9/13/2004

Companies in this story CKWR 98.5 FM Articles in related categories Independent Broadcasters Marketing Radio - On Air

WATERLOO - CKWR FM 98.5 last week introduced a new image to the citizens of Cambridge, Kitchener, Waterloo, Guelph and surrounding area. A revamped look and new sound, 98.5 YOUR FM is a further investment in community events and values, says the station.

"While the newsroom is poised to tackle the issues that matter most to the region, there will be plenty of community talk about 'your' cities and 'your' lives as well as great music," says the press release.

"The radio station has always been very community-oriented, but with the arrival of 98.5 YOUR FM, we'll take that commitment to a whole new level. Listeners will note both a substance and style change. The changes that we are implementing today are the results of a major research project that indicate 'community counts,' with our 45-plus target audience and we're responding accordingly," said station manager Vic Folliott.

98.5 YOUR FM will feature a stronger commitment to community news with complete coverage every 60 minutes, Monday to Friday, with Stacey Englehart and Brad Skinner, while morning show host John Harada will interview community people and highlight community events.

This approach to community will continue with Fred Merritt from 9 a.m. through 2 p.m. and Vern Rombough from 2 p.m. until 6 p.m.

Folliott added, "The 'new' 98.5 YOUR FM is all about 'Community First,' which has been a station tag line for a number of years, but will now be a key component to this new imaging approach."

The station recently hired a full time volunteer co-ordinator through the HRDC Job Creation Partnership Program and Suz Maude has already been in contact with the Volunteer Action Centre, area school co-op programs and numerous other organizations to build a team of volunteers.

"The station already has an incredible history of volunteer commitment through its volunteer programmers who have handled all of the specialty and multicultural programming since CKWR signed on some 30 years ago. This new group of volunteers will handle various jobs around the station including reception, marketing, promotion and production, along with contacting community organizations to see how the station can help them."

98.5 YOUR FM's revised lineup includes:
John Harada Morning Show (6 - 9 a.m.): John Harada has been hosting morning radio shows in places, such as Sarnia and Halifax for more than 20 years. Harada, a father of two sons and a daughter -- all athletes -- brings curiosity, intelligence, and a whole lot of energy and a sense of humour to the morning show, while you savour your morning coffee and get ready for work. Co-host Stacey Englehart hails from the east and has a young family and brings that sensibility to the show. Stacey also will handle the morning news run on 98.5 YOUR FM.

Merritt in Stereo with Fred Merritt (9 a.m. - 2 p.m.): A veteran radio host in Kitchener-Waterloo, Merritt will pave the way for a fine day with his easy-going style, wit, sensitivity (Something to Think About) and penchant for cooking and fine dining (Recipe Corner).

Drive Show with Vern Rombough (2 - 6 p.m.): After hearing your boss talk all day, this K-W radio veteran broadcaster wraps-up your day with a great mix of the hits from the past 40 years and gets you home safely with traffic and weather updates.

98.5 YOUR FM News (6 a.m. - 6 p.m.): Stacy Englehart delivers the region's most compelling and interesting news stories until noon when Brad Skinner takes over, updating listeners with the latest news and information, as well as reviewing the stories and issues of the day until 6 p.m.

Additionally, there are specialty programs from 6 to 11 p.m., Monday to Friday, and multicultural programming in 11 different languages during the weekend.

For more, go to www.yourfm.ca.
 

 
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