Media Frenzy

By Rob Holbert Managing Editor

WALA FOX 10 officials say the recent February “sweeps” period brought good news – the Mobile/Pensacola market’s top ratings.

According to a press release from WALA, the station had the number one local morning newscast from 5 a.m. to 7 a.m. and the top rated evening and late night newscasts. WALA’s 5 p.m. newscast grew 84 percent from last year to take first place in that time slot. The 9 p.m. news also pulled a 4.4 share compared to a 3.2 for WPMI’s 10 p.m. broadcast, 3.0 for WKRG’s and a 2.8 for WEAR.

The ratings information was for adults 25-54.

Brennan to KC

It seems WPMI’s Leeah Brennan is flying the coop from the local NBC affiliate and heading to work in Kansas City. Brennan has been a reporter for WPMI for the past four years, covering crime and courts. Among Brennan’s most memorable stories in the Port City was her expose on the sale of crack pipes at local convenience stores, which led to a city ordinance against the glass tubes being sold.

She is a graduate of the University of Missouri-Columbia. No word on which station she’ll be moving to in K.C.

Lagniappe on Pirate

With Sean Sullivan taking over WAVH “The Pirate” this week, a new relationship between this publication and the station begins. Starting April 11, Lagniappe will begin offering a weekend report at around 8:30 a.m., detailing the upcoming weekend’s entertainment options.

Sullivan, a longtime on-air personality for WZEW, is part of the new ownership group operating WAVH. He has also been a columnist for this publication since its inception in 2002. We look forward to working with him again and hope you’ll tune in.

Roxbury back too

Speaking of things Pirate, Jolene Roxbury will also reportedly be a regular part of Sullivan’s morning show, much as she was when he was with WZEW. Roxbury provided a running humorous commentary on Sullivan’s former show, and it’s said her role will be much the same at The Pirate.

New face at WALA

I’ve been remiss in mentioning the addition of Mick Rockwood at WALA as a general assignment reporter. Rockwood joined the Fox affiliate in February. His previous stints have included reporting for KCEN in Waco, Texas, and KBTX for Bryan/College Station, Texas.

He also was an anchor/reporter at KIMO in Anchorage, Alaska.

Rockwood is a graduate of Texas A&M University and a native of Texas.

Press Club meeting

The next Press Club of Mobile meeting will be Thursday April 24 at the old studio at WKRG’s building at 555 Broadcast Dr. New Mobile County School Superintendent Dr. Roy Nichols will be the featured speaker for the meeting, which begins at noon.

Those who wish to attend are asked to RSVP to Kesshia Peyton at kpeyton@wkrg.com by April 22.

Rob Holbert is Lagniappe managing editor. Contact him at rholbert@lagniappemobile.com.

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