BROADCASTERS FOUNDATION OF AMERICA On The Air Funding provided by the Taisho! Family Foundation Spring 2012
2012 Golden Mike Recipient Dennis Swanson The mission of the Broadcasters Foundation of America is to improve the quality of life and maintain the personal dignity of men and women in the radio and television broadcast profession who find themselves in acute need. The foundation reaches out across the country to identify and provide an anonymous safety net in cases of critical illness, advanced age, death of a spouse, accident and other serious misfortune. The Broadcasters Foundation of America is a 501(c)3 Public Charity. On The Air
Sol Taishoff Lawrence B. Taishoff 1905-1982 1933-2006 Taishoff Family Foundation contents volume 17 issue 1 Spring 2012 In addition to their commitment to journalistic causes and "e Taisho! Family Foundation a free press, the Taisho! Family Foundation is also active in 4 Chairman’s & President’s Message was established by the late Law- improving the lives of people with intellectual disabilities. "e Foundation has developed resources to help educate so- 7 Guardian Fund rence B. Taisho! and his son Rob ciety about the special skills and talents of people with Down 8 Golden Mike Award in honor of their legendary fa- syndrome, autism and traumatic brain injury, to name a few. Toward this goal, the Taisho! Family Foundation has 17 Broadcasters Foundation ther and grandfather Sol Taisho!, established the Lawrence B. Taisho! Center for Inclusive Awards Honorees Higher Education at Syracuse University. the founder and editor-in-chief of 18 Statesmen - Jim Delmonico Broadcasting magazine. "e Taisho!s also provided critical initial funding for the Library of American Broadcasting, now located at the As journalists and publishers, Sol and Larry Taisho! played University of Maryland. Sol Taisho! himself was one of the a seminal role in the development of the radio and television founders of the Broadcast Pioneers organization which, as industry in America. As champions of a free and unfettered you know, has now become the national charitable endeavor broadcasting profession, Broadcasting magazine was created known as the Broadcasters Foundation of America which as the instrument and manifestation of their devotion to re- you and so many of our colleagues support. semble a “sentinel on the Potomac” to warn against govern- ment intrusion into the creative processes and activities of Today, the Taisho! Family Foundation is administered On The Air is a free news and feature publication, radio and television broadcasters. by the third generation of family members who support, offered to the Broadcasters Foundation of America members and friends, and is published three among their many worthwhile endeavors, the National Press times a year by the: "e Taisho!s devoted their entire lives to extending the Foundation which annually presents the Sol Taisho! Award Broadcasters Foundation of America values and protections of the First Amendment to “"e 125 West 55th Street/21st Floor for Excellence in Electronic Journalism. New York, NY 10019 Fi#h Estate” which was the designation bestowed upon the www.broadcastersfoundation.org broadcasting fraternity by Sol Taisho! so many years ago. Retired Captain Robert Taisho! 212-373-8250 USN, is the chairman of the Taisho! Family Foundation. Publisher: Jim Thompson "e vision and foresight of both Taisho!s o#en caused them Editor: Renee Cassis Design: Katz Media Group, Creative Services to be allied on many of the great issues of the day with the "e Broadcasters Foundation of work and example of one of our own founding chairman America extends its deep gratitude to the Taisho! family for For feature story contributions or to request Ward L. Quaal. In 2009, the Taisho! family was honored another copy of this publication, please call the carrying on the legacy of their illustrious forebears by un- Broadcasters Foundation of America at with a Ward L. Quaal Pioneer Award. derwriting On !e Air magazine, which is distributed widely 212-373-8250, or you may email any questions throughout the broadcast industry. and/or comments [email protected].
