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Radio host, PR expert form 'niche' promotion companyNew Mexico Business Weekly - 2:57 PM MDT Wednesdayby Paul Krza NMBW StaffLongtime Albuquerque radio talk show host Larry Ahrens says he's joined with Tom Garrity, who runs The Garrity Group, to form a "nice publicity business" that aims to help authors, experts and organizations gain access to the media. The new company, called Ahrens-Garrity Public Relations, is located in Albuquerque. In addition to Garrity and Ahrens, former television and radio producer Melissa Milam, who also worked with The Garrity Group, is also part of the new company. "We discovered a demand out there for those people who want access to the media, but don't know how to get it," Ahrens says. The company, though based in New Mexico, expects to do most of its business outside the state, he says. But among its first clients are Santa Fe author Joe Badal and Randall McCutcheon, an Albuquerque-based expert who's written books on education and SAT tests. Garrity has had a longtime public relations presence in Albuquerque. He has managed bond campaigns for the Albuquerque Public Schools, provided "crisis communications assistance" during a recent controversy over the departure of a pastor at Calvary Chapel of Albuquerque, and developed strategy for Kevin Jackson's winning Rio Rancho mayoral campaign. Ahrens, now the co-host of KAGM-FM, 106.3's "Wake Up New Mexico" show with Dianne Anderson, previously handled the morning talk show hosting chores at top-rated KKOB-AM, 770. When the new station, KAGM, signed on about one year ago, the broadcast company owners touted it as a competitor for Ahrens' old AM station. However, the FM talker mostly languished in the ratings, prompting a major makeover that sent several local hosts packing. Ahrens, however, says his new public relations business doesn't represent any effort to cut back his work at the FM station. Rather, he says, he's "very happy" with the station and still has another four years on his contract, with a five-year renewal option. "We're in this for the long run," he says. "When you have a new station, it takes some time to sort though a list of people for the team you want. I think we're in good shape now and the audience is coming to us." In his new PR position, Ahrens says his role will be mostly as a consultant rather than any day-to-day activity with the company.