Spring 2007 - Broadcasters Foundation of America

Transcription

Spring 2007 - Broadcasters Foundation of America
Mission Statement
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.
On The Air
Broadcasters Foundation of America
Spring 2007
Ken Lowe and his wife Mary
Table Of Contents
2007 Golden Mike........ 3-40
2007 Pioneer Awards....47-53
Saving Lives........ 41, 46, 56
President’s Message........57
Board of Directors...........59
The 2006 Celebrity Golf Tournament at
The Stanwich Club
Greenwich, Connecticut.
On The Air
Volume 11 • Issue 1 • Spring 2007
© On the Air is a free news
and feature publication, offered
to Broadcasters Foundation of
America members and friends
and published three times a
year by the :
Broadcasters Foundation
of America,
Seven Lincoln Avenue
Second Floor
Greenwich, CT 06830
www.broadcastersfoundation.org
Gordon H. Hastings, Publisher
Jamie Russo, Creative Director
For feature story contributions or
to request another copy of this
publication, please call the
Broadcasters Foundation of
America at 203-862-8577, or you
may email any questions and/or
comments to Gordon H. Hastings
at [email protected]
2007
Golden
Mike
Award
3 On The Air Spring 2007
A Very-Very Special
Golden Mike Salute
To Ken Lowe
And
The E.W. Scripps
Company
4 On The Air Spring 2007
The E.W. Scripps family,100 strong, came from
Cincinnati, Tennessee and New York to celebrate with
hundreds of other well-wishers saluting their leader Ken
Lowe and the highly acclaimed company for which they
work.
Broadcasters Foundation of America Chairman Phil
Lombardo in presenting the 2007 Golden Mike
honor said, “Tonight the Broadcasters Foundation of
America basks in the glow of a rare opportunity in
which we honor an individual and company that have
been involved in every major facet of the world of
communications.
Throughout its long history, The E.W. Scripps
Company has been an innovative forerunner in
newspaper, radio, television, cable and the Internet.
Scripps, like its current President & Chief Executive
Officer Ken Lowe, has always embraced and
championed change.
This evening it is therefore our distinct pleasure to
honor a man and his company that symbolize the
very essence of the emergence of broadcasting and
communications into the very fabric of American life.”
Ken was surrounded by members of his family and
hundreds of friends in the Grand-Ballroom of The
Waldorf Astoria on Monday evening, February 26. Even
a last effort by old man winter could not diminish the
enthusiasm or turnout to salute Ken and his company.
American music icon Kenny Rogers backed by a tenpiece orchestra provided the evening’s entertainment,
which included, of course, a live performance of The
Gambler coupled with a special video presentation with
clips from Rogers’ legendary Gambler films.
The emcee for the evening was Gordon Elliott, now
a producer with the Food Network and formerly from
A Current Affair, Hard Copy, Good Day New York, and
CBS This Morning.
Life-long friend Rick Dees, Scripps Network Executives
Judy Girard, Burton Jablin, Susan Packard and the
creator of E! Entertainment Network Jarl Mohn (better
known to broadcasters as Lee Masters of MTV fame.)
all offered personal salutes from the podium.
Ken Lowe’s acceptance of the 2007 Golden Mike was
described as insightful and moving.
5 On The Air Spring 2007
“Thank you all for this amazing evening. I truly
appreciate your taking time out of your very busy lives
to share this moment with us. I would like to thank our
master of ceremonies, who also happens to be the best
thing to come out of Australia, except for maybe Nicole
Kidman. Ladies and gentleman, lets give Gordon
Elliott a round of applause.
Thanks so much, Gordon. You are a good friend. I
would also like to thank Kenny Rogers. Wasn’t he
incredible?
I was thinking that listening to Kenny is like listening
to the soundtracks of our lives. Wouldn’t you agree?
What a musical legacy he is creating. Rick Dees
and I were reminiscing about our early days in radio
when we played hits by Kenny Rogers and The
First Edition.
You are a true superstar, Kenny, and a great human
being. Thanks for being here tonight.
To all of the presenters…well, what can I say? You all
mean so much to me.
Special thanks to our folks at Scripps Networks who put
the video together. You know, everyone should have
one of these, where all your mistakes have been edited
out. Blew my big trumpet solo in high school. You
would never know. That time I was fired back in 1979.
