LOS ANGELES, CA--(Marketwired - Dec 8, 2014) - Bonneville International Corporation's radio station KSWD, 100.3 FM "The Sound" has signed legendary Los Angeles morning radio personality Mark Thompson to host an all-new morning show for the top-rated Rock station in the market, it was announced jointly today by Peter W. Burton, Vice President and General Manager, and Dave Beasing, Program Director. This marks not only Thompson's return to Los Angeles following his departure from KLOS-FM in August of 2012, but also his return to broadcast radio.
"For me to return to mornings on LA's white-hot radio station, The Sound, is beyond exciting," said Thompson. "I want to thank Peter Burton and Dave Beasing for their unbridled passion in making this happen. To all my old and new listening friends in LA: You should brace yourself, my people, because there is an entertainment storm coming and an umbrella won't help you."
"Mark's return is probably the biggest thing to happen to LA radio since his departure. There's been a huge void in local morning radio," said Burton. Added Beasing, "The Sound will continue to be all about the music, and Mark will create a daily shared experience that Classic Rock fans won't want to miss."
"Mark in the Morning" will air each Monday through Friday. Listeners can count on a rich mix of music and fun conversation, celebrity interviews, comedy -- and the type of spontaneous moments that happen naturally when Mark Thompson and a radio mic appear in close proximity. Above all, it will be four hours each day with one of the most relatable superstars of radio.
The new morning show comes at a time when 100.3 The Sound is posting its best ratings since it appeared on the scene in 2008. So far in 2014, the station's audience has increased a remarkable 77% (6A-Mid Mon-Sun 6+ Average Quarter Hour, Nielsen Audio). Overall, The Sound is the top-ranked Rock station in Los Angeles. The readers of Classic Rock magazine recently voted 100.3 The Sound as their favorite station in a large market.
About the team he'll be working with at The Sound, Thompson said, "I will once again embrace my dear friends Joe Benson, Rita Wilde, and Cynthia Fox from my KLOS days." Thompson is the latest of several iconic Rock DJs to join The Sound staff, including Uncle Joe Benson (formerly of KLOS and KCBS), Cynthia Fox (KMET, KLSX) and Rita Wilde (KLOS, KEZY). As hosted by Benson, The Sound's morning show audience has grown 97% this year. Starting in February, Joe will segue to middays on The Sound, beginning each program at 10 AM with The Sound's "10 at 10," featuring "10 great songs from 1 great year." Middays on The Sound are currently hosted by Andy Chanley, who will join the cast of "Mark in the Morning" working with Thompson. Julie Slater will continue to host afternoon drive on The Sound.
About Mark Thompson:
Mark has been working in radio for 45 years and been doing morning radio for 35 years, 25 of which were spent here in Los Angeles.
Mark received the Marconi award, considered to be the Academy Award of the radio business, and was named "Air Personality of the Year" by Billboard Magazine on two different occasions. He won an Emmy Award for co-hosting the Andy Griffith Christmas Special for Fox, and he received his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, located directly in front of the Hollywood Wax Museum.
Mark was part of NBC's fall schedule in 1991, starring in "The Adventures of Mark and Brian." He has appeared in numerous other television shows, including "Reba," "Cheers," "Wings" and "Dharma and Greg." His feature film work includes roles in "Rocky V," "Escape from LA" and "Princess Diaries."
Mark wrote and starred in two independent films. "Mother Ghost" received four best picture awards, and Mark received an award for Best Screenplay. Leonard Maltin reviewed the film saying, "How refreshing to find an American film that's willing to deal with a real-life, adult situation in a way that's both mature and entertaining. I admired this film -- and I enjoyed it too." Mark's second film is the psychological thriller "2:13." He stars in the film along with Teri Polo, Kevin Pollak and Dwight Yoakum.
In his latest venture Mark has launched "M and L Studios," which is home to numerous Podcasts or Internet audio shows. The shows include, "The Mark and Lynda Podcast," which Mark does with his wife of 32 years, "Cool Stories In Music," which is soon to be syndicated, "The Pro Football Slam With Mark and Sam," and "I Really Love Movies."
About Bonneville International Corporation:
Founded in 1964, Bonneville International currently owns and operates 12 radio stations and one TV station in the Los Angeles, Seattle, Phoenix, and Salt Lake City markets. Bonneville International is headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Contact Information:
Media Contact:
Paul Gendreau
PGPR
818-693-0245
