Episode 13 of Season 2 includes a fifty minute conversation with San Diego sports talk show host Mark Willard. The discussion focuses on Willard’s experiences in sports radio in Southern California, the difference in strategy between FOX Sports Radio and ESPN brands, the reasons behind Los Angeles not being a higher rated sports radio market, the pros and cons of working with a former athlete, how to handle social media, reaction to the Mike Felger commentary on Roy Halladay, whether WFAN and ESPN are still as desirable as they once were, working for PD Brian Long and much more.
Also, Jason runs thru this week’s 5 in 5 by sharing his thoughts on the end of Mike and Mike, the approval of the CBS-Entercom merger, another round of layoffs at ESPN, Mike Felger’s critical remarks of Roy Halladay following his death and Barstool Sports gaining its own channel on SiriusXM.
TOPICS EXPLORED WITH MARK WILLARD:
- Growing up listening to KNBR in the Bay Area
- Getting his first break to be on-air and call a game
- Landing a big opportunity with 690 in San Diego
- Being paired with Tony Bruno and how it helped his career
- How to judge if your approach is working or not on a national show
- The differences in LA radio between FOX Sports and ESPN
- What the benefits and challenges were working at 710 ESPN LA
- Why Los Angeles sports radio doesn’t rate higher
- Adjusting back to San Diego after working in Los Angeles
- How the loss of the Chargers has affected his content strategy
- Working with a former athlete and the pros and cons to it
- Navigating social media as a talent and his advice for handling it
- Reaction to Mike Felger’s commentary last week on Roy Halladay
- If WFAN and ESPN are still highly attractive sports media jobs
- Working for Brian Long and how their relationship has evolved
- Quick Hits: Best SD host, Best radio teacher, SD or LA, Texting baby
FROM THE GUEST
Mark’s Twitter handle: @Mark_T_Willard
EXTRA:
Be sure to check out Mark’s new podcast, Ballers and Babies. You can hear the first episode by clicking here.
Jason Barrett is the Founder and CEO of Barrett Media. The company launched in September 2015 and has provided consulting services to America’s top audio and video brands, while simultaneously covering the media industry at BarrettMedia.com, becoming a daily destination for media professionals. Prior to Barrett Media, Jason built and programmed 95.7 The Game in San Francisco, and 101 ESPN in St. Louis. He was also the first sports programmer for SportsTalk 950 in Philadelphia, which later became 97.5 The Fanatic. Barrett also led 590 The Fan KFNS in St. Louis, and ESPN 1340/1390 in Poughkeepsie, NY, and worked on-air and behind the scenes at 101.5 WPDH, WTBQ 1110AM, and WPYX 106.5. He also spent two years at ESPN Radio in Bristol, CT producing ‘The Dan Patrick Show’ and ‘GameNight’. JB can be reached on Twitter @SportsRadioPD or by email at Jason@BarrettMedia.com.
