You might say Shruti Marathe was destined to be General Manager of WJPZ. She followed other alumni in working at her high school radio station in New Jersey. And when she got to Syracuse, her peer mentor was none other than Sam Kandell.
Shruti, or "Loops," was, like so many of us, taken by the culture and family environment of Z89. She quickly became an AP on the Z Morning Zoo and learned just as much about WJPZ culture as she did about performing on the radio. (And yes, she tells the story of how she ended up with the nickname that she still goes by now, in Los Angeles).
She talks about how the dynamic duo of Sam Kandell and Matt Gehring were referred to as "Mom and Dad" at the station. The latter is still "Dad" in her phone, which has led to some awkward moments!
Shruti wanted to continue the family atmosphere she witnessed at the station from day one. She became legal director, and eventually general manager, where she continued the tradition of making WJPZ the world's greatest media classroom.
Following graduation, Loops went out to LA. She spent a lot of time under the mentorship of the late Larry Barron. While most of us know what a legacy Larry left to the station in the 80's and 90's, he was still helping and connecting even our more recent grads, all the way up until his passing.
Shruti really has embraced her Los Angeles Orange community, to the point where she's been asked if she has any local friends that didn't go to Syracuse. And in her time there, Loops has worked for Ace Entertainment, The Cartel, and now Lilly Singh's company, Unicorn Island.
We wrap with a laugh, and how the Rednex cover of Cotton Eyed Joe played into her college experience.
The WJPZ at 50 Podcast Series is produced by Jon Gay, Class of 2002, and his podcast production agency, JAG in Detroit Podcasts.
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