ON THE AIR SPRING 2012 3 BROADCASTERS FOUNDATION OF AMERICA Philip J. Lombardo Chairman chairman’s message Richard A. Foreman Vice Chairman The hope of the Board of the Broadcasters Foundation is that James B. Thompson President no call for help from a broadcaster will ever go unanswered. Carl Butrum In 2012, we anticipate that the Foundation will disburse more Vice President than $700,000 in assistance. The requests for aid are coming BOARD OF DIRECTORS: in at a faster pace than the donations. Our goal is to close that Edward F. McLaughlin gap and we need every broadcaster to help us do it. Chairman, Emeritus In tribute to Jim Delmonico, the former Chairman whose Joseph C. Amaturo The Amaturo Family Foundation, Inc. leadership and vision had a dramatic influence on the growth David J. Barrett of our organization, I ask you to help us answer these cries President/CEO, Hearst Television Inc. from help from our colleagues. Jim passed away earlier this George G. Beasley Chairman/CEO, Beasley Broadcast Group, Inc. year, but his legacy for resurrecting the Broadcasters Founda- Philip R. Beuth tion lives on. You can read more about Jim in the Statesmen Capital Cities, ret. column of this issue of On the Air. I hope you will be inspired Joseph M. Bilotta President/CEO, Buckley Broadcasting Corp. by his commitment to giving back with your membership or a personal or corporate dona- Richard J. Bodorff tion today. The Broadcasters Foundation is an organization that you may never need, but Partner, Wiley Rein LLP with your help, we will always be there for you or someone you may know. Del R. Bryant President/CEO, BMI Rebecca S. Campbell Thank you, President, ABC Owned Television Stations Group Gary R. Chapman LIN TV Corp., ret. Erica Farber President, Radio Advertising Bureau Philip J. Lombardo Richard Ferguson Chairman Cox Radio, ret. Joseph M. Field Chairman, Entercom Skip Finley president’s message Noepe Communications LLC Michael J. Fiorile Every year, our spring edition of On the Air celebrates the ac- Vice-Chairman/CEO, Dispatch Broadcast Group Alan W. Frank complishments of our most recent Golden Mike Award recipi- President, Post-Newsweek Stations, Inc. ent. This year, we honored Fox-TV’s Dennis Swanson, a broad- Mark Gray caster who has profoundly impacted the broadcast industry. President, Katz Radio Group Ralph Guild From hiring an unknown young woman named Oprah Winfrey President, Guild Media LLC in Chicago, to persuading the International Olympic Commit- Broadcasters Foundation of America Celebrity Golf Tournament Wade Hargrove, Esq. tee to stagger its winter and summer games, Dennis is a leader Partner, Brooks Pierce McLendon Humphrey & Leonard LLP whose influence has been industry-wide. Louis Hillelson The black-tie Golden Mike dinner on February 27th at the Pla- Vice-President, Group Publisher New Bay Media za hotel in New York City raised more than $250,000 to help Paul Karpowicz President/CEO, Meredith Broadcasting Group the mission of the Broadcasters Foundation to provide aid to N. Scott Knight broadcasters in desperate need. President/CEO, KQS Jerry Lee President, WBEB-FM To further help raise funds for our mission, we held the annual Philip J. Lombardo Charity Springfield, New Jersey Jerry Levy Golf Tournament at the Wynn on Sunday, April 15 during the recent National Association President, JL Media Inc. of Broadcasters (NAB) Show in Las Vegas. Deborah Norville Monday, September 17, 2012 Inside Edition The annual Broadcasters Foundation Breakfast was held at the Wynn on Wednesday, April William O’Shaughnessy Chairman, WVOX/WVIP-Whitney Media 18, also in conjunction with the NAB Show. The Ward L. Quaal Leadership Awards were Co-Chairs: I. Martin Pompadur presented to, Carl Brazell, Brian Cobb, John Dimling ,Ralph Guild, Jack Sander and Larry President, IMP Media Management, LLC Wilson. The Lowry Mays Excellence in Broadcasting Award was given posthumously to Joseph Reilly Mark Lund/E.V. P. , Sales NYSBA, ret. Rick Buckley, former CEO of Buckley Broadcasting who passed away last July. The Foun- NBC Owned Television Stations Sandy Schwartz dation also honored Jim Delmonico with the Chairman’s Award. We’ll have more details President, Manheim and photographs from both NAB events in our next issue of On the Air. Gordon H. Smith Spencer Brown/CEO, Dial