WFRG

Regent’s Utica-Rome cluster is losing two key players.  According to job postings on AllAccess.com, longtime Production Director Geoff Storm and Big Frog 104 (WFRG) midday hostess “Meredith McGreen” are both leaving the cluster’s River Road studios in Marcy.

UPDATED (1:05PM) – The 2008 New York State Broadcasters Association “Awards for Excellence in Broadcasting” have been unveiled.  We now have a complete list of winners, and they include stations in all four markets we cover… for a total of 11 radio awards, and at least 2 TV awards for former radio reporters.

As it gets later and later into June, many observers are watching and wondering: how come there’s been no word yet from Clear Channel about B104.7’s annual “BJAM” concert?  Has this long-running tradition run its course? 

Last weekend marked the 20th anniversary of Big Frog 104’s “Frogfest Music Festival” at Verona Beach State Park.  Instead of going for the usual “air staff plus celebrity” shot, we found a few listeners who went the extra mile to get into the Frog spirit.

From the “Where Are They Now?” file, Thomas “Jake” Jacobsen has been promoted to Operations Manager of Regent’s Albany cluster.  Before going to Albany, Jacobsen had programmed WFRG in Utica and WFRY in Watertown.

We told you last week that WIBX News Director Stacey Lynn McAdams moved to mornings on sister station WFRG, to fill the morning show co-host position vacated by Annie Croakley.  Now, somewhat of a “reverse trade,” as one of Big Frog 104’s part-time jocks temporarily adds news reporting duties for WIBX.

Big Frog 104 (WFRG) has a new co-host for longtime morning personality Matt Herkimer, replacing “Annie Croakley,” who left earlier in the year.  Thanks to a tip from a CNYRadio.com visitor a few weeks ago, we were expecting this one anytime now — and we now finally see confirmation on WFRG’s new website.

An observant CNYRadio.com reader alerted us of some brand-new websites for the Utica-Rome cluster of Regent Communications stations.  For those of you who like to get technical, our tipster also mentioned the websites have switched from PHP-based technology to ASP-technology.

Echoing what has been reported in many national trades lately, small-market radio is often doing better than large-market radio.  And that holds true for Regent Communications.  In the company’s Q4 2007 Earnings Conference Call this week, CEO Bill Stakelin cited growth for several of the company’s markets, including Utica-Rome.  In fact, Stakelin specifically gave the

Without much fanfare, WRUN 1150 AM switched formats last week. The Utica-Rome station, which has gone through several format changes over the past few years, is now carrying ABC’s Stardust satellite network and is being branded locally as “Velvet 1150, your unforgettable memories station.”