Boston Radio: Jones Joins WEEI-FM, Laird Named Brand Manager

Audacy welcomes Adam Jones as afternoon show co-host on WEEI (WEEI-FM) in Boston. Jones will join co-hosts Meghan Ottolini and Christian Arcand weekdays from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. ET. “Jones & Mego” with Christian Arcand begins on January 30.

Additionally, Ken Laird has been promoted from Operations Manager to Brand Manager of the station, effective immediately. In this role, Laird will oversee content strategy, talent, operations and branding for the station.

Adam Jones

“This is the 3rd run for Adam and I working together. He's talented, opinionated, informed and funny. Miss a day and miss a lot. Afternoons on WEEI will be can't miss entertainment,” said Mike Thomas, Senior Vice President and Market Manager, Audacy Boston. “Ken has stepped up and really proven himself as a leader this past year, and I'm very happy to elevate him in this new role. I know the best is yet to come.”

“Joining the team at WEEI is a lifelong dream come true,” said Jones. “For 10 years, I have approached nights like afternoon drive. I can't wait to get started with Meghan and Christian.”Jones joins WEEI from 98.5 The Sports Hub in Boston, where he hosted the station’s night show since 2013 and co-hosted “The Dan Shaughnessy Show” from 2009-10. Other previous roles include host for ESPN Boston.com Radio and ESPN Radio (2011-12) and updates anchor for 890 ESPN Boston (2006-2008).

“Working at WEEI, an iconic and influential brand, has been an honor dating back to my start here in 2002,” said Laird. “To take on a Brand Manager role some twenty years later is both incredibly humbling and exciting. I can’t thank Mark Hannon and Mike Thomas enough for the guidance and opportunity they’ve given me. The sports radio ratings share in Boston is proof that the nation’s most passionate fans live here, and I’m ready for the challenge to work with this great staff to deliver the daily entertainment those fans crave.”

Ken Laird

Laird launched his professional radio career as a producer at WEEI in 2002 while completing his degree in Electrical Engineering from Northeastern University. He moved back to his hometown of Pittsburgh in 2002, starting out as a midday producer for ESPN Radio 1250 (WEAE) before ascending to Steelers beat reporter and night host, a position he held through 2011. From 2011 through 2015, Laird hosted web radio for the Pittsburgh Tribune Review’s “TribLIVE Radio” in addition to covering and reporting on the Steelers, Penguins, Pirates, and University of Pittsburgh athletics. He rejoined WEEI in 2015 as morning producer, a role he served through various iterations of the show through January of 2022 in addition to hosting on weekends.

The Boston Globe reports Jones’s addition is the last piece in a recent lineup shakeup at WEEI, which included parting ways with longtime afternoon host Lou Merloni, moving Christian Fauria from afternoon drive to middays, and shifting Rich Keefe from middays to evenings.

Thomas was the program director at The Sports Hub when Jones was promoted to evening show host in December 2012, replacing Damon Amendolara, who had moved to a national CBS Sports radio gig.

Jones and the revamped afternoon program will go head-to-head with The Sports Hub’s ratings-dominant “Felger and Mazz” show featuring Michael Felger, Tony Massarotti, and third voice Jim Murray.

Jones first broke into Boston radio as an intern and update anchor for Felger’s ESPN 890 show in 2006, and the influence is obvious in his contrarian style. He’s also worked at ESPN Boston Radio and ESPN Radio (2011-12), and past duties at The Sports Hub included co-hosting “The Dan Shaughnessy Show” in 2009-10.

📻Listeners can tune in to WEEI (WEEI-FM) in Boston on air and nationwide on the Audacy app and website. Fans can also connect with the station via Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.