New leadership propels WDET into national arena with fresh talk-show, music programming that gives Detroiters a “voice” to tell their story
Wayne State-owned public radio station actively fulfills university’s urban, community engagement mission
February 9, 2009 (Detroit, MI) – WDET-FM, the Detroit public radio station owned and operated by Wayne State University, today announced that it will institute a new programming line-up intended to deepen local service by better reflecting the ideas, musical tastes and attitudes that characterize the city and its people. The new format, which goes into effect on February 23, 2009, adds three hours of live, interactive programming to WDET’s weekday schedule and creative, Detroit-centric music shows on the weekend.
“As everyone in the region feels every day, Detroit has a set of unique, complicated and urgent needs,” said J. Mikel Ellcessor, the station’s new General Manager. “WDET’s schedule now more accurately addresses those needs and mirrors the city’s tone, style and approach. This schedule change will put WDET much more in step with Detroit in 2009. The new national programs will allow Detroit’s residents to feed their thoughts and experiences back up into the programming and give the city a new voice in the national dialogue. Given Detroit’s resilience and experience, the world will benefit from hearing what our listeners have to say.”
Monday through Friday, “Morning Edition” will run from 5 a.m. – 8:00 a.m. immediately followed by “The Takeaway” from 8:00 – 10:00 a.m., a newly added, live, morning news and analysis program co-produced by Public Radio International and WNYC Radio in collaboration with the BBC World Service, The New York Times and WGBH Boston. “The Takeaway,” which airs in 27 markets from coast-to-coast, invites listeners to become a part of the American conversation on-air and on-line at www.thetakeaway.org.
“Detroit Today,” previously heard each day from 10:00 a.m. – 12 Noon, will move back in the daily schedule to make way for “On Point”, from 10:00- 11:00 a.m., and the WDET favorite “Tell Me More,” moves to 11:00 a.m. – 12 Noon, from its former 1:00 p.m. time slot. “On Point” is a fast-paced, timely and interactive take on the day’s top stories. Hosted by award-winning journalist Tom Ashbrook, the show’s inclusive approach will welcome Detroit listeners into a national conversation. “Tell Me More” will get a second daily play from 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. The remainder of the weekday schedule includes many popular WDET programs: “Fresh Air,” “Detroit Today,” NPR’s “All Things Considered,” “Marketplace,” “The Ed Love Program,” “The Evolution of Jazz,” and BBC News from midnight to 5:00 a.m.
On the weekend, the most noteworthy schedule change is the addition of “Ann Delisi’s Essential Music.” Delisi, a graduate of Wayne State University and a former employee of WDET, has been an influential part of Detroit media for over 20 years.
“Ann’s new show will be a fun, contemporary and thoroughly hand-picked approach to music that moves Detroit,” said Ellcessor. “Ann will guide us through the essential music, both new and familiar, that’s shaping our culture and will feature music Made in Detroit every hour.” “Ann Delisi’s Essential Music” will air Saturday and Sunday, 12 Noon – 4 p.m.
According to Ellcessor, “WDET will best serve the community with programming and community engagement activities that emphasize the ideas behind the events. The station’s editorial and outreach activities will focus on Detroit’s Next Economy and our generation-spanning ties to the auto industry. We will welcome our listeners into conversation on health care and the health of our city, education, the environment, the arts and many other powerful, pressing issues facing one of the country’s most important cities.
“WDET is poised to occupy a needed, valuable space where we facilitate and stimulate informed conversation about ideas with the goal of providing our listeners with a deeper understanding of the world and greater connection to their community,” said Ellcessor. “We will continue to test our assumptions about how we tell a story and find new ways to include a more diverse cross section of Detroit voices, sources and opinions in our programming. Ultimately, the audience will tell us we are successful when they say, ‘WDET talks to me about where I live.’”
WDET Welcomes J. Mikel Ellcessor As General Manager
New Station Leader Brings More Than 20 Years Of Proven Management Experience In Major Market Public Radio Operations
November 19, 2008- WDET 101.9FM Detroit Public Radio, a community service of Wayne State University, is pleased to announce that J. Mikel Ellcessor has been selected to be the station’s new general manager beginning December 15, 2008. Ellcessor was selected following a national search for a candidate to lead WDET into the future.
J. Mikel Ellcessor was most recently the Executive Director of Radio for Milwaukee where he was responsible for all aspects of the project concept development and launched the new not-for-profit media service in 2006. RadioMilwaukee is a highly innovative media concept that uses contemporary music and community engagement strategies to draw younger, diverse audiences into public service media. Ellcessor also served as Senior Director of Programming Operations and Distribution at public radio flagship WNYC in New York. During his tenure at WNYC, he was responsible for the local programming, digital media, national program marketing and broadcast operations of one of the nation’s largest public radio operations.
“Mikel Ellcessor’s solid management experience in major media markets made him the ideal candidate to direct and shape WDET’s service to our community,” said Andrea Roumell Dickson, Wayne State University executive vice president and chief of staff. “His wealth of knowledge combined with his passion for public radio and commitment to make WDET a nationally recognized service will serve the station well.”
WDET has been a community service of Wayne State University since 1952. The station plays an important role in the University’s goal to develop community partnerships as a catalyst for the region’s social, cultural, economic and educational enrichment. As General Manager of WDET, Ellcessor plans to reach out into the community to assess how the station may best serve the metropolitan Detroit area.
“WDET has a profound and valuable role to play in Detroit, “said Ellcessor. “Changing technology has diminished the impact of physical distance and we can access great content from anywhere in the world, yet the need for meaningful connections with our communities has never been greater. Particularly in our great cities, there’s a deep, compelling need for locally responsive programming that embodies a very distinct point of view. This is WDET’s opportunity.”