Gone. Burned down a station in Portland, Oregon. Not
even a mention. It is like having a personal TiVo for
life.
I’d also like to add a big thanks to Phil Lombardo,
Gordon Hastings and the board of the Broadcasters
Foundation of America for presenting the Golden
Mike Award this year to The E. W. Scripps Company
and to me personally.
Much of the credit for the company’s success goes to the
thousands of outstanding professionals we employ at our
networks, TV stations, newspapers and other businesses.
We also have a top-notch management team, many of
whom are with us here tonight. Would everybody from
Scripps stand for just a minute to be recognized?
I would also like to recognize three members of our
board of directors, and their wives, who are here. Ron
Tysoe and his wife, Arleigh; Jeff Sagansky, and his
Ken with his Dad Wayne
and his mother Barbara
6 On The Air Spring 2007
wife, Christy; and Jarl Mohn and his wife, Pamela. It is
good to see you all again. Thanks for coming.
Being chosen to receive this year’s Golden Mike Award
has been a profoundly humbling experience for me, for
my family and for the men and women at Scripps.
But the real winners – the ones who will benefit most
from your tremendous
Welcome to the
generosity – are those
2007 Golden Mike,
who’ve devoted their
Chairman
Phil Lombardo
lives to our industry,
yet today are coping
with some type of
personal hardship or
another.
Your presence here
tonight, and your gift
to the Broadcasters
Foundation of
America, will improve
the lives of many, and
I thank you for that
from the bottom of my
heart.
As I looked around
the room tonight, it
dawned on me just
how fortunate I have
been to know all of
you. So many of you
have supported me and
invested your time and
confidence in me. I
have to confess, I have
often wondered, why.
However, as I have
grown older (and
hopefully a little
wiser) I have come to
understand that it was
not about me at all. It was about you.
The gift that so many of you in this room gave me – and
continue to give – is hope. You make dreams come true.
I have seen so many of you put aside personal ambitions
and goals to help others succeed. You are great teachers.
You are great mentors. In addition, you are wonderful
givers.
7 On The Air Spring 2007
So my hope is that you take as much pride in this honor
tonight as I do and that you’re celebrating right along
with me and all of us at Scripps, because we wouldn’t be
having this great evening if it weren’t for all the folks
during my career who gave me a chance; who gave me
their time, their advice, their care and their love.
The poet Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote, “Our chief
want is someone who will imagine us to be what we
know we could be.”
I have been blessed
to have so many who
have given me that
inspiration. Like Pat
Patterson who put
Rick and me on the
air in Raleigh, N.C.
Or Dick Jansen, who
hired me at Scripps
and became my true
mentor. Dick taught
me the business side of
broadcasting and gave
me an opportunity to
get into television.
Or Dale Pond,
the senior VP and
marketing guru
at Lowe’s Home
Improvement
Warehouse who,
after hearing my
presentation about
a new cable channel
about “grass growing
and paint drying”
- a month before it
went on the air committed to purchase
twenty percent of all
the advertising. It
immediately gave
HGTV credibility in the advertising community and set
us on our way.
Or Doctor Steve Martin, who, as a good friend and
spiritual advisor, constantly reminds me that our
character is only as strong as the quality of the people
we surround ourselves with. Or my wife of 25 years
– Mary – who has had to contend with the wild and
woolly life of a broadcaster, moving from town-to-
All Golden Mike back to back! 2006 honoree Jeff Smulyan with his
wife Heather with 2007 Honoree Ken Lowe and his wife Mary
town and job-to-job. Thank you, Mary, for your belief
in me and for your love. Finally, my parents, Barbara
and Wayne Lowe, who just celebrated sixty years of
marriage last month. Isn’t that fantastic?
They raised my brother and me with unquestioned,
unconditional love and instilled in us a strong sense of
self-confidence that we were able to grow beyond the
tobacco fields of North Carolina, and now – for me – to
this honor tonight and the bright lights of New York
City.
I can never thank them enough. I know they are proud
of me tonight; but Mom, Dad – I want you to know
how proud I am of you. Thank you. Mom you were
great in the video.
