In the Spotlight: ‘Arlington Proud’ Founder Mark Joeckel
By Alexis Selvera
Posted on April 05, 2017, April 05, 2017

Founder Mark Joeckel

Mark Joeckel is passionate about Arlington.

His "Arlington Proud" campaign started out simply as a Facebook page in 2012 but has since grown into a social media network with 40,000 followers. The positive community response inspired Joeckel to also start his own radio program, The Mark Joeckel Show, which celebrated its 100th show milestone on BizTalk Arlington earlier this year.

"My kids were on social media so I figured why not," Joeckel said about creating Arlington Proud. "It was easy to start a Facebook page and I started posting about my daily life. I was just telling my story and it struck a nerve with others. Then it just exploded."

In addition to his radio show, Joeckel said he aims to keep citizens, businesses and visitors engaged and informed about what's happening in The American Dream City through the Arlington Proud Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and other social media accounts. Joeckel and Arlington journalist and historian O.K. Carter also launched a community speaker series known as Arlington On Tap, featuring topics such as history, humor, economic development, research at the University of Texas at Arlington and more.

"This is all a part of our story," Joeckel said. "We are building our case that this a great place to live."

By highlighting safe neighborhoods, excellent schools, affordable housing, plethora of parks, cultural and performing arts, walkability and unique locally owned restaurants, Joeckel said Arlington Proud promotes Arlington as an ideal place to live, work, play and learn.

Those are frequent topics on The Mark Joeckel Show, which was the first Arlington radio program to be featured on BizTalkRadio.

The Mark Joeckel Show offers listeners a variety of fresh topics and segments, including small business and nonprofit spotlights, live local music sessions, high school sports, cultural arts, national politics, local issues, book club discussions and Foodie Fridays.

Listeners are currently able to tune in from 3 to 5 p.m. every Monday through Friday on KFJZ 870 AM, channel 55.6 or anytime through the new BizTalkArlington app on Android and iPhone. The Mark Joeckel show is also streamed on BizTalk Arlington's website, Facebook Live and Periscope.

But as early as May, The Mark Joeckel Show will transition into a digital TV program that will air on the soon-to-launch BizTV Texas. The program will continue to stream online and through the BizTalk app, Joeckel said.

Joeckel also emphasizes having locals come into the studio to be a part of the show. Some of the recent guests include the Flight 12 Improv Comedy Troupe, veteran journalist Karen Borta and heavy metal musician Jerry Warden.

"If you tune in, you might know someone who is on the show that day," Joeckel said.

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