(September 6, 20120) Mark Wilson is heading back home. An STAA client and veteran Detroit radio and TV personality, Wilson has been hired as Program Director, Operations Manager and Evening Host for ESPN Detroit 1090.
A member of the Detroit radio, TV and print media community since 1992, Wilson returns to the Motor City following a stint in Las Vegas, NV.
“It’s kind of an odd combo (PD/OM and nights on-air),” says Wilson. “But we’re shaking things up and doing unconventional things in this wild and wacky 2012 world of sports radio.“
A multiple winner of the Michigan Best Sportscast Award by the Associated Press and Michigan Association of Broadcasters, Wilson takes over duties of positioning ESPN Radio in the nation’s 11th largest market for Birach Broadcasting.
“We’re very excited to have Mark on board. He’s a veteran guy who has been in Detroit radio and TV for years and won awards doing it. Mark is already making a big difference,” says Owner Sima Birach, Jr.
“I was thrilled to get Mark here to help us to another level. He gives the ESPN brand even more credibility right away,” says former NHL goaltender Eddie Mio, who is a host on the station.
Wilson has been an STAA client since 2008. “I really want to thank [STAA] for all their help and really appreciate having STAA as a sports media community,” says Wilson. “I send people to the site all the time because it’s the best out there.”
A graduate of Michigan State University, Wilson was active in radio and TV while in college. He joined Tim Staudt at WILX-TV in Lansing before being hired at South Florida powerhouse WTVJ-TV. During this time, he also did freelance reporting for ESPN, which he continued doing for many years. In the early 90’s, he spent time as Sports Director/Anchor at WJBK-TV Detroit and was part of the CBS changeover to FOX.
In 1998, Wilson went to work full-time for WDFN AM 1130 The Fan doing the morning drive program and creating a brand with current ESPN personality Rob Parker. “The Parker and The Man Show” moved to CBS’ WKRK 97.1 FM in 1999 and eventually went to #1 at night (men 25-54).
When 97.1 added the Red Wings and Tigers, Parker and Wilson took the show to Radio One’s WCHB AM 1200 where it lasted until the summer of 2008. The duo then worked on separate projects. One of those was a move out west.
“It was a bucket list item for me to do an entertainment-based talk show in Las Vegas. Jessica Hall worked on our midday show at KRK. We wanted to do a show together,” Wilson says. “Some just talk about the things they want to do but Jess and I went and did it and had a blast. Southern Nevada won’t be the same.”
Now he’s back in Motown.
“I’ve always loved this city. I have little use for people who do nothing but badmouth Detroit. In my two decades plus here I have only positive memories and experiences, many of those with Rob Parker. I also want to get Rob involved eventually.”
Wilson begins his program director/operations duties immediately. His nighttime show from 7-10 will follow soon — early in the NFL and college football seasons.
(Visit Mark’s STAA Talent Page).