Forget "New & Improved", This Is The BEST!

One of the greatest challenges in keeping a product marketable, is the continual effort to keep it new, exciting and enjoyable. 

When that product is a radio station, the challenges can be immense. 

Within the next 12 hours, WAJI 95.1, formerly Majic 95.1, formerly WFWQ 95Q, formerly Rock 95, formerly WPTH, will, again "rebrand" itself as The New 95.1 Best FM. 

Online Radio media outlet Radioinsight.com reports: "the station will become “95.1 Best-FM” on Thursday, as it repositions to join the Adult Contemporary trend of reaching younger demographics. The “Majic” brand had a nearly 30 year heritage in the market, being in the AC format since 1985."

The "rebranding/repositioning/reconfiguring" comes just days after morning host Dirk Rowley left the station for the bright lights, stardom, and free jelly donuts offered by WISE TV. 

The Maven sees Mr. Rowley's departure as just the first step in piloting The New 95.1 Best FM in search of younger, more desirable listeners. Those are the same younger, more affluent people said to be snapping up those $400,000 urban condos, and single handedly rescuing our downtown from years of malaise and turmoil.

So, time will tell if 95.1 Best FM can tap into the over-privileged, upwardly mobile, young, environmentally responsible, socially elite who will soon populate our downtown. The Maven wishes them well. 

Oh, and they may want to call that guy that does their website, as well. 

A Class Act

When the Maven first got wind of Jeannette Hendrix Rinard's impending departure from the morning show on WAJI 95.1, it seemed like a scenario that we see all too often in radio these days. A popular station jettisoning talented, long time personnel based up on the whims of spineless General managers fueled by the cold and uncaring calculations of some non-radio bean counter at some far off corporate headquarters.  

Upon further investigation, this is not the case. After a quarter century in the business, the last 16 at WAJI 95.1, Ms Rinard's departure is of her own choosing and is the beginning of a career she will certainly love. Beginning next school year "Jnet", as her radio friends call her, will become  an Interactive Media Instuctor at the Four County Area Vocational Cooperative and will afford her more time with her family and more opportunities to serve her community.. 

Her tearful goodbye to her listeners and co-host Dirk Rowley, was one of the most genuine and touching moments the Maven has ever heard on the radio in a very long time. Kudos to WAJI 95.1 management for allowing Jeannette to complete her last show with the same amount of dignity and class that she has always projected. 

Best wishes, Jeannette....you will be missed.