WICC Expands, Rebrands: ‘Voice Of Connecticut’
• UPDATED with job posting: In the wake of the demise of heritage News-Talk WCBS 880/New York, Connoisseur Media announces a significant milestone for one of its flagship stations — WICC 600 AM/Bridgeport has rebranded as “The Voice of Connecticut” and has expanded its reach by simulcasting on sister 95.9 WFOX, formerly Classic Rock 95.9 The Fox.
A pivotal part of this transformation is WICC’s new affiliation with CBS News, which will provide reliable national news coverage at the top of every hour. “This rebranding and expansion to 95.9 FM represents a pivotal moment for WICC,” said Keith Dakin, VP of Programming for Connoisseur Media. “The talent on our team, coupled with our new affiliation with CBS News, will allow us to meet the demand for news and talk programming in Southern Connecticut. We’re excited about this next phase and looking forward to serving a much wider geography and bigger audience.”
A new local daytime show from noon-2pm will debut on Sept. 30m hosted by major market radio and television veteran Brigitte Quinn, who was the creator, host, and Managing Editor of Newsline on WCBS 880. She was the station’s first female morning-drive anchor and later anchored mornings on 1010WINS. The addition of Quinn from noon-2pm will localize the station’s entire daytime lineup, along with Melissa in the Morning (5-10am), Lisa Wexler (10am-noon) and Paul Pacelli (2-6pm). “Ever since my family and I moved back to beautiful Connecticut, I’ve become a faithful WICC listener,” Quinn said. “I’m delighted to be joining such a great News-Talk radio station, ‘The Voice of Connecticut.”
New additions to weekend programming also include Emmy nominee Chef Plum, Mike Cerulli of WTNH, and Dave Ruden of The Ruden Report covering local high school sports.
• There is, however, still one missing piece to complete the all-new “The Voice Of Connecticut” — a full-time news reporter who will work with Melissa Sheketoff during Melissa in the Morning and then hit the street, gathering info and reporting live from various news events. “They would be a big piece of the new direction of WICC,” says Keith Dakin, who is actively soliciting resumes and interesting audio/video (aircheck, podcast, YouTube, etc.), which can be sent to him directly at keith.dakin@connoisseurct.com.
“We invite Fairfield County listeners to tune in to ‘The Voice of Connecticut,'” said Kristin Okesson, SVP of Connoisseur Media Connecticut. “Our affiliation with CBS News paired with these exciting changes in programming reinforces our commitment to deliver modern, engaging content and we’re confident that our audiences will appreciate the new ‘voice’ they hear. I’m especially proud that our daytime shows are hosted by four incredibly talented hosts — three of them in particular are outstanding women in their own right.”