Lastly, if you will allow me, I would like to dedicate this
evening to my late, younger brother, Bruce, who passed
away in 2004.
He would have loved tonight – the atmosphere, the
festive spirit, the camaraderie and the fact that it was all
about helping the less fortunate. He devoted his life to
helping others, so Moose, this is for you.
Thank you again for this incredible honor and for being
here tonight to support the Broadcasters Foundation of
America.”
Susan Packard: Thank you for the blessing of your
friendship.
“Ken and I go back to the very beginnings of HGTV.
I was his first hire to get the business started. He hired
me primarily to deal with those cranky cable operators
to get the network distributed. You may recall we had a
tool, retransmission consent, to help us get there.
I took Ken to Denver to call on one such cable
operator. We flew out there and Ken was in his usual
good spirit, charged up to close the sale with this big
guy. Well his demeanor began to change when we were
kept waiting two hours by the client, who, we were
told, was at the dentist. When we were finally called
in Ken got revved up again as all good sales people do.
The client walked in, stayed standing, and announced
that we had nothing to talk about. They would take our
retransmission consent, but would not trade it to get us
launched.
8 On The Air Spring 2007
At that point, I stood up, and said the meeting was
over. Ken followed me out to the rental car with a
pained look on his face.
‘We flew all the way to Denver for that? What was
that?’
I told him it was only the first round and that I thought
it actually went pretty well. After that, he left me to
handle the theatrics of the cable deals.
However, he was always there for the team and me. His
support for us was, in a word, unwavering.
An example. In the early days when we were working to
be licensed in Canada, we had to make our case in front
of the CRTC in Ottawa. I had done work in Canada
before so I took this on. It was a blizzard that day in
January day when I was to present to the commission,
and Ken was to fly up there the night before, to support
me. When he never showed that evening, I figured
something had detained him in Knoxville. The next
morning, there he was. He looked raggedly tired so I
asked him what had happened.
He explained that the flight was diverted to the
northeast, but they eventually got on a bus and rode
to Canada from there. Turns out it was an eight hour
bus ride, but to Ken, who believes it is a sacred thing to
support his team, it was no big deal.
For those who are lucky enough to experience it, there
are great highs in building a business, but so too, can
there be terrible personal sadness, as life is known to do
to us.
When Ken’s only brother Bruce suddenly passed away,
I went to S. Carolina, along with our friend Nancy
Tretter, and tried to be there for Ken and his lovely
parents, who are here tonight.
We all paid tribute to Bruce, who was at the launch
of HGTV, and who stood, so tall and eloquent, as he
toasted his big brother Ken for seeing his idea through.
He was so very proud. Bruce was magnificent that
night, and I hold that memory as one of the great ones
with HGTV.
The video mentioned our core values. There was one
that was always implicit as we built the division, and
that one was gratitude. Ken, every time you addressed a
group at work, you always ended with heartfelt thanks,
Ken Lowe’s Nephew Brandon Lowe, Wayne Lowe,
Nancy Tretter, Pat Jones, Barbara Lowe and Ken
9 On The Air Spring 2007
whether it was the sales groups, the programming folks,
it did not matter. You always ended expressing your
gratitude to them.
After 6 years of at The Food Network, you start asking
yourself how hard it would be to stuff a round star into a
square oven.
I end with expressing mine to you, for all those
marvelous work moments, yes, but even more for the
blessing of your friendship.
After another 16-hour dinner with Ken he said, ‘Why
don’t you go run Shop At Home Network?’
Thank you, Ken from all of us, and Congratulations.
Judy Girard: Ken, you are my last and best boss.
“When ken asked me to speak on his behalf tonight I
was honored and I thought how hard can it be? Ken
and I only go back 9 years. When Ken Lowe asked
to meet with me, I was leading the good life in Los
Angeles, had met the man of my dreams and was in a
12-step program
of recovery
from Disney
and the phone
companies.
I did not know
Ken, but I
had heard he
was a man of
vision, a man
of intelligence,
a man of
compassion, and
had an uncanny
ability to keep a
suit and tie crisp
after 8 hours in
the office and 16
hours at dinner.
That alone should qualify him for this award!
At dinner Ken said, “Come to Scripps.”
Ken always believed that every employee makes a
company successful. Many people talk it, Ken lives it.
