Harcourt exits to "build some equity for myself"

Nic Harcourt, KCRW's eclectic music tastemaker for 10 years, will leave the Santa Monica, Calif., station later this month. "It’s not the politician’s thing, like, ‘Oh, I’m spending more time with my kids'," Harcourt told the Los Angeles Times [scroll down]. "The bottom line is I’ve been in public radio for 10 years, and regardless of how great my job is, I make public radio money, and I have two 5 year-olds. I have to think about their future ... I’m going to busy. I’m looking forward to building some equity for myself." Harcourt looks to "explore new career opportunities and expand upon my other activities in movie, television, voice over work, advertising and the Internet," he said in a statement. Harcourt, music director and host of KCRW's signature program Morning Becomes Eclectic, will continue at the station as host of an as yet unnamed Sunday evening music show. In this 2005 profile of Harcourt, the New York Times Magazine describes Harcourt as "the country's most important disc jockey and a genuine bellwether."

Inquirer questions compensation for WHYY chief

WHYY in Philadelphia distinguishes itself among public broadcasting outlets for excessive compensation of its chief executive, the Philadelphia Inquirer reported yesterday. Citing the latest tax filing for Philly's major pubcasting outlet, the Inquirer reported that President and CEO William Marrazzo's total compensation of $740,090 in 2007 included $415,993 in salary, $317,240 in benefits and $6,857 in expenses. "Marrazzo's total outstripped that of chief executives at WNET and WGBH, with five and six times WHYY's revenues," the Inquirer reported. "It also exceeded the compensation of the heads of the Public Broadcasting System and National Public Radio, networks that serve stations countrywide." Board Chairman Jerry Sweeney told the Inquirer that Marrazzo's compensation is tied to performance and necessary to retain him as top executive. "The board takes the long view, which is we want a platinum station," Sweeney said. "Marrazzo is the guy who executes all that."