BROADCASTERS FOUNDATION OF AMERICA OnFunding provided The by the Taishoff Family Air Foundation Summer 2017 2017 LEADERSHIP AWARDS BREAKFAST Sol Taishoff Lawrence B. Taishoff 1905-1982 1933-2006 Taishoff Family Foundation In addition to their commitment to journalistic causes and The Taishoff Family Foundation a free press, the Taishoff Family Foundation is also active in was established by the late Lawrence improving the lives of people with intellectual disabilities. The Foundation has developed resources to help educate so- B. Taishoff and his son Rob in ciety about the special skills and talents of people with Down honor of their legendary father syndrome, autism and traumatic brain injury, to name a few. Toward this goal, the Taishoff Family Foundation has and grandfather Sol Taishoff, the established the Lawrence B. Taishoff Center for Inclusive founder and editor-in-chief of Higher Education at Syracuse University. Broadcasting magazine. The Taishoffs also provided critical initial funding for the Library of American Broadcasting, now located at the As journalists and publishers, Sol and Larry Taishoff played University of Maryland. Sol Taishoff 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 you and so many of our colleagues support. resemble a “sentinel on the Potomac” to warn against gov- ernment intrusion into the creative processes and activities Today, the Taishoff Family Foundation is administered of radio and television broadcasters. by the third generation of family members who support, among their many worthwhile endeavors, the National Press The Taishoffs devoted their entire lives to extending the Foundation which annually presents the Sol Taishoff Award values and protections of the First Amendment to “The for Excellence in Electronic Journalism. Fifth Estate” which was the designation bestowed upon the broadcasting fraternity by Sol Taishoff so many years ago. Retired Captain Robert Taishoff USN, is the chairman of the Taishoff Family Foundation. The vision and foresight of both Taishoffs often caused them to be allied on many of the great issues of the day with the The Broadcasters Foundation of America extends its deep grat- work and example of one of our own founding chairman itude to the Taishoff family for carrying on the legacy of their Ward L. Quaal. In 2009, the Taishoff family was honored illustrious forebears by underwriting On The Air magazine, with a Ward L. Quaal Pioneer Award. which is distributed widely throughout the broadcast industry. 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 Contents Volume 22, Issue 2, Summer 2017 4 Chairman’s & President’s Message 6 The Foundation Awards Breakfast 14 Philip J. Lombardo Golf Tournament 18 NASBA News 20 Seen & Heard On The Air is a free news and feature publication, offered to the Broadcasters Foundation of America members and friends, and is published three times a year by the: Broadcasters Foundation of America 125 West 55th Street/4th Floor New York, NY 10019 www.broadcastersfoundation.org 212-373-8250 Jim Thompson, Publisher Emily Barratt, Editor Jamie Russo, Design, Creative Brainwork, LLC For feature story contributions or to request another copy of this publication, please call the Broadcasters Foundation of America at 212-373-8250, or you may email any questions and/or comments [email protected]. ON THE AIR SUMMER 2017 3 BROADCASTERS FOUNDATION OF AMERICA Dan Mason, Chairman Scott Herman, Vice Chairman Jordan Wertlieb, Vice Chairman Chairman’s Message James B. Thompson, President Peter M. Doyle, Vice President We’re proud to welcome three new board members to our team. Kim Guthrie, President of Cox Media Group, and BOARD OF DIRECTORS: DuJuan McCoy, Owner/President/CEO of Bayou City Caroline Beasley, President & CEO, Broadcasting, have joined our Board of Directors, and Julie Beasley Broadcast Group Talbott, President of Premiere Networks, has joined our ranks Philip R. Beuth, Capital Cities, ret. as a Vice President and Officer. I look forward to working Richard J. Bodorff, Partner, Wiley Rein LLP with these esteemed broadcasters and our entire Board Rebecca S. Campbell , President, of Directors on our upcoming fundraising and outreach ABC Owned TV Stations Brian Cobb, President, CobbCorp. campaigns. Raymond H. Cole, President/COO, Citadel Comm., Co., LP We are now in the middle of relaunching our outreach Peter