Global President/CEO, National Association of Broadcasters Jeffrey H. Smulyan During this past holiday season, you may have noticed our Giving Campaign ads in radio Chairman/CEO, Emmis Communications and television trade publications. Our heartfelt gratitude to all of the industry trades for George Stephanopoulos their support and for providing us with a means of getting our message to the thousands of Good Morning America Dennis Swanson radio and television professionals across the country. These messages help us raise money President, Fox Television Stations Group and also alert those who need us that we are here to help. Nicholas J. Verbitsky Chairman, United Stations Radio Networks Thank you, Diana Wilkin President, CBS Television Affiliate Relations Ed Wilson Dream Catcher Media LLC For more information and to reserve your spot, please visit www.broadcastersfoundation.org or contact The Broadcasters Foundation of America at 212-373-8250 or [email protected] OFFICERS: President The Broadcasters Foundation of America is a 501(c)3 Public Charity Colleen Gally, Asst. Treasurer/CFO, Broadcasters Foundation of America Citadel Communications Co, Ltd. Jeff Haley, President/CEO, Marketron Steve Lanzano, President, Television Advertising Bureau the guardian fund
A Commitment We Share Together, Let’s Support the Guardian Fund. By Dan Mason
Each day, we all face tests of the commitments we hold. Whether it’s a personal commitment or a professional one, our character is often determined by how well we adhere to our values and honor the promises we’ve made to those around us. As fellow broadcasters, I believe there’s one commitment that has the potential to bind our community together—to support our colleagues in need.
Regardless of your company or job title, we all share a passion fund was created to ensure those in need will receive for radio and television, and a desire to further our industry assistance in perpetuity. and honor those who paved the way. It is not surprising that this year, the Foundation is Many of our fellow broadcasters in need, through no fault receiving more requests for aid than ever before. Each of their own, face enormous medical costs, a devastating di- one is carefully reviewed and grants are awarded based agnosis or personal loss. Some are simply trying to get back on the needs of each individual case. Some recipients on their feet after encountering horrific natural disasters receive one-time emergency grants, while others need that have destroyed their homes and communities. Many monthly assistance. The Foundation’s mission is to are at the end of long and dedicated broadcasting careers, serve as many as possible. while others are young and only just beginning. I encourage you to join me and make a commitment Together, we have the capacity to provide dignity, encour- to this worthy and invaluable cause. I see the work that agement and especially hope to those who are suffering they do and more importantly the results for those who among us. Please consider donating to the Guardian Fund need a helping hand. Your support will make a world of created by the Broadcasters Foundation of America. This difference to a fellow broadcaster in need.
ON THE AIR SPRING 2012 7 the 2o12 ore than 250 radio and television celebrities and broadcasters I gathered to honor Dennis Swanson, President of Station Golden M ke Award Operations for FOX Television Stations, at the black-tie gala at the Honors FOX-TV’s Plaza Hotel in New York City on February 27th. Inside Edition’s Deborah Norville hosted the event. She was joined by presenters Roger Ailes of Fox News, Dr. Mehmet Oz, the syndicated TV show host and cardiac surgeon, Elsie McCabe !ompson of the Museum for African Art, and Larry Wert of NBC-TV. Celebrity attendees included Gianni Russo, the actor who played Carlo in !e Godfather, Fox 5 News Anchors Ernie Anastos and Dari Alexander, Fox News Political Commentator Dana Perino, Mayor David Dinkins, TV and radio sportscaster CJ Papa, WABC-TV News Anchor Radio and Television Celebrities Raise Sade Baderinwa, and WABC-TV News Meteorologist Lee Goldberg. $25o,ooo to Help Broadcasters in Need Songwriter and former American Idol judge Kara DioGuardi regaled the audience with a stirring performance of popular hits she co-wrote for some of today’s biggest artists.