Ken said, ‘how about running The Food Network?’
The Food Network had no ratings, was boring, was
loosing a ton of money and I never ever in my life had
I cooked a meal! However, how hard could it be? Ken
always convinces you that you can do anything. Ken,
of course, recognized food as something more profound
than just cooking. It is the anchor of our gatherings,
the pillar of our lives, and the source of sustenance! I
thought it was pretty dam funny, actually.
I said to myself how hard could this be. No ratings,
no distribution, is boring, and looses a ton of money.
However, at least I shop, so how hard can it be?
Failure is a word that is not in Ken’s vocabulary. A
business failure just means you change course, there is
never a fall guy around Ken.
Out of Shop At Home’s demise was born an on line
commerce strategy that will be the next pillar of major
revenue as Ken continues to put an indelible stamp on
the E.W. Scripps
Phil Lombardo,
Company.
Gordon Elliott, Ken Lowe
and Gordon Hastings
survival. Food, shelter and shopping!’
Once again, the
good life called.
Another dinner
with Ken and he
asked if I would
run HGTV. I
said, why would
I do that? It has
ratings, a solid
program base
and makes a ton
of money! He
said, ‘Right, how
hard could it be.
You will have
mastered the
three essentials
to human
It has been a thrill to be with Ken as these six networks
and websites break the billion-dollar revenue mark.
Most thrilling to me has been what the last 9 years has
meant to me personally.
30 years ago, I was running a CBS station in
Binghamton, New York, I tried to manage like a man,
be one of the guys, and act like one of the guys, with
some success.
When I came to Scripps, I found that Ken Lowe had
built a place where success is defined as the ability to be
you. Female, Gay, African American, whatever. Stay
true to your soul and your ability to succeed in business
will follow.
10 On The Air Spring 2007
Ken, you are my last and best boss. You have given me
the gift of being me.
That is what makes it not hard at all!
Burton Jablin: You have created a place where people
never wamt to leave.
“Like Susan, I was one of the people who were lucky
enough to be hired by Ken early on to help create
HGTV. My job was to work with my boss, Ed Spray,
to supervise all of the programming. Today, of course,
HGTV is extremely popular, with shows like House
Hunters, Designed to Sell, Decorating Cents. The list goes
on and on.
Judy Girard and Gordon Elliott
So it is easy to
forget some of the
shows let’s call
them experiments
-- that we tried
in that first year.
Ken, I know you
remember -- or
maybe you would
like to forget - shows like that
gardening program
from Australia.
It included a
segment on how to
pollinate a six-foottall philodendron
that was so graphic
we could not even
air it without
jeopardizing our G
rating.
There also was the series about a guy who was so
clueless he couldn’t even change a light bulb by himself.
We called it Klutz Around the House.
Then, there was the show whose title said it all: Oriental
Rugs. That was it Oriental rugs. Rug after rug after rug,
for 197 episodes. Most of the shows, of course, have
been successful. That is because of Ken’s vision for
HGTV.
In those early days, we often said that because of Ken’s
vision, he was able to see four or five steps ahead of
everyone else.
11 On The Air Spring 2007
Of course, that meant that the rest of us had to figure
out steps one, two, and three, but it was always worth
the effort.
HGTV’s Dream Home Giveaway, the early development
of a website, ownership of our content -- just some of
the results of Ken’s foresight.
He also came up with the idea for a call center, so
people could contact HGTV with questions and
comments. No other television network had anything
like it, and in a short time, we were receiving thousands
of letters and phone calls a month -- almost all of them
positive.
However, I
remember one
major exception.
It happened when
we decided to
change around the
program schedule
for a show about
quilting. Within a
week, Ken received
a petition signed
by 12,000 angry
quilters. They
were threatening
to picket HGTV’s
headquarters.
We learned an
important lesson
-- do not get on
the wrong side of
people carrying
long needles!
Earlier this
evening, Judy Girard recalled her first day on the job at
Scripps Networks, when Ken announced that milliondollar bonus for employees.
I want to conclude with a brief memory of my first day
at HGTV, which isn’t quite so dramatic, but I think it
says a lot about Ken and the environment he created.
