RCG Produces and "Rubins" Host Election Season TV Special

Hampton Roads residents wanting to get their arms around the November election could go to one source, "Virginia Votes 2008", a thirty minute special airing several times on Cox Cable Channel 11.

Cox 11 GM Dan Cawley approached Joel Rubin about producing the program and doing so at the 16th annual Kiwanis Harbor Party and Seafood Feast, which Cox helps sponsor and RCG promotes. So at the 2008 gathering, on October 2 at Town Point Park, RCG and Advance Video Service had two cameras on site and two pros to question the politicians in attendance and collect the necessary cover footage.

Joel Rubin, host of WVEC TV's On the Record, and his son Dan, who is an on-air reporter for WTKR TV News, produced stories on the U.S. Senate and Congressional races in Virginia, the contest for Mayor in Virginia Beach and another looking ahead to the campaign for governor of Virginia in 2009.

"When we decided to do the show, we immediately alerted the campaigns and candidates, and we had a number of them attend the event, many as sponsors which helped raise more money for the charities the Kiwanis Club of Norfolk supports," says David Brandt of RCG, who was a field producer for Virginia Votes. "Then we looked for companies to sponsor the show itself and were pleased when Virginia Natural Gas and BCS Voice and Data Solutions stepped up to do so. They got lots of mentions, and Hampton Roads got a well crafted program on the election, which included information about the Harbor Party and efforts Cox has made in the community to promote civic involvement."

"I loved working with my son for the first time on a local television show," says Joel Rubin. "He's a real up and comer, and I think anyone who knows us was probably intrigued to see us on camera together. I was proud."

"Virginia Votes 2008" is available on You Tube.