WHO IS THE MARKETING MORON AT RXP?

[MistahTroof]

RXP has recently been crowned the official station of the annual CMJ Convention, the uber happening gathering of college radio programmers from across the U.S. Lots of cool kids and super neat-o bands of the moment will be there.

RXP is making a big deal about this "achievement" (articles in the trades, the NY Daily News, etc.) and they obviously think this is a noteworthy accolade.

Bunch of problems with this, though:

- the majority of attendees of the CMJ convention are from out of the NYC listening area, and thus wouldn't be affected by, impressed by, or aware of RXP's involvement
- a prediction here, but I daresay that none of the convention's attendees are diary keepers or part of the PPM panel
- the goal of CMJ is to discover and expose the newest, freshest, and hippest artists, many of which are quite horrible and most of which don't belong on commercial radio, especially in the biggest radio market in the world

What is the calculus behind such inane marketing decisions? Who is responsible for driving the station's brand and image into this completely worthless terrain? RXP is programmed, operated, and marketed as if it were a non-commercial station at one of the tri-state area's colleges (and that's being extremely unfair to the non-commercial stations at the tri-state area's colleges, the worst of which sounds tighter, better, and more coherent than RXP).

 

[p_herring]

RXP has recently been crowned the official station of the annual CMJ Convention, the uber happening gathering of college radio programmers from across the U.S. Lots of cool kids and super neat-o bands of the moment will be there.

RXP is making a big deal about this "achievement" (articles in the trades, the NY Daily News, etc.) and they obviously think this is a noteworthy accolade.

Bunch of problems with this, though:

- the majority of attendees of the CMJ convention are from out of the NYC listening area, and thus wouldn't be affected by, impressed by, or aware of RXP's involvement
- a prediction here, but I daresay that none of the convention's attendees are diary keepers or part of the PPM panel
- the goal of CMJ is to discover and expose the newest, freshest, and hippest artists, many of which are quite horrible and most of which don't belong on commercial radio, especially in the biggest radio market in the world

What is the calculus behind such inane marketing decisions? Who is responsible for driving the station's brand and image into this completely worthless terrain? RXP is programmed, operated, and marketed as if it were a non-commercial station at one of the tri-state area's colleges (and that's being extremely unfair to the non-commercial stations at the tri-state area's colleges, the worst of which sounds tighter, better, and more coherent than RXP).

Somebody probably wanted to score some "cool" points unaware that morons who cream their pants over the CMJ festival probably don't care to listen to stations with bipolar focus (Aerosmith, Spoon, Pink Floyd, Cold War Kids, it goes on).

I feel bad for RXP, it had potential, but it's just over now...

 

[hamNcheese]

seems like a good move to me.

 

[rockmixx]

The individual to whom you refer is named Brian D'Aurelio. He's been described as a "marketing guru", and is most likely the person who executed the CMJ partnership.

For verification of his guru-dom, click the below link then scroll down to the RXP logo:

http://triplearadio.com/programming/

 

[lalumia]

well if he's so smart tell him to put Johnny Thunders "You can't Put your Arms Around A Memory" into rotation; or "NightTime" by Wayne County & the Electric Chairs;
metal guru, is it true?

 

[p_herring]

The individual to whom you refer is named Brian D'Aurelio. He's been described as a "marketing guru", and is most likely the person who executed the CMJ partnership.

For verification of his guru-dom, click the below link then scroll down to the RXP logo:

http://triplearadio.com/programming/

Doesn't matter, still a desperate attempt at "cool" points from a station that should be spending more time focusing and refining it's playlist.

 

[biggladman]

How can teaming up with CMJ be a bad thing? True, a lot of attendees are from out of the area, but many aren't. Plus, it puts them in touch with new artists that are trying to break out of the college scene into the commercial spotlight. Perhaps they are looking at this as a way to get some pull with the indie community - not a bad move considering it's size... also nice to see a station tapping into a vast array of new music - as opposed to just playing the same tested and safe "rock" songs (ala k-rock). As a musician, band leader and a proponent of commercial stations tapping into the indie scene, seems like a win win to me. I'm surprised nobody has done this sooner.

Look at that KEXP getting their programming onto WNYE - yeah I know, nobody listens... but I know a whole bunch of people in brooklyn and queens that do. For all of you that are whining about losing the "hipsters and twixters" to the I-POD, this is one way to get them back.. and renew interest in the FM band for the next generation of listeners. Now, make the RXP internet presence interactive with the IPOD, have some podcasts ready to roll and get some more content. Might be a sort of back door way to go about doing things, but the current formula is not working as well as everyone would like.

