERAN EXPECTED TO PLAY A BIG ROLE AT TRIBUNE
[SOURCE: Los Angeles Times, AUTHOR: Michael A. Hiltzik and Thomas S. Mulligan]
Randy Michaels, a veteran broadcasting executive with long-term ties to Sam Zell, will play an important role at Tribune Co. after Zell, as expected, takes over as chairman this week. He probably focus on Tribune's broadcast and interactive businesses. The company owns 23 television stations, including Superstation WGN, and such interactive properties as CareerBuilder, a rapidly growing help-wanted website. Most recently, Michaels has been chief executive of Local TV, a chain of nine mid-size Midwestern television stations acquired in May with the backing of Oak Hill Capital, a private equity firm run by Fort Worth investor Robert Bass. Under Michaels, the chain has emphasized live local newscasts as audience builders. Michaels, 55, last worked for Zell at Jacor Communications Inc., a radio chain Zell bought in 1993 and sold at a huge profit in 1998 to Clear Channel Communications Inc. He helped build Clear Channel into a network of 1,200 stations coast to coast. But he had also alienated record companies by exploiting the company's market strength to build its concert business, forcing the industry to do business with both units. Critics also blamed him for homogenizing local radio, a reference to Clear Channel's use of disc jockeys operating out of a centralized location but projecting the impression that they were locally based. Although Michaels helped implement the policy at Clear Channel, it is not certain he originated it.
http://www.latimes.com/business/printedition/la-fi-michaels20dec20,1,524...
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