It was April 15, 1994. I had just moved to Knoxville
from Los Angeles, was living in a motel, and didn’t
know anyone. Several others were in the same
situation. So that night, Ken invited the entire staff of
HGTV at the time -- all eight of us -- to join him for
dinner, the first of many we would share.
The meal wasn’t memorable, and in fact, the restaurant,
Merlot, no longer exists. What is notable is that
everyone at dinner that first night is still with us at
Scripps Networks -- 13 years later.
That is because Ken, through his vision, his leadership,
his integrity, and his support, created a place that
people simply do not ever want to leave.
For that, and so much more, thank you, Ken, and
congratulations on tonight’s honor and all of your welldeserved success.
Jarl Mohn (Lee Masters): You're beautiful don't change
we love you.
Guest presenter Susan Packard of
Scripps Networks with Mary Lowe
Revenge is a
dish best served
cold. And so my
story of revenge
begins back in
the early '90s
as Ken Lowe
decides to
launch Home
& Garden
Television. At
the time, I'm
CEO of E! in
Los Angeles.
We had a
factory there,
producing our
own television.
We had our
own production
facilities. I got
a phone call
from Ken Lowe
and Frank Gardner and they said, 'We'd like to come
out and see how you do things, because we know you're
able to produce a lot of television very inexpensively,
and own it.' I said, 'Terrific, come on out.'
So they came out for a couple of days, studied it, and
went back to Knoxville to try to replicate or take what
we were doing and apply it to what they were doing
there. Which was fine, we were really happy to do
that. And then all of a sudden, he starts poaching my
employees. First Mark Hale goes, who's sitting at the
table with me tonight. He's now the chief technology
officer at the Scripps Networks. He hired Bob
Baskerville, who's now the president of the Scripps
Digital Networks, and a whole other raft of people.
I'm not a happy camper. First thing I say is no more
tours of the facilities to anybody, okay? I said, Some day
I'm going to have a chance to get back at him. So I lie
in wait for ten years. I leave E, I go to Liberty Digital,
I leave Liberty, and the phone rings and it's Ken. And
Ken said, 'How'd you like to come and be on the E. W.
Scripps board?' I said, Cool, sounds great.
This is where the revenge part of the story kicks in. I'm
named to the compensation committee. Now, by this
time I'm not
pissed anymore.
By this time,
Ken's done a
great job. The
business is
smoking. I can't
possibly dig him.
So I do what
every other
compensation
committee in
the United
States does.
Overpay him!
You know,
before the
Broadcasters
Foundation
decided to
give Ken this
award, they
wanted to do their due diligence to make sure that they
didn't get embarrassed, because it's a very prestigious
award. So they had a deep investigation, they talked
to the Department of Justice and they found out that
he was clean on options backdating. They went to the
Department of Justice, there was no antitrust issues.
They went to the FTC, found no false advertising, no
misleading claims.
However, it was a little disconcerting, they found
out after they published the invitations that there is
an ongoing investigation by the FCC, going back to
the '70s, Ken's radio days. They're doing a forensic
12 On The Air Spring 2007
investigation of some of the transmitter readings that
he took. The IRS wants to know why he didn't declare
those t-shirts as income.
A team builder who nurtures his people and inspires
all to do their best. Ron Tyso, another fellow board
member is here tonight. He said, 'A genuine and
caring person, the personification of class. Creative yet
humble, Ken leads with compassion and integrity.' And
to all those I would add, Cool suits, great hair.
I've dealt with Ken as a competitor, as a friend, as a
board member. I've seen what an incredible job that
Ken has done The
E. W. Scripps Company, Emcee Gordon Elliott congratulates Ken
is truly remarkable.
He took a huge idea
for HGTV, went to
the board, which was
a big ask at the time.
It's funny in retrospect,
because I think the
original ask was $25
million to build this
business, and convinced
the the board to do it. It
turned out to be a huge
home run. It's one of
the many reasons why
we're here tonight to
honor Ken. Of course if
it hadn't worked, he'd be
back at Raleigh/Durham
playing Bobby Sherman
records.
I asked some of his
fellow board members
for some comments, just
so we could represent
the feelings of the entire
board. Had some really
wonderful things to say
about Ken.