Be positive folks - this is good.

AG

 

[biggladman]

Also, as a response to the OP - not every single band at CMJ sucks. I was introduced to the Polyphonic Spree, Steven Malkmus, Wilco and My Morning Jacket at the CMJ showcases before anyone knew who they were... and those bands aren't half bad. Saying that every band that plays at CMJ sucks is like saying that every single hip hop artist is a criminal or that every single jazz musician smokes pot.

 

[neo11]

Teaming up with CMJ isn't a bad thing at all, however, if they can't improve the music mix and get rid of the overplayed dino-rock, nu-metal, etc. from their playlist that one can hear on K-Rock, Q104.3 and even PLJ and Lite FM, the station will continue to be mired in last place amongst NYC commercial FM's.

 

[John Walker]

- the goal of CMJ is to discover and expose the newest, freshest, and hippest artists, many of which are quite horrible and most of which don't belong on commercial radio, especially in the biggest radio market in the world

IMO a lot of that perception is because someone is not open minded about accepting anything new or different. I liken it to some people I know that refuse to listen to new rock because they grew up on classic rock and won't take the time to really listen to anything not classic rock or old and familiar. There are quite a few bands or artist that I though sucked when I first heard them, but now are among my favorites.

 

[sdol]

I know that a few local college radio stations in Jersey that would be a perfect fit for this event.

Seton Hall University is very well known for it's radio station WSOU for being an alternative rock station. And if my memory serves me correctly, Jewelz who is now the MD and Midday Jock at Pulse was the Music Director there.

Also, William Paterson University's college station 88.7 FM is pushing a new rock sound to it. I know it used to be called WPSC-FM, but since it became a university, I'm not sure if it's WPSU-FM now or what.

And, Rutgers University's college station has always followed an alternative format.

I think the whole college scene is exactly what the demo for RXP is seeking and this event (not sure what CMJ stands for) but it sounds like it could be a great opportunity for the "wanna be radio employees" to make connections and learn how to do radio the way New York City does it.

Just an aside note, I know a 60 year old woman who loves RXP.

 

[lalumia]

well of course debbie harry luvs them, they ARE playing BLONDIE!

 

[pjc1961]

I know that a few local college radio stations in Jersey that would be a perfect fit for this event.

Seton Hall University is very well known for it's radio station WSOU for being an alternative rock station. And if my memory serves me correctly, Jewelz who is now the MD and Midday Jock at Pulse was the Music Director there.

Also, William Paterson University's college station 88.7 FM is pushing a new rock sound to it. I know it used to be called WPSC-FM, but since it became a university, I'm not sure if it's WPSU-FM now or what.

And, Rutgers University's college station has always followed an alternative format.

I think the whole college scene is exactly what the demo for RXP is seeking and this event (not sure what CMJ stands for) but it sounds like it could be a great opportunity for the "wanna be radio employees" to make connections and learn how to do radio the way New York City does it.

Just an aside note, I know a 60 year old woman who loves RXP.

See link below for definition of CMJ:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/College_Music_Journal

 

[sdol]

Thanks for the link.

I think I have heard of these discs that CMJ puts out.

 

[softmachine]

Also, as a response to the OP - not every single band at CMJ sucks. I was introduced to the Polyphonic Spree, Steven Malkmus, Wilco and My Morning Jacket at the CMJ showcases before anyone knew who they were... and those bands aren't half bad. Saying that every band that plays at CMJ sucks is like saying that every single hip hop artist is a criminal or that every single jazz musician smokes pot.

Why would a commercial station-one whose pedigree longs to be resurrected-if you believe the initial hype-
require involvement with a college music survey and publication? You have a walking CMJ called Pinfield. He should be enough, along with a group of interns set out to scour the clubs. (Why he rides on the top of a tour bus is beyond me-that just struck me as so HACK. Maybe Matt is out of it totally, or bought and paid for (sniff sniff), which would explain a lot).

Matt has had a great rapport with old artists and new artists-judging from the bus ride with a band and EMI rep on the roof-and this station should do new music. But the primary focus of a full signal should be heritage alternative from the late 70s on. Dump the classic rock, and stay away from the horribly dull new stuff from older heritage alt bands like REM. Throw in a little VU every so often. There is a great reserve of long-untapped alt music which could be mined. It's a long list.

