BROADCASTERS FOUNDATION OF AMERICA On The Air Funding provided by the Taishoff Family Foundation Fall/Winter 2012 Taishoff Family Foundation Sol Taishoff Lawrence B. Taishoff 1905-1982 1933-2006 T he Taishoff Family Foundation allied on many of the great issues of organization which, as you know, has was established by the late Lawrence the day with the work and example now become the national charitable B. Taishoff and his son Rob in honor of of one of our own founding chair- endeavor known as the Broadcast- their legendary father and grandfather man Ward L. Quaal. In 2009, the ers Foundation of America which Sol Taishoff, the founder and editor-in- Taishoff family was honored with a you and so many of our colleagues chief of Broadcasting magazine. Ward L. Quaal Pioneer Award. support. As journalists and publishers, Sol and In addition to their commitment to Today, the Taishoff Family Founda- Larry Taishoff played a seminal role in journalistic causes and a free press, tion is administered by the third the development of the radio and televi- the Taishoff Family Foundation is generation of family members who sion industry in America. As champions also active in improving the lives support, among their many worth- of a free and unfettered broadcasting of people with intellectual disabili- while endeavors, the National Press profession, Broadcasting magazine was ties. The Foundation has developed Foundation which annually presents created as the instrument and mani- resources to help educate society the Sol Taishoff Award for Excellence festation of their devotion to resemble about the special skills and talents of in Electronic Journalism. a “sentinel on the Potomac” to warn people with Down syndrome, autism against government intrusion into the and traumatic brain injury, to name Retired Captain Robert Taishoff creative processes and activities of radio a few. Toward this goal, the Taishoff USN, is the chairman of the Taishoff and television broadcasters. Family Foundation has established Family Foundation. the Lawrence B. Taishoff Center The Taishoffs devoted their entire lives for Inclusive Higher Education at The Broadcasters Foundation of to extending the values and protections Syracuse University. America extends its deep gratitude of the First Amendment to “The Fifth to the Taishoff family for carrying on Estate” which was the designation be- The Taishoffs also provided criti- the legacy of their illustrious fore- stowed upon the broadcasting fraternity cal initial funding for the Library of bears by underwriting On The Air by Sol Taishoff so many years ago. American Broadcasting, now located magazine, which is distributed widely at the University of Maryland. Sol throughout the broadcast industry. The vision and foresight of both Taishoff himself was one of the Taishoffs often caused them to be founders of the Broadcast Pioneers 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 17 issue 3 fall/winter 2012 4 Chairman’s and President’s Message 6 The 2012 Celebrity Golf Tournament 17 Guardian Fund - Bud Walters 19 Seen and 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/21st Floor New York, NY 10019 www.broadcastersfoundation.org 212-373-8250 Jim Thompson, Publisher Renee Cassis, Editor Katz Media Group Creative Services, Design 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 FALL/WINTER 2012 3 BROADCASTERS FOUNDATION OF AMERICA Philip J. Lombardo Chairman Richard A. Foreman Vice Chairman chairman’s message James B. Thompson President The goal of the Board of the Broadcasters Foundation of Amer- Carl Butrum Vice President ica is to ensure that no call for help from a broadcaster will ever go unanswered. Last year, the Foundation distributed more than BOARD OF DIRECTORS: Edward F. McLaughlin $675,000 in assistance to broadcasters in need – a 35 percent in- Chairman Emeritus crease over the previous year, and this year the requests are com- Joseph C. Amaturo The Amaturo Family Foundation, Inc. ing in at a faster pace. David J. Barrett President/CEO, Hearst Television Inc. George G. Beasley We are launching a Giving Campaign across our industry to Chairman/CEO, Beasley Broadcast Group, Inc. alert broadcasters in markets all over the country that we are here Philip R. Beuth Capital Cities, ret. to provide help when needed. We are making it effortless for Joseph M. Bilotta broadcasters to help their colleagues with easy-to-use remittance envelopes. You will find President/CEO, Buckley Broadcasting Corp. Richard J. Bodorff one in this edition of On the Air, and I urge you to please use it to make your donation. Partner, Wiley Rein LLP Be an ambassador for our cause