Dunn, President, CBS Television Stations campaign. I am certain there are broadcasters in every state Erica Farber, President/CEO, that need our support, but they don’t know we are here or are too ashamed of their Radio Advertising Bureau circumstances to ask for help. A longtime broadcaster who recently applied for a grant Joseph M. Field, Chairman, Entercom wrote: “I hesitated for five months to submit this application due to my feeling of Michael J. Fiorile, Vice President/CEO, unworthiness. My frugal existence is a complete 180 degree turn in my life – no car, Dispatch Broadcast Group no cable, limited mobility. Financial assistance at this time would improve the quality Mark Gray , CEO, Katz Media Group of my health… and allow me to take my grandkids to a movie or to the water park.” Kim Guthrie, President, Cox Media Group Wade Hargrove, Esq., Partner, Brooks Pierce McLendon Humphrey Leonard LLP Please help spread the word about our mission. Let's make sure that every broadcaster Louis Hillelson, Vice President/Group Publisher, in need knows we’re here to help. New Bay Media Paul Karpowicz, President/CEO, Thanks in advance for your continued support, Meredith Broadcasting Group N. Scott Knight, President/CEO, Knight Media Group Brian Lawlor, Senior VP Television, Dan Mason EW Scripps TV Station Group Chairman David Lougee, President, TEGNA Media DuJuan McCoy, Owner/President/CEO, Bayou City Broadcasting Elizabeth Neuhoff, President/CEO, Neuhoff Communications President’s Message Deborah Norville , Inside Edition This year’s Las Vegas events were a huge success. The Philip Michael O’Neill, President/CEO, BMI William O’Shaughnessy, Chairman, J. Lombardo Charity Golf Tournament found a new home WVOX/WVIP-Whitney Media at the Bali Hai Golf Club and our Leadership Breakfast I. Martin Pompadur, Consultant was powerful and inspiring. I’d like to again congratulate Joseph Reilly, President, Empire Broadcasting Corp. all eight of this year’s award honorees. Each honoree shows Gordon H. Smith, President/CEO, NAB a passion for radio and television broadcasting and is an Jeffrey H. Smulyan, Chairman/CEO, example of the type of leadership this industry deserves. Emmis Communications We thank each of you for your support. Perry Sook, President & CEO, Nexstar Broadcasting And support for our broadcasting colleagues in need is the Valari Staab , President, key initiative of the Foundation. We continue to look for NBCUniversal Owned TV Stations George Stephanopoulos, Good Morning America innovative ways to expand our outreach to ensure that all Nicholas J. Verbitsky, Chairman, broadcasters know about our mission. Listen for our new Radio PSA campaign, United Stations Radio Networks which will start airing this summer on stations across the country. In the past few Jeffrey Warshaw, CEO, Connoisseur Media, LLC months, we’ve received more requests for help than ever before and we’re pushing Jordan Wertlieb, President, Hearst Television to increase our giving even more in the months to come. But we need your help. Diana Wilkin, Managing Partner, Twelve 24 Media To learn more about our organization, visit our website, broadcastersfoundation. org. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter at @BroadcastersFDN. Share our Message. OFFICERS: Join our Mission. Jeff Haley, President/CEO, Marketron Steve Lanzano, President/CEO, Thank you, Television Advertising Bureau Leo MacCourtney, President & CEO, Katz Television Group Julie Talbott, President, Premiere Networks Jim Thompson President It’s one thing to know what she’s watching today. But what about tomorrow? When you have the right data and the right science, you won’t only know what’s next—you’ll get there first. Learn more about The Science Behind What’s Next™ at nielsen.com. Copyright © 2017 The Nielsen Company (US), LLC. All Rights Reserved. NIE_BrandCampaign_Watch_NAB_8x105_D02.indd 1 4/7/17 11:00 AM The Ward L. Quaal Leadership Awards The Lowry Mays Excellence in Broadcasting Award The Chairman’s Award More than 250 television and radio broadcasters assembled for the annual Broadcasters Foundation of America Leadership Breakfast to honor eight of the most prominent figures in broadcasting. Six Ward L. Quaal Leadership Awards, the Lowry Mays Excellence in Broadcasting Award and the Chairman’s Award were presented at the Breakfast, held during the NAB Show in Las Vegas in April. The