These are some of
the quotes. A superb
human being. He
defines inspiration. His
creativity, sensitivity,
humility and true
leadership make him the
right man at the right
time at the right place. Eloquent, enthusiastic, ethical
and entrepreneurial. Jeff Sagansky, one of my fellow
board members, is here tonight, he had a great line,
he said he's the media CEO with the best performing
company and the best hair. Which begs the question,
are the two related? An extraordinary innovative man.
13 On The Air Spring 2007
So, Ken, I want to leave
you with a humble
little gift. I've summed
up the entirety of
your inspirational and
great 40 years in the
media business in five
simple lines. It's a little
limerick. A young DJ
named Lowe had an
itch to play records
as his path to get
rich. He moved from
broadcasting to cable
'cause he thought it
more stable. And now,
Brian Roberts has made
him his bitch. As we
say in L.A., Ken, you're
beautiful, don't change,
we love you!
Rick Dees: Ken Lowe
is #1
We want to thank you
so much. I got to say to
be here with all these
friends and formal wear
and all, and to be at The
Waldorf-Astoria with
all these great boxes
and all, and such a great
formal event. My cab
driver knew it was a
formal event, he had his
formal turban on the
way here tonight. It was
fantastic. And I have
to go just a couple of seconds further, too. I mean, Jeff
Smulyan has just shelled out a couple of dollars for me
to move from Kiss-FM to Movin' 93.9. And thank you,
Jeff, your lovely wife, Heather. And you've done so well.
Gordon was just talking about Ken and the fact that
E. W. Scripps has done great with our show. We talked
about, at first, that maybe he would buy a little bit of
the weekly top 40. And now, because he didn't, I'm out
of money in over 70 countries!
We started together at a country station in North
Carolina. We were both 17 years old and we loved
radio. You saw a picture of what he started out with,
that transmitter. And actually, Ken, you'll notice from
his voice, is really good. Whatever he decides to do,
he's fantastic. I didn't start out as quickly. It was a
country station, and I had gotten to the point where
the farm animals refused to be on the farm report, and it
was to a point where I said, I got to do something.
And so I made Ken my best friend. And I haven't
regretted it one day, I'm telling you something. It is
true, he has the best hair of anybody I ever saw. That's
the good news. The bad news is, Britney Spears wants
it. And you know, I have to say, too, I mean, being my
best friend, Barbara and Wayne Lowe are the parents
that I wish I had. If I had had Barbara and Wayne
Lowe as my parents, I wouldn't be standing up here on
Xanax and Paxil.
And Ken is always thinking of ideas, I mean always
thinking of ideas. He was up in the room just a
little while ago, we were watching TV just before
coming down here, and there was a news item on
about a city manager in Northern California who is
wearing women's clothes now and going to become a
transvestite. He said, 'You know, I'm thinking about
that, like if that person goes missing, do we put his face
on the cartons of half-and-half?' Ken thinks, he thinks
all the time.
Never a dull moment. His synapses are going like that
all the time. It started back in 1968 at a country station. But it is
very rare to get up here and just say that this guy really
is everything that everybody else has said he is tonight.
He's the real deal, I can honestly say he's my best friend
in the world. And no joking, Ken, I love you, buddy,
you deserve this. It's a long time coming. And they've
made the right choice. Ken Lowe is number one. God
bless you, bud. Thank you.
14 On The Air Spring 2007
Kenny
Rogers
Photos by
Wendy Moger-Bross
17 On The Air Spring 2007
Through
the years...
18 On The Air Spring 2007
Thank you!
Guest presenter Rick Dees
cky
nd Be
Pat a
19 On The Air Spring 2007
on
rs
Patte
Broadcasters Foundation Chair
Phil Lombardo and his wife Kim
Ken with Scripps Networks
Mariane Whittemore
retired
field with
Jim Rosen
k Jansen
ic
D
t
n
reside
Scripps P
20 On The Air Spring 2007
Guest presenter Burton Jablin of Scripps Networks
Nancy Peretsman of
Allen & Company and Ken
Rock
& Roc
k Jock
Ken L
owe
Mark Hale, Mary Lowe, Sally Hale and Ken
21 On The Air Spring 2007
Tim Huban of GE Capital with Skip
Finley of ICBC Broadcast Holdings
Photos by
Wendy
Moger-Bross
Harris Optimