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10 Questions with ... Joe "MoJo" Rupp
February 5, 2013
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
WFKS/ Daytona Beach MD/nights; WHHZ/Gainesville PD /mornings; WDYL/Richmond PD /afternoons; WNRN/ Charlottesville on-air / Music Consultant; and WRXL Creative Services Director/on-air.
1. Tell us about your Creative Services role at WRXL?
It's my job to help make this station one of the best sounding Rock/Alt stations in the country. I am not bragging, but I think we have the East Coast already locked down and we are coming for the rest of them. I handle all of the imaging and production for XL 102. I am very fortunate to be working with one of the best staffs in radio. Fletcher (PD), Mason (afternoon drive), and VA (Promotions Director/on-air) are true pros. We all have a love for this station and format that is unmatched. This is a true team effort. We feed off of each other's ideas and creativity and it shows in our execution. Each person knows their roll and has something to offer to the others to help them with theirs. Egos are left at the door and goals are achieved because of it. It's the perfect environment for me.
2. How would you describe the imaging on the station?
Always fresh, always topical & local, always big, and always caters to our listeners. If you listen to this station you instantly fall in love with it. The music and imaging keep the station on a loop....you cannot turn it off. Why would you? We don't put walls up around you. Flow is so important and we make sure our imaging flows with the music. We also recognize that our voice guy (Steve Stone...a.k.a. the best) is also a personality and we use him as such. It's the little things that make a big difference and we know those little things. Download the iHeartRadio app (plug) and tune in....you will hear it.
3. What is the most challenging part of the job?
Being happy with the finished product. Ten people can tell me it's the best thing they ever heard and I will find a way to pick it a part. I am over critical, but I demand perfection.
4. What part of your job do you love the most?
Being in the think tank with my coworkers. The ideas that come out in our weekly meetings are amazing!
5. What makes the station sound unique?
We are Richmond. We take ownership of Rock in this market because we get it and you can hear it. We move right with the needle -- musically and imaging-wise -- 24 hours a day and seven days a week we are in tune with the market. Great personalities who are stars from Elliot to Fletcher to Mason to Nikki Sixx.
6. Why did the station reposition to XL102 Richmond's Rock Station?
I knew this would come up. XL102 was legendary Rock station in this market for years that never truly went away. Even though the station changed its name from XL102 to The X...most in the market still called it XL102. You cannot change an institution so why fight it? We stopped fighting it and embraced it. The response has been great.
7. How are you using Social Media?
It's free pub! It's amazing how in touch you have to be and can be. If you post something on your blog you have to post it on your twitter and then your fan page etc. Anyone who follows me knows how much I embrace this. I love it! It's a game changer in my book. If you put a consistent effort into it...it will pay dividends. With so many things to take your listeners attention away from you if you are right there with them...you will not be overlooked.
8. Fill in the blank: I can't make it through the day without _____________?
Coffee and Mountain Dew (I will never call it MTN Dew).
9. What do you like best about living in Richmond?
It's a great city with great people. It really feels like my home away from home. There is always something to do and they love their radio. One of the best decisions I ever made was to come to this market.
10. What would surprise people most about you?
My love for Pinterest. I get made fun of all the time for it...mainly by Fletcher (who recently joined by the way).
Bonus Questions
Looking back at your radio career in Florida, what is your fondest memory?
We did some really amazing things. I think my fondest memory was how much everyone embraced and loved WHHZ inside and outside of the market. We took chances and it really worked. We broke so many new bands and made a lot of them too. I am truly blessed that I got to do what I did there.
What's the latest with the kids?
They keep growing and eating and they won't stop. I fear they are turning into locust. They are also making me say things my Mom used to say to me and that don't make me too happy either.
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