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10 Questions with ... Andy Green
January 22, 2013
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
- 2004-2005 Part Time on air at WLVQ (Columbus, OH)
- 2004-2006 On air Afternoons at Classic Rock 104.9 WUZZ/ PD ESPN Radio 940am (Lima, OH)
- 2007-2009 On air Nights/ Music Director WJXQ (Lansing, MI)
- 2009-2012 Freelance writing for AOL's Asylum.com, Holy Taco, MTV and others
- 2010-2011 Nights at WJXQ (Lansing, MI)
- 2011-Managing Editor for humor site forkparty.com
- 2011-2012 Managing Editor at WGRD.com/ Web Consultant for Free Beer and Hot Wings
- Dec 17th 2012 APD/MD WRIF
1) What led you to a career in radio? Was there a defining moment that made you realize "this is it"?
In high school, a good friend and I found out that you could voluntarily do a radio show at the University of Findlay's radio station, WLFC. We were basically terrible but during that time it dawned on me ... hey ... I can get paid for this!
2) If you were just starting out in radio, knowing now what you didn't then, would you still do it?
Definitely. I would tell past Andy to stick to his guns and learn as much as possible about every operation at the station.
3) Before you got hired at WRIF, you worked with the syndicated morning show "Free Beer & Hot Wings." What were your responsibilities with them and what do you think of that show?
I helped Free Beer and Hot Wings revamp their website. First and foremost, every single one of those guys -- Free Beer, Hot Wings, Zane, Joe and Steve -- are outstanding people. I hit it off with them right off the bat and they were super-kind to me while I was in Grand Rapids. I think their show is insanely good. They are a show that knows organic natural comedy. They are real and that is why I know they will continue growing the presence of the show. Audiences appreciate sincere genuine people being themselves -- and that is precisely what they do. Watching their affect on the audience was phenomenal and I will always remain good friends with those guys.
4) You recently got hired at WRIF. Tell us about your working relationship with PD Mark Pennington and what are your main responsibilities there?
Mark Pennington is the caliber of PD that I had long hoped to work for my entire career. He doesn't bullshit, he protects the brand at all costs and is one of the most brilliant programmers I've ever seen in action. He gets it! My responsibilities at WRIF are varied. I help with the day-to-day operations of the station, manage the social media for the brand and help Mark oversee the direction of the website. We do music meetings and I take music calls. I'm also on air.
5) You also do weekends and fill in on the station. Do you enjoy being on the air?
I love it. It was truly a great moment for me to get to say "Detroit's Rock Station 101 WRIF, Everything That Rocks!" That was something I had always hoped to be able to say my entire career. It's why I got into this industry and will always be the core of my love for radio.
6) Let's talk about the music on WRIF. Being this is a longtime heritage station; I'm sure keeping the upper-demo listeners happy is important, but how do you do that and also engage the younger WRIF listeners?
We do that with a combination of great Active Rock that cuts through the demographic block, a solid social media presence, a content focused web approach, and fantastic contemporary promotions. It's a brand that truly knows no age boundaries. Detroit loves WRIF and that helps with each of these strategies.
7) What's your take on current music in the Active Rock format? Is it as good as six months ago, better, or about the same?
Active rock will always speak to rock fans. I think that it is in a state of growth right now ... and growth can be painful. We as the music industry need to up our efforts to keep an eye out for bands that will sustain our future. Radio still very much has the power to birth the bands that will rock into the future ... but we can't second-guess ourselves. If it's good local music, don't be scared to give it a try. We will always need great new bands to keep rock alive.
8) How does your station utilize social media as a marketing tool?
We engage our audience every day via Facebook and Twitter and understand that these people don't want to be spammed with countless promotions and blog posts, so we simply engage them. Show them a funny picture, ask their opinion. At the end of the day we do with our social media exactly what we do on the air ... engage them via their interests.
9) Detroit is a legendary rock n roll town. Tell us about a unique promotion that WRIF has recently done that reflects your listeners' passion for Rock and the station?
WRIF is all over the rock scene in Detroit. Concerts, bars and everywhere we go we witness the passion for Rock and the station. If you simply wear your WRIF gear out anywhere it's inevitable that someone will say to you "RIFF ROCKS!" It's a brand that has now become synonymous with the city itself. WRIF loves Detroit and Detroit loves WRIF. Our Riff Rock Girl search is about to get underway and the amount of girls that enter and the amount of guys that vote is incredible.
10) Where do you see the industry and yourself five years from now?
WRIF and Greater Media is where I want to be. I see myself being able to work with Mark Pennington and take WRIF and WRIF.com into an industry leading position on-air, on the web and throughout the social media world and have a ton of fun and beers along the way.
Bonus Questions
What do you do for fun away from your Rock and work life?
I read a ton of Internet articles, drink beers with friends, go to shows and watch The Walking Dead.
Who is your favorite artist you have met and why?
I have to go with Ozzy Osbourne. The guy was a class act. He shook every guy's hand and kissed every girl on the cheek. He even talked to everyone and made it a truly great meet-and-greet experience for the listeners. I also enjoyed meeting Serj Tankian; he was a great guy and someone of whom I am a huge fan.
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