Marc Chase | |
|---|---|
| Occupations | President, Tribune Interactive - Tribune Company |
| Employer | Tribune Media |
| Website | http://www.tribune.com |
Marc Chase (born April 7, 1960) (aka Mark Thompson) is an American radio executive currently working for Tribune Company as the President of Tribune Interactive. [1]
Chase, although born in Indiana, considers himself a native of Alabama. He entered radio broadcasting as a disc-jockey for WRFS in Alexander City, Alabama while attending Auburn University. His on-air career took him to WJHO-Opelika, Alabama, WFRI-Auburn, Alabama, WSGF-Savannah, Georgia, and WMJJ-Birmingham. In August 1984 he was approached by WKXX-Birmingham. [ citation needed ] In the process of making that move, his name changed to Marc Chase. The next move was to WYHY-Nashville where he became Program Director and led the station to its first ever #1 Arbitron ratings in 1987. In October 1989, Marc Chase left Nashville to become the Program Director and morning co-host of “The Power Pig” (WFLZ-Tampa). [2] The Power Pig became the number one radio station in Tampa, unseating legendary CHR station WRBQ-FM (Q105) in 74 days. In January 1994, Chase left WFLZ to become the operations manager of WEBN-Cincinnati. [3]
When radio began deregulation in 1996, Chase was appointed Regional Vice President of Programming for Jacor Communications. When Jacor was purchased by Clear Channel Communications in 1998, Chase became a Senior Vice President of Programming, a job he held for over a decade. [3]
Chase has been the recipient of Radio and Records Awards in multiple formats (CHR and Rock) for programmer and station of the Year (WYHY, WFLZ, WEBN).[ citation needed ] Marc Chase was the first program director to ever win Billboard Magazines Program Director of the week award twice in one year (1989).[ citation needed ] He was also named one of the best program directors in Radio by the Trade Magazine Radio Ink. [4]
Marc Chase also uses his entertainment talent on the weekly television show Movie Underground on WGN America, playing the character of the Night Watchman. [5] Chase has been playing the Night Watchman since 2008.