Press Release

July 26 2023

Connoisseur Media Connecticut Receives Three Marconi Radio Award Nominations

Connoisseur Media’s radio stations in Connecticut received three NAB Marconi Radio Awards nominations today.

July 7 2023

Partnering With New Haven Pizza School For Pizza & Brew Fest

Connoisseur Media with New Haven Pizza School have partnered to present a first of its kind Pizza & Brew Fest this summer. Connecticut’s pizza culture is renowned for being one of the best in the country, and the Connecticut Pizza and Brew Fest will honor that passion. The Fest will be hosted at the Hartford Healthcare Amphitheater on July 16, 2023, from 11am-3pm. Pizza lovers are encouraged to attend a day of pizza, craft brews, music, and fun. Well known establishments such as Frank Pepe Pizzeria, Sally’s Apizza & Zuppardi’s Apizza will all be represented!

In addition to pizza and brew, attendees can also look forward to dough throwing contests, craft brew samples, free pizza panel discussions, live music from Last Man Standing Band, Residual Groove, The Pop Rocks, JULAI and the Serotones, plus merchandise, and more. Plus, those attending will have the opportunity to vote for the “Best in Fest” pizza award.

“Connecticut Pizza & Brew Fest is a celebration of Connecticut’s rich pizza culture, and we’re thrilled to be able to bring it to the state where it all started,” said Frank Zabski of the New Haven Pizza School, one of the organizers of the event. “We invite everyone to come out, enjoy some delicious pizza & beer, learn about New Haven pizza, and have a great time with family and friends.”

The Connecticut Pizza & Brew Fest celebrates all things pizza, craft beer, and desserts, with more than forty (40) vendors serving up their signature dish. Pizza vendors include: Bertucci’s, Big Green Pizza Truck, East Coast Pizza Truck, Frank Pepe Pizzeria, Little Pub, Nautilus Pizza, New Haven Pizza Truck, Silver Sands Pizza Truck, Slice of New Haven, The Parlor, The Pizza Pie Wagon, Una Dolce Vita and Zuppardi’s. Desserts from: Michelle’s Pies, Moon Rock Gourmet Cookie, and Valley Jim’s Soft Serve. Beer & other beverage samples all day from: Athletic Brewing Co., BADSONS Beer Co., Barn Brew, Big Machine Vodka Spiked Coolers, Drink Mechanics, Fishers Island Lemonade, Good Dogg Seltzer, Hanging Hills Brewery, Links Drinks, Pump House Brewery, Waterbird, and Whalers Brewing.

The Fest includes FREE panel discussions hosted by icons of New Haven Pizza featuring some of the most famous pizzerias: Frank Pepe’s Pizzeria, Ernie’s of Westville, Abate of Wooster Street, Sally’s Apizza, and Big Green Pizza Truck from New Haven. Pizza panels range from the history of New Haven Pizza to how to make the perfect dough. Attendees have the opportunity to meet and chat with owners of some of the most iconic New Haven pizzerias.

Connecticut Pizza & Brew Fest is sponsored by: Sacred Heart University Brewing Science Program, Big Machine Vodka Spiked Coolers, New Haven Pizza School, Carbutti Real Estate and Connoisseur Media Connecticut. Special thanks to partners: Campus Customs, Electric Boat, and Napoli Foods.

Tickets options include: VIP hour with a limited number of tickets available from 11am-12pm which allows guests to indulge in all-you-can-eat pizza samples for $50 per person, $25 for kids under 12; or General Admission from 12pm-3pm, for $15 for adults and $5 for kids under 12, with $3 slices and many other options available. Tickets are available for purchase at ticketmaster.com. There will be a LIMITED number of tickets available at the door.

For more information about the event visit www.ctpizzaandbrewfest.com or follow Connecticut Pizza and Brew Fest on social media @ctpizzaandbrewfest.

June 23 2023

94.3 The Shark Welcomes Aimee Brooks To Middays

Connoisseur Media’s WWSK/94.3 The Shark welcomes major market rock veteran Aimee Brooks to the on-air lineup. Aimee takes over weekdays between 11am and 2pm, beginning Monday, June 26. Brooks brings with her a wealth of rock knowledge and experience making her the perfect fit for the “everything that rocks” format.

“This is a big win for The Shark,” said Rob Rush, 94.3 The Shark Program Director and Afternoon Drive host. “Aimee lives and breathes the rock culture and I know our audience will love her passion and genuine appreciation for the music during the workday.”

Before joining 94.3 The Shark, Brooks spent seventeen years at Rock 104.7 WIOT in Toledo, Ohio, has experience in multiple markets around the country and is excited to bring her voice and talents to Long Island’s 94.3 The Shark. She grew up listening to music, usually at full blast, loves New York, loves coffee, plays guitar, and rescues kittens.

“I am beyond excited to join the team at 94.3 The Shark!” I want to thank Patrick Shea and Rob Rush for bringing me on board. I’ve been grinning ear to ear for the past week. I’m looking forward to spending middays on Long Island!”
Aimee Brooks

February 9 2023

WALK 97.5 Kicks-Off American Authors 2023 Tour

American Authors kicked-off their 2023 “Best Night of My Life” tour with WALK 97.5 at Napper Tandy’s Irish Pub in Smithtown. The first in the 2023 “WALK 97.5 Acoustic Café” series of events, American Authors delighted fans with a 30-min set followed by a Q&A session and a special chance to meet the band and take a photo with them.

I can’t believe it’s been 10 years since Best Day of My Life! The new album is a ton of fun and the audience absolutely loves the guys
WALK 97.5 Program Director Patrick Shea

WALK 97.5 will host the next event with Parmalee, coming to Mulcahy’s on March 9, 2023. Listen-to-win contests begin week of 2/6 and tickets for the show are available at www.muls.com.

September 30 2022

Connoisseur Media Wins 8 Awards At Annual NYSBA Luncheon

Connoisseur Media Long Island’s WALK 97.5, KJOY 98.3, 103.1 MAX FM, 94.3 The Shark and 104.7 WHLI were awarded 8 honors at the annual Long Island New York State Broadcasters Association Luncheon, Thursday, September 29, 2022 at Blackstone, Melville. Each award is determined by statewide submissions that are reviewed and selected by the New York Broadcasters Association.

December 22 2021

Connoisseur Media Announces Management Moves

Connoisseur Media announced today that Michael O. Driscoll, Co-Founder and EVP/CFO of Connoisseur Media, will be stepping down as CFO of the company as of 12/31/21. Driscoll has been the CFO of the Company since July, 2004 and has been working with Jeffrey D. Warshaw, CEO and Co-Founder for more than 25 years.

Driscoll has been with Connoisseur and Mr. Warshaw since he was hired as CFO of Connoisseur Communications in 1996. He has handled financing, acquisitions, human resources and operational issues and has worked hand-in-hand with Warshaw in building the current Company over the last 17 years. He remains at Connoisseur as Executive Vice President, but will be stepping back from day-to-day management duties.

Jeffrey D. Warshaw, CEO and Co-Founder of Connoisseur said “Mike and I have worked together for a long time. In the years working with him, we have occasionally had different opinions, but never harsh words or arguments. I am glad in this new role he will get a chance to take some more time for travel and things he had wanted to do, but I look forward to still working together. He will always be my partner.”

Driscoll said; “I have really enjoyed the nuts and bolts of helping build a Company and focused on building teams, working on processes and getting the trains to run on time. I could not have had a more fulfilling time, looking forward to coming in each day, and have had a lot of fun working alongside Jeff for this quarter century. I will miss being involved in every decision, and having daily contact with the friends and great colleagues we have in our operations as well as here in the corporate office. I am happy

to still be a part of the Company, and also an investor in it, and want to watch things grow. This is just a part of a plan Jeff and I have had for a few years, and I have every confidence that our Company will reach new heights as Jeff works with Olly Price as the new CFO.”

Oliver Price named as SVP/CFO of Connoisseur Media as of January 1, 2022.

Oliver G. Price came to Connoisseur in 2012, and was most recently Vice President of Finance and Accounting. He has worked with Mr. Warshaw and Mr. Driscoll for over nine years and is in in charge of the financial planning, budgeting and accounting functions. In the last few years, he has moved more directly into financing transactions and also worked more on acquisitions. He will now also take on additional duties and direct reports as the CFO of the Company. Price will report directly to Jeffrey Warshaw.

Mr. Price was previously with Liberty Global, where he was Manager, Mergers and Acquisitions prior to coming to Connoisseur. He was with Liberty Global for six years in London at increasingly senior positions. Prior to that, Price worked for KPMG in audit in the information, communication & entertainment department. While at KPMG, Price trained as a chartered accountant, and is registered in the UK. Price graduated from the University of Bristol in the UK where he earned a BSc and studied Economics.

About Connoisseur Media:

Connoisseur Media owns market-leading radio clusters in regions including Nassau- Suffolk, NY, Metro Fairfield County, and New Haven in CT, and Frederick, MD. It also owns digital and marketing operations in Connecticut and Long Island.

June 25 2021

WALK and KJOY Simulcast Fireworks Music As Display Returns To Long Island

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that the New York State Office of General Services and New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation are joining with partners again to celebrate Independence Day with fireworks and events from 6-10pm at the Empire State Plaza, including a pop-up vaccination site from 5:30- 8:00pm; and at Jones Beach State Park beginning at 9:30pm.