It started as a simple assignment: to pitch a proposal involving a type of media as part of a final project. However, senior Gerardo Marroquin and junior Marcel Guadron took it to a whole new level, making their fictional station ElectroBeat Radio a worldwide reality this semester.
Flashback to last spring: Marroquin and Guadron, both Walton students, enrolled in a media programming and management class.
Kara Gould, associate professor of broadcasting, said she assigned students to pitch an idea for a website, podcast, television show or radio as their final projects. Combining their skills in multi-media, the duo developed a one-of-a-kind online radio station.
“Marcel and Gerry are very talented broadcasters,” Gould said. “[They were] the ones who decided to bring their project into the real world. I am exceedingly proud of their work.”
From the beginning, Marroquin said they did not see the project as an assignment, but a chance to do something real. Though the idea was simple, they both admit it became difficult as time went on.
“It was hard at times, but you don’t always get a chance to do this, especially back home,” Marroquin said.
They began facing issues when it came time to get the right to not only broadcast, but also to obtain the rights to the music itself. Because ElectroBeat mostly plays remixed versions of hit songs, the station has flexibility when it comes to airing the content, Guadron explained.
Little by little, the team’s hard work paid off, as they introduced ElectroBeat to the public earlier this month.
Now, with only two weeks of hosting under their belts, Marroquin and Guadron continue to receive positive feedback.
Within its first broadcast the station is being heard in over four countries including Belize, Guatemala, Mexico and the U.S. The station’s Facebook page nearly doubled in size within a week.
Though Guardon and Marroquin syndicate the two-hour show in Spanish, they broadcast the best in electronic and dance music from around the world, featuring artists such as Rihanna, Pitbull and David Guetta.
Their mission is to entertain people with the best music and videos. During the bumper times, the station’s social media pages blow up with encouraging words from friends, along with song request and shout-outs.
Their objective of promoting DJs who are just starting in the world of electronic music sets them apart from any other station.
“We want to introduce people to music they have never heard of, and at the same time help unknown DJs to get discovered,” Marroquin said.
Currently the guys have signed a deal with an underground DJ in Switzerland, allowing them to play his material starting on Sept. 28. They are also proud to announce that Apple approved the station’s first app, free of charge, for on-the-go use for release in two weeks.
Though it is easy to get caught up in the sudden attention they are receiving, the guys continue remain humble as they “run the night” by catering to the needs of the audience.
“Remember, this show is for you,” Guadron reminded the audience as another night of broadcasting came to an end.
ElectroBeat Radio airs live every Friday starting at 7 p.m. For more information on how to tune in, visit electrobeatradio.com