Audacy has found a new leader for WEEI in Boston. Jeff Rickard will take over as brand manager starting on August 11. Rickard has spent the last 6 years in Indianapolis leading Emmis’s 107.5 The Fan.
Despite the move from Indianapolis, Rickard is no stranger to the New England sports radio scene. He spent almost a decade in the region while hosting ESPN Radio’s “Gamenight” and later as the managing editor and anchor of the Boston based program “Out of Bounds Latenight” on the Comcast Network.
“Having worked in sports radio for virtually my entire career, I am thrilled to join the team at WEEI,” Rickard said in a press release. “Its rich history is well documented as is the unmatched passion of the Boston sports fan. I’m looking forward to pairing this talented team with fresh, new ideas to both reflect and match that passion.”
WEEI is also giving Jeff Rickard a right hand man. The station has elevated Ken Laird to assistant brand manager. He will continue to serve as executive producer of The Greg Hill Show in morning drive on the station. Laird broke into radio as an intern at WEEI in 2001 and then moved to Pittsburgh, climbing the ladder at ESPN Radio 1250. He then returned to WEEI, holding various producer and contributor roles before eventually becoming morning drive executive producer and update anchor.
“I am thrilled to welcome Jeff to the team,” said Tim Clarke, SVP and Market Manager for Audacy Boston. “His deep expertise and experience in sports media plus his passion for our New England teams make him perfectly suited to lead one of America’s most legendary local sports brands.”
Clarke also expressed his enthusiasm for promoting Laird, adding: “Ken is a supremely talented, up-and-coming programming leader and will have a huge impact on WEEI in this expanded role. I am extremely optimistic and excited for WEEI’s continued evolution under the leadership of both Jeff and Ken.”
