Press Communications has announced the hiring of Robby Bridges as Program Director of Classic Rock “107.1 The Boss” WWZY Long Branch/99.7 WBHX Tuckerton NJ with Bridges and his wife Rochelle Gagnon hosting mornings.
Bridges will take over the programming of WWZY from VP/Programming Jeff Rafter as he prepares to retire reporting first to Rafter and then Press CEO Robert MacAllan. Gagnon will be involved in the social media strategy and marketing of the show and podcast.
The couple recently announced their upcoming departure from MacDonald Garber Broadcasting, which they had joined in March 2020 with Bridges also serving as Vice President of Programming for the company and Program Director of WKHQ and Gagnon Director of Promotions and Marketing for the company. They previously worked together at Cumulus Media Detroit where they co-hosted afternoons at Hot AC 96.3 WDVD in addition to he serving as Director of FM Programming and she Director of Marketing and Promotions and Townsquare Media Portsmouth NH where Bridges served as Operations Manager from January-September 2019 and Gagnon co-hosted afternoons with him at Classic Hits “The Shark” 102.1 WSAK Hampton NH/105.3 WSHK Kittery ME. Bridges has also worked at multiple stations in and around New York including 95.5 WPLJ and “Z100” WHTZ.
After announcing they were moving from morning drive at WKHQ/Traverse City to a new flagship, Robby and Rochelle confirm they are headed to New Jersey to anchor mornings at Press Communications Classic rock WWZY/WBHX (107-1 The Boss) The show will air weekday mornings from 6-10am with a Saturday best of show.
Additionally, Robby Bridges will assume Program Director duties reporting to VP of Programming Jeff Rafter until he exits to retirement (as previously announced last May, Robby will then report directly to Press CEO Bob McAllan). Rochelle Gagnon will take on an active role in the social media strategy and marketing of the show including their podcast. The show was previously based at WDVD Detroit and later WSHK/Portsmouth, NH.
VP of Programming Jeff Rafter said “Morning radio in Monmouth-Ocean is highly competitive with great shows both in and outside the market. To have talent like Robby and Rochelle, along with market vet and 107.1 The Boss news anchor Dianne DeOliveira, the Boss is positioned to move ahead of the pack. WWZY is a strong station and I have every confidence that as Robby Bridges becomes the Boss of the Boss, it will grow it even stronger. This may be one of the last things I do in radio. It will be one of the best things I’ve done.”
“We are thrilled to join a terrific media group in Press Communications and grow the unique brand of 107-1 The Boss with its killer signal reaching from Atlantic City to the Lincoln Tunnel. It’s going to be fun entertaining classic rock fans in the land of Bruce, Bon Jovi and Bridgegate! Or should I say Sinatra, Snooki and The Sopranos!? Thank you very much Bob McAllan and Jeff Rafter for this special opportunity!”
In addition to their history hosting together, Robby Bridges is a veteran air talent and programmer who is no stranger to area with Z100, WPLJ and Q102 on his resume. Robby also worked in Providence, Boston, and elsewhere spending more than a decade at Cumulus Media. Robby will continue to serve as exclusive guest host for Scott Shannon on the True Oldies Channel.
Rochelle Gagnon previously served as an air talent and promotions director with Cumulus, Lakes Media and as Associate Producer of iHeart’s Mojo in The Morning based at WKQI/Detroit
This story first appeared on radioinsight.com