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10 Questions with ... Marissa
April 29, 2014
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
One month into radio school in 2004, I was picked up by John Foxx at WFLY (Fly 92.3) for part-time/overnight, and six months into it, I became the full-time overnight jock. In 2006 I headed to KQKQ (Q98.5)/Omaha, NE as middays and MD. Family health issues brought me back home in 2007 and I had to build myself back up, starting part-time/weekends on WAJZ and WFLY along with voicetracking on the side. By November 2007 I became MD/afternoons for WFLY with a promotion to APD in January 2011.
1) How would you describe your first radio gig?
Exhausting. Overnights are killer.
2) What led you to a career in radio?
I remember being 12 years old, pointing to the radio and saying, "I wanna do that!" My mom laughed at me 'cause I was super-shy. I can officially say, "Told ya so!"
3) What makes your station unique? How would you compare it to other stations you've worked at?
Being the heritage Top 40 in the market is the biggest blessing we could ask for. You have the older demo that grew up listening to us and their kids listened and now THEIR kids are listening. It's crazy!
4) Are you wearing more "hats" than you have in the past?
It seems to change from time to time. I definitely wear a lot of hats, however I feel like that shows a strength in my work ethic, my talent overall and my ability to mold.
5) What are you doing social media-wise?
What am I NOT doing social media wise is probably the better question. I do my best to engage my audience. I let them in on the personal side of things and not just "what's Justin Bieber doing today?" Facebook, Twitter, Instagram ... (Marissa Ontheradio/MarissaOnFly)
6) What is your favorite part of the job?
Giving back and being with the listener. When we have listener lounges, or I'm speaking at a school or being a part of a charity event, it's always great to be able to have those conversations and be one step closer than syndication can ever be.
7) What's the coolest promotion you've EVER been involved with?
Feed it to Bieber. I came up with it completely last minute in 2009. The person who donated the most food in weight would win meet-n-greet passes for the upcoming Justin Bieber concert. Overall, we raised 11 TONS of food for the Regional Food Bank of North Eastern New York. It was the first time I felt like my show truly had some power behind it.
8) Looking back, which years hold the best musical memories for you and who were your favorite acts at that time?
I'm a huge '90s/early '00s fan. NSync, Backstreet, Hanson, Britney, O-town, Christina, 98* Degress ... all that stuff mixed with the Rhythmic of the time. That's my iPod candy.
9) Do you have a favorite hobby outside of radio?
I'm a clean-a-holic. I'd say it's a problem, but it's a stress reliever, it makes me feel accomplished and that lemony fresh scent is an okay one to breathe in.
10) What is the one truth that has held constant throughout your career?
Hard work, dedication and continued growth will continue your happiness.
Bonus Questions
What artist/act (living or dead) would you love to meet and why?
I've come to the conclusion that it'll never ever happen, but Justin Timberlake. He's on the absolutely tippy-top of my list. I feel like I've met everyone else I've ever wanted to, so he's basically on a list by himself at this point. He's so incredibly talented overall and just seems like a genuine person.
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