Event photographer: Wendy Moger-Bross 2012 golden mike award
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1. Jim Thompson, Dr. Mehmet and Lisa Oz, Dennis Swanson, Deborah Norville, and Phil Lombardo 2. Dave Davis and Sada Baderinwa 5 3. Scott Pinker, Kevin Brazil, Maria Dreyer, Dr. Mehmet and Lisa Oz, and Tina Tung 6 4. Dick Bodorff and Peter Leibman
5. Dave Widmer, Dick Novik, and Ed Levine 1. Ed Levine, Maire Mason, David Feinblatt, and David Donovan 6. Dennis Wharton, Louis Hillelson, 2. Diana Wilkin and Michael Fiorile Deborah Norville, and Bill McGorry 3. David Wisnia, Preston Farr, Mike O’Neill, Dave Comisar, and John Orlando 4. Larry Wert and Deborah Norville 5. Alan Frank, and Roger Ailes 6. Michael Harrison and Deobrah Parenti 7. CJ Papa and Dave Widmer
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5 1. Deborah Norville, Phil Lombardo, Dr. Mehmet and Lisa Oz, Jim Thompson, and Jack Abernathy 2. Elsie McCabe Thompson 3. Mike Kinkaid, Julio Marenghi, Dennis Swanson, John Moczulski, Don Corsini 5 4. Dave Alpert and Greg Hughes 6 5. Gianni Russo and Joe Reilly 6. Ray Cole, Lisa and Dr. Mehmet Oz 1. Dolores Nolan, Jim Thompson, Renee Cassis, and Cindy Sivak (standing) Connie McKiernan and Janice Garjian (seated) 2. Dennis Swanson, and Dr. Sapna Parikh 3. Scott Knight, Kate Iacocca Hentz, Molly Hentz, CJ Papa, Deidre Lorentz, and Ned Hentz 4. Scott Moody, Jean Dietze, Chris Cornelius, and Randy Bongarten 5. Dennis Swanson, David Dinkins, and Dr. Mehmet Oz 6. Herb and Ann Granath, Kathy and Dennis Swanson
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1. Fred and Sue Schwien, Dennis and Kathy Swanson, Carol and Ward Glassmeyer, and Erika Vasconcellos 1. Ned Hentz, Don Lowery, Spike McClure, Mark Lund, and Scott Knight 2. Joe Bilotta, Dan Spears, and Greg Bilotta 2. Denise and Brian Cobb 3. Dari Alexander, Ernie Anastos, and Dr. Mehmet Oz 3. Phil Lombardo, Jim Yager, and Chris Cornelius 4. Alan Frank, and Dennis Swanson 4. Al McGowan, Jim Thompson, and Tim Chambers 5. Ray Cole, Deborah Norville, and Wade Hargrove 5. Dick Foreman, Jerry Lee, and Joe Bilotta 6. Kim and Phil Lombardo 6. Wade Hargrove, Deborah Norville, Phil Lombardo, and Ray Cole 7. Michael Fiorile, Jim Yager, Chris Cornelius and Dennis Wharton
14 SPRING 2012 ON THE AIR ON THE AIR SPRING 2012 15 2012 golden mike award foundation awards
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12 The 2012 Ward L. Quaal Leadership Awards The Lowry Mays Excellence in Broadcasting Award And the Special Chairman’s Award
During its annual industry breakfast, the 3 Broadcasters Foundation of America
4 continued its tradition of presenting !e 2012 Ward L. Quaal Leadership !e 2012 Ward L. Quaal Leadership Awards Awards and !e Lowry Mays Recipients are: Carl Brazell, Chairman & CEO of Metromedia International Excellence in Broadcasting Award, plus Group, Retired;
the special Chairman’s Award. Brian Cobb, President, Cobb Corporation Held in conjunction with the National Association of John Dimling, Former Chairman, Nielsen Media Research Broadcasters (NAB) Show in Las Vegas on Wednesday, April 18th, the complimentary event was made possible Ralph Guild, Former Chairman, Interep and President, by the National Association of Media Brokers (NAMB), Guild Media Arbitron, the Television Bureau of Advertising (TVB), Frank N. Magid Associates, and the NAB). Jack Sander, Vice Chairman, Media Operations, Belo Corporation, Retired !e Ward L. Quaal, Leadership Awards are named Larry Wilson, Former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, 5 6 in honor of the iconic broadcaster. !e awards are presented each year to six broadcasters whose careers Citadel Radio and current radio station owner have impacted the industry and whose lives have made a di"erence in the community at large. !e Awards are !e 2012 Lowry Mays Excellence in Broadcasting underwritten by the Hubbard Broadcasting Foundation. Award posthumously honored: Rick Buckley, Former President and Chief Executive Officer !e Lowry Mays Excellence in Broadcasting Award of Buckley Broadcasting annually honors an individual in broadcasting whose work exemplifies innovation, community service, !e 2012 Chairman’s Award posthumously presented to: advocacy and entrepreneurship. !e Award salutes its Jim Delmonico, Former Chairman of the Broadcasters namesake, who is a legend in the broadcasting industry, Foundation of America and is underwritten by !e Clear Channel Foundation, 7 Wiley Rein, LLP, and Dick Bodor". 