CMJ-I'm not sure what the exact mechanism is at play here in order to serve the great unwashed with new stuff, but I imagine it the same folks who would bug the crap out of college programmers to push the stupid 'college-sounding' records to the air.

So a couple good things get through, but it's also a lot of unlistenable junk presented with a very short sell-by.

So RXP: let the colleges filter the college rock, pick the best that filters down-maybe pick a personal fave here and there-the next Police perhaps-but get a broad base of stuff that people will like, and dump the classic rock available elsewhere.

Andrew: Where are the Spree now? I knew Malkmus from another band before-what was that?

The kids will not come back from the ipod. Sorry.

As for your stereotype: Only the good ones are.

 

[BACKnUSSR]

RXP has recently been crowned the official station of the annual CMJ Convention, the uber happening gathering of college radio programmers from across the U.S. Lots of cool kids and super neat-o bands of the moment will be there.

RXP is making a big deal about this "achievement" (articles in the trades, the NY Daily News, etc.) and they obviously think this is a noteworthy accolade.

Bunch of problems with this, though:

- the majority of attendees of the CMJ convention are from out of the NYC listening area, and thus wouldn't be affected by, impressed by, or aware of RXP's involvement
- a prediction here, but I daresay that none of the convention's attendees are diary keepers or part of the PPM panel
- the goal of CMJ is to discover and expose the newest, freshest, and hippest artists, many of which are quite horrible and most of which don't belong on commercial radio, especially in the biggest radio market in the world

What is the calculus behind such inane marketing decisions? Who is responsible for driving the station's brand and image into this completely worthless terrain? RXP is programmed, operated, and marketed as if it were a non-commercial station at one of the tri-state area's colleges (and that's being extremely unfair to the non-commercial stations at the tri-state area's colleges, the worst of which sounds tighter, better, and more coherent than RXP).

This one's not about building listenership, its about building a credibility within the music industry, ala KROQ.....KBCO....WXRT..... if they can get on the map with promoters, labels, managers and trades, maybe they get the opportunity to build a rapport and identity with the next U2, or the next Green Day or whatever.....every great rock/alternative station thats ever existed had to find a way to become an industry darling to secure the edge that
allowed them to become credible to their audience. Its actually a smart move.

 

[lalumia]

maybe they get the opportunity to build a rapport and identity with the next U2, or the next Green Day or whatever.....every

there's not gonna be a next U2 or Green Day, ever...those days are over

 

[MistahTroof]

RXP doesn't need to "get on the map with promoters, labels, managers and trades" - they need ratings and revenue, and judging from their efforts, ideas, and lack of results, they have absolutely no clue how to make any of it happen.

Recommendation to Emmis: SELL THE 101.9 FREQUENCY, AND FAST - IT'S CURSED! FIRST NEW YORK CHILL, THEN CD101.9, NOW RXP: BAD LUCK COMES IN THREES! GET OUT WHILE YOU CAN!!!

 

[MBAguy]

I did some digging about the "marketing guru" at RXP. Here are some of his svengali-like ideas:

How did he generate excitement about RXP? First, he made up some b.s. about how there's been an "astounding amount of interest by industry and clients outside of the New York market to hear the new 101.9 RXP"... http://www.radiofacts.com/2008/02/1019-rxp-new-york-rock-experience-now.html

... then, in an attempt to cleverly share the brilliant RXP experience with the world (which desperately needed their astounding amount of interest in the station sated) , he hid the link to the stream button on RXP's site! http://64.233.169.104/search?q=cach...f+"brian+d'aurelio"&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=26&gl=us

He also made a riotous assertion that RXP is "the only station that truly embodies the New York spirit of Lou Reed and the Velvet Underground classic 'Rock and Roll'": http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=109&STORY=/www/story/02-05-2008/0004750087&EDATE

No wonder the station's sucking. This guy's a HACK.

 

[BACKnUSSR]

RXP doesn't need to "get on the map with promoters, labels, managers and trades" - they need ratings and revenue, and judging from their efforts, ideas, and lack of results, they have absolutely no clue how to make any of it happen.

Recommendation to Emmis: SELL THE 101.9 FREQUENCY, AND FAST - IT'S CURSED! FIRST NEW YORK CHILL, THEN CD101.9, NOW RXP: BAD LUCK COMES IN THREES! GET OUT WHILE YOU CAN!!!

Well, know a little about history.

If there is any curse to the 101.9 frequency, it goes way back to the WPIX days......where it was a multitude of formats.
And WQCD actually was pretty successful in New York with a very long shelf life. They got a nice run out of that!!