and to let your colleagues know that we exist and the Del R. Bryant President/CEO, BMI good work that we do. The Broadcasters Foundation is an organization that you may Rebecca S. Campbell never need, but with your help, we will always be there for you or someone you may know. President/ABC Owned Television Stations Group Gary R. Chapman LIN TV Corp., ret. Erica Farber President/CEO, Radio Advertising Bureau Richard Ferguson Cox Radio, ret. Philip J. Lombardo Chairman Joseph M. Field Chairman, Entercom Skip Finley Managing Partner, Noepe Communications LLC Michael J. Fiorile Vice-Chairman/CEO, Dispatch Broadcast Group Alan W. Frank president’s message President, Post-Newsweek Stations, Inc. Mark Gray More than ever before, broadcasters who are in need of help are reaching out for assis- President, Katz Radio Group Ralph Guild tance. That is why fundraisers like the Celebrity Golf Tourna- President, Guild Media LLC ment are not only necessary, but vital for continuing our mission Wade Hargrove, Esq. Partner Brooks Pierce to serve those in unfortunate circumstances. McLendon Humphrey & Leonard LLP Louis Hillelson Vice-President/Group Publisher New Bay Media This year saw a new location for the annual Celebrity Golf Paul Karpowicz President/CEO, Meredith Broadcasting Group Tournament, which took place at the renowned Baltusrol Golf N. Scott Knight Club in Springfield, New Jersey. More than 150 celebrities and President/CEO, KQS broadcasters turned out to help us raise more than $200,000. Jerry Lee President, WBEB-FM The Celebrity Golf Tournament is one of the Foundation’s big- Jerry Levy President, JL Media Inc. gest annual fundraising events. Deborah Norville Inside Edition Our heartfelt thanks to this year’s co-chairs, Spencer Brown, President and Chief Ex- William O’Shaughnessy Chairman, WVOX/WVIP-Whitney Media ecutive Officer, Dial-Global, and Mark Lund, Executive Vice President, Sales, NBC I. Martin Pompadur President/IMP Media Management, LLC Owned Television Stations, who led us to one of our most successful golf fundraisers. Joseph Reilly We are also grateful to our title sponsors, the Tri-State Mercedes-Benz Dealer Group NYS Broadcasters Association, ret. and Evercore Wealth Management. Please read more about the Celebrity Golf Tour- Sandy Schwartz President, Manheim nament in the special section beginning on page 6. Gordon H. Smith President/CEO, National Association of Broadcasters Jeffrey H. Smulyan We already are working on our next major fundraising event -- the 2013 Golden Mike Chairman/CEO, Emmis Communications Award honoring David Barrett, President and Chief Executive Officer, Hearst Televi- George Stephanopoulos Good Morning America sion Inc. The Golden Mike Award dinner and presentation will take place at the Plaza Dennis Swanson President, Fox Television Stations Group Hotel in New York City on February 25. I hope to see you there. Nicholas J. Verbitsky Chairman, United Stations Radio Networks Diana Wilkin President, Affiliate Relations, CBS Networks Ed Wilson Vice-Chair/CEO, Attensity Media Jim Thompson OFFICERS: President Colleen Liebre, Asst. Treasurer/CFO, Citadel Communications Co, L.P. Jeff Haley, President/CEO, Marketron Steve Lanzano, President, Television Advertising Bureau Over $200,000 Raised to Help Broadcasters in Need he 2012 Celebrity Golf Tournament, held at the Baltusrol Golf Club in New Jersey, attracted more than 150 executives and celebrities. The list of celebrities include: Amani Toomer, NY Giants, Dial Global-NBC Sports Radio Network; Sean McDonough, ESPN, ABCT Sports; Dana Tyler, Maurice Dubois, Don Dahler, and Mary Calvi, WCBS-2 TV; Rachel Grant, James Bond Girl; Michael Woodson, NY Knicks Coach; John Schriffen, ABC News Network; Bill Raftery, CBS Sports; Jeremy Schaap, ESPN; Michael Gargiulo, WNBC-TV’s Today in New York; CJ Papa, SportsNet and Fios 1; Ann Liguori, WFAN Sports and author of A Passion for Golf; Rick Cerone, NY Yankees; Nick Buoniconti, NFL Hall of Famer; Deb Placey, NY Islanders Host; Duke Castiglione, FOX- 5 Sports; Anita Marks, WFAN Sports, Giants Pre & Post Game Host; Jim Spanarkel, All-American Duke, NBA, CBS Sports, ESPN, Fox Sports; Chad Cascadden, NY Jets; and Bobby Carpenter, NJ Devils. This year’s Co-Chairs, Spencer Brown, President and Chief Executive Officer, Dial-Global, and Mark Lund, Executive Vice President, Sales, NBC Owned Television Stations, made it a memorable and successful day for everyone. Signature sponsors of the 2012 event were Evercore Wealth Management and the Tri-State Mercedes-Benz Dealer Group, who Over $200,000 Raised to also provided players with the chance to win a Mercedes-Benz convertible.