1. Michael Weiss, Leo McCourtney, and Jim Beloyianis 2. PJ Bednarski, Bill McGorry, and Frank Comerford L## # # 3. David Barrett, David Dinkins, Lisa and Dr. Mehmet Oz, Bill O’Shaughnessy # ON THE AIR. 4. Matt Applegate, Gary Gannaway, Diane Wilkins, and Mike Malone 5. Jason Greenblatt, Louis Hillelson, Sandy Friedman, and Erica gottlieb 6. Diana Rugolo, Joe Bodan, Colleen Liebre, Susan Monaghan, Ernest Liebre, and John Monaghan 7. Mike Kinkaid, John Moczulski, Dennis Swason, Don Corsini, and Larry Wert
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the statesmen
Jim Delmonico: A Leader For Lean Times.
Jim Delmonico 1920 - 2012
Jim Delmonico was a dear man and a respected the organization, which was founded by H.V. Kaltenborn, grew to be known as member of our profession all the days of his the Broadcasters Foundation of America. life. His remarkable leadership qualities were Today, as a respected national charity, the recognized early on when he ran some of the Foundation provides a safety net for down and out broadcasters who have fallen on most important stations in our Empire State... hard times.
...the legendary heritage station WGY ... and WRGB-TV But it all started with the affable, gregarious upstater who ... and when the elders of a tired, fading institution known steadied the ship during lean times. As a contemporary as The Broadcast Pioneers made him National Chairman. of C. Glover Delaney, E.R. “Curly” Vadebonceur, Rick Buckley, Tony Malara, Martin Stone, Marty Beck, Les Legend has it that when Jim Delmonico took over, the Arries, Harry Thayer, Paul Sidney, Bob Peebles, John Van Pioneers organization was $19,000 in the red. He built it Buren Sullivan, Wally Schwartz, Phil Spencer and Sy up by improving the quality of the board and by broadening Goldman, he came out of the time when giants walked and extending its outreach. the land in our profession. And he outlived all of them. Jim was 91 when he left us. With an agreeable personality and a strong sense of mission, Delmonico got things on a firm, solid footing before turning Jim Delmonico became a broadcast legend in New York the reins over to the midwestern broadcasting legend Ward State over the years and was a member of our Hall of L. Quaal who succeeded him as chairman. Fame. But he did some of the best work of his life with his dynamic charitable efforts in our high councils in New Ward Quaal brought on board former ABC Radio Network York City. chief, and Rush Limbaugh discoverer, Ed McLaughlin ... and current Foundation chairman Phil Lombardo ... when He really was a pioneer.
William O’Shaughnessy Chairman, Guardian Fund Broadcasters Foundation of America
PLEASE DRINK RESPONSIBLY. 18 SPRING 2012 ON THE AIR JOHNNIE WALKER® BLACK LABEL® Blended Scotch Whisky, 40% Alc./Vol. (80 Proof), ©2004 Diageo North America, Inc., Stamford, CT PRESORTED STD. U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT #14 HUNTINGTON, NY Broadcasters Foundation of America 125 West 55th Street 21st OnFloor The Air NewBroadcasters York , NY 10019 Foundation of America 125 West 55th Street 21st Floor New York , NY 10019
Improving the quality of life of the men and women in the radio and television broadcast industry
212.373.8250 [email protected] www.broadcastersfoundation.org ! e Broadcasters Foundation of America is a 501(c)3 Public Charity