Posted by chicagomedia.org on March 20, 2009 at 09:51:38:
Top anchor Suppelsa savors dual roles on WGN-Ch. 9, The Mix
March 20, 2009
LEWIS LAZARE | Chicago Sun-Times
Mark Suppelsa, one of Chicago's top-notch TV news anchors, is now settled in at Tribune Broadcasting's WGN-Channel 9 and is about to renew his ties to WTMX-FM (101.9), where he has been a morning drive news anchor for the last year. We thought it was time to catch up with him:
Q. You're about to sign a new deal to continue as a news anchor on the morning drive "Eric & Kathy Show" on WTMX-FM (101.9), while also carrying on as co-anchor of the WGN-Channel 9 evening newscast. That's a grueling schedule. Do you think it's worth it, and how do you cope?
A. You can't do this without a supportive wife and kids. We've adjusted at home here and there to make it work. But trust me, on weekends they can't get rid of dad when I'm sure sometimes they'd like to. "Go run some errands or something!" Also, the management teams at WGN and WTMX have been amazingly supportive. I feel like the luckiest guy in town waking up laughing with Eric and Kathy and finishing the workday at a place like WGN with Tom Skilling and the gang.
Q. You're a veteran in this market. Do you ever recall a time when the television industry -- especially locally -- was facing such difficult circumstances?
A. It has probably never been this tough when you consider operating margins might struggle to be as high as they were in the past. Yet there's opportunity in our business that shouldn't be overlooked. Overall, people are reading, listening and watching news more than ever before. Yes, it's a challenge as the delivery methods change. Sales and marketing teams are working on how to be profitable while harnessing the newest technologies. It's one reason why I Facebook during my newscasts. We're reaching out to viewers and listeners in ways I'd have never dreamed when I first stood in front of a camera 25 years ago.
Q. Last summer, you moved to WGN-Channel 9 from WFLD-Channel 32. What sort of considerations does a prominent anchor take into account when making such a move -- aside from money, of course?
A. One never takes a career move lightly. I ran through all the factors and scenarios a million times before deciding to head to Channel 9. In the end, you simply look at how your strengths and abilities will mesh with the stated plans of the company, and you go with it. That's not to demean my previous workplace. I've got many friends over there. But I think I made the right choice joining WGN and haven't looked back.
Q. What about the Chicago news market makes it a great news market?
A. Well, tradition is a key motivator. We reporters should be driven to carry that torch. The residents here expect better because they're news-savvy. I feel I know because I too grew up here watching. It's a great yet complex metro area with many opportunities for a journalist to keep his or her eyes open and notepad ready. Now we've got a sitting president, a chance at the Olympics, plus a steady stream of newsmakers and politicians who keep our cameras rolling. Where else would a newsman want to be?
Q. Tribune Broadcasting is about to merge the staffs of unionized WGN-Channel 9 and its nonunion CLTV. What do you think will be the greatest challenges restructuring?
A. What TV station wouldn't want more people and resources in a newsroom these days? We'll let management and the unions settle the details. But when other stations in town are facing cutbacks, I see this as an addition to an already strong news team. We'll open the door wide for our CLTV brethren.