OSWEGO -- With so many choices on the radio dial, a clear, memorable logo is an important part of any station's branding strategy. And anytime a station "updates" its logo, it has to update lots of other things -- from letterhead and vehicles, to billboards, coffee mugs and ... mic flags. This week, a look at how WRVO's mic flag has evolved over the past 40+ years.
SYRACUSE -- It's been a full week since longtime WSYR radio talk show host Jim Reith was replaced by syndicated programming, as part of Clear Channel's latest nationwide "reduction in force." (Three others in Syracuse were also let go.) While quite a few naysayers were quick to express their delight with Reith's cancellation, many more fans have expressed hope he'll return. One fan has even launched an entire website devoted to getting Reith back on local airwaves.
SYRACUSE -- After working in various capacities at Cumulus Media's 95X (WAQX) for most of the past nine years, Kevin Keefe is moving upward -- both in terms of geography and title. As of next Monday, he'll officially start as the General Manager of a three-station cluster in Ogdensburg, along the Saint Lawrence River.
SYRACUSE -- If she's lucky, NewsChannel 9 (WSYR-TV) reporter Racquel Asa won't have to do any more live shots in mounds of lake effect snow. TVSpy.com says Asa is one of three new hires at ABC affiliate WFTV in Orlando, Florida. She's expected to report for duty in the Sunshine State "early next month."
SYRACUSE and UTICA/ROME -- Just like the previous few years, the start of November has brought about the start of wall-to-wall Christmas music on radios across Central New York. As expected, Galaxy's Classic Hits Sunny 102 (WZUN) in Syracuse and Hot AC Mix 102.5 (WUMX) in Utica/Rome are first to jump in the all-Christmas pool.
UTICA/ROME -- If the FCC approves (and we can't see why they wouldn't), it looks like WRUN-FM will soon officially drop the -FM suffix from its call sign. The station at 90.3FM, licensed to Remsen, simulcasts "Northeast Public Radio" from WAMC in Albany.
OSWEGO -- You already read here about Dave Bullard's recent move from WRVO to Syracuse ABC affiliate WSYR-TV. Now, we've learned a few others have recently exited the NPR affiliate on the SUNY Oswego campus. The station's GM confirms at least two others have left in what he's termed a staffing "reset."
SYRACUSE -- It doesn't matter whether you liked or hated Jim Reith's afternoon talk show -- if you listen to radio, chances are good you have an opinion about Clear Channel's decision to terminate Reith's position on FM Newsradio 106.9 and 570 WSYR earlier this week. And those opinions have been popping up all over -- on TV, in newspapers, and online.
UTICA/ROME -- Some national attention for morning show host Gary "Big Poppa" Spears at Kiss-FM (WSKS/WSKU), after an interview he conducted on-air yesterday morning caught the attention of famous celebrity news blogger Perez Hilton. Spears was chatting with American Idol season 3 finalist Diana DeGarmo, when she unleashed an interesting development about her love life.
PULASKI -- If you know anyone who enjoys fishing, chances are they've told you the stories about "the big one" they claim to have caught, or nearly caught... and you wonder if they're really telling the truth or spinning a tall tale. Well, for one fisherman who used to forecast the weather for Central New York TV viewers, there's no question about it -- he's got photographic evidence!