Since Rookery Radio’s inception in 2011, the Internet radio station has moved from its original location downtown at the Youngstown Business Incubator to Youngstown State University’s Kilcawley Center and has upgraded its equipment.
This year, Rookery has added a new sponsor: WBCB/The CW.
Andrea Daniels, an executive sales assistant at WFMJ, said WBCB and WFMJ wanted to create exposure with a college-aged audience.
“Rookery seemed like a perfect way to do that,” Daniels said.
Adam Earnheardt, faculty adviser of Rookery Radio, said the partnership will bring listeners to the station and create student interest.
“We want students to know that they can actually be a part of Rookery, instead of just listening every week,” he said.
In exchange for live radio plug-ins for primetime TV shows such as “Gossip Girl,” “The Carrie Diaries” and “Arrow,” The CW will run advertisements for Rookery Radio during its primetime TV shows and display the Rookery Radio logo.
Earnheardt said Rookery Radio encourages students to host their own shows.
“The cool thing about the Rookery is that it is all guided by students,” he said. “The students decide on everything, from what music to play and what segments to talk about. The shows they broadcast are all their own ideas as hosts.”
All are welcome to become a part of the station, Earnheardt said.
“We really want students to know more about us as a radio station, as well as ways to be on air with their own show,” he said. “We are open to ideas.”
David Tamulonis, co-host of “The Dave and Jarrod Show” on Rookery Radio, said he learned about the station before his freshman year at YSU, during orientation.
“I heard about it, and I made a point to stop by and give them my ideas,” he said. “I started my training, and now I have a show. It is all just a matter of going there and bringing your ideas.”