The Virginian-Pilot
©
VIRGINIA BEACH
Inspired innovation or wacky publicity stunt? You decide.
Local radio station WXMM has turned off the rock and replaced it with Chinese music, renaming itself Kung Pao 100.5 FM.
"I've looked at the numbers, and they don't li e," Eric Mas tel, president of Max Media, which owns WXMM, said in a news release announcing the switch Thursday. "There's literally a clamoring for Classic Chinese Hits."
The release promises Chinese songs from the '70s through the '90s, and the station's revamped Web site, www.kungpao1005.com, pictures Chinese rock stars such as Fish Leong, Li Yuchun and Fan Bing Bing.
But WXMM played traditional instrumental Chinese music Friday.
Max Media took over WXMM in 2005. A representative at WXMM said Mastel was out Friday but did not say whether it was for a lunch of moo shu pork and lo mein.
The station and its Web site bore more than a few hints that the switch might not be for real, with references aplenty to China's Communist government.
In a note on its home page, titled "A Message From The Leader," Mastel promised "worldwide musical revolution."
The site's contact list had titles such as "propaganda minister," with e-mail addresses including "peoplesrep.com." Among the on-air personalities: "The Wake Up Gang of Four."
A promo on the radio implored listeners: "Come and join the party. The Kung Pao party."
"It appears to be a stunt to break from their previous format," said Mike Beck, operations manager for FM 99 WNOR, "but it doesn't indicate what they might do next. FM99 is going to keep rocking like it has for the last 40 years."
Debra Colvin, creative director at Seventh Point, an advertising, marketing and public relations agency in Virginia Beach, called it "a very clever way to break through the noise and get their name out."
"The social media is going crazy - they're all over it," Colvin said. "They're on the air, and people are listening. These people have hit a home run."
Philip Walzer, (757) 222-3864, phil.walzer@pilotonline.com
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I agree...
I agree with vabeachgirl. I cannot stand morning "talk" on the other stations. If I wanted to listen to talk radio, then I would. The MAXX had music every morning. So does my MP3 player. Bring back the REAL music.
WXMM switch is upsetting
I have been listening to 100.5 when it switched from classic country to Rock. This is my favorite station and I am sure can you see my disappointment in the current switch. 106.9 and 98.7 does not have the music that 100.5 had. I hope this is just a hoax. Myself and everyone I associate with listen to the station and this is all we could talk about this weekend, "SOMEONE TOOK MY RADIO STATION OFF THE AIR". The station seemed to have a very good listener base and following. I do not understand why this "someone" would make such a bad decision. In the mean time I will be listening to my MP3 player.
Beer 100.5
Mancow has been off WROX for a couple of weeks now and the Mancow people are talking about being back on the air in this market soon.
I expect to hear Mancow on 100.5 Monday morning.
The Chinese music is a dumb stunt.
Yes, it generates a buzz, but I doubt it will generate any listeners.
Johnk wish granted
To Johnk, your wish has been granted. Mancow has been gone for almost a month now.
Yawn..
I don't listen to them anyways. Now, I have one more reason not to!
change it back!
I'm pretty disappointed with this decision. Max FM supplied a constant stream of modern rock that I couldn't get from 96X or FM99. 96X has WAY too much talking in the afternoon and not enough hard rock all day. FM99 has WAY too much talking in the morning, and WAY too much old-fogey rock any other time (for lack of a better term). Max FM was simple and to the point...all about the music. Unlike other stations, on Max FM I didn't have to suffer through listening to self-absorbed DJs give me their opinion about everything under the sun...it was just straight ROCK, which was perfect. Max FM was the best rock station to come along for YEARS, and now it's replaced with the Classical Chinese? This reminds of calling a customer service line and being asked to press "1" for English...and when you finally get a real person they are in India of all places. Now our American rock music is being replaced. What's next?
"FM99 is going to keep
"FM99 is going to keep rocking like it has for the last 40 years."
That statement is even more laughable than Max Media's stunting, considering FM99's complete ratings meltdown over the last ten years or so.
As for the format, if there's anyone who doesn't see this as stunting, he should contact me. I have a bridge he/she might be interested in purchasing.
Chinese Music
What a great idea.....now people can listen to the music as they tear out all the Chinese drywall. 'should make the job more pleasant? nah!
Please please let Mancow be next!
I hope the next change we see is getting rid of that moron Mancow in the Morning on 96X.
I'd like to see Elliot's show come here. He's out of DC and you can pick up his show out of Richmond. Much more entertaining and has more of a regional flair. And cheaper than Mancow who seems to be the King of ADD.
Word on the street...
is that starting Monday their real format will be top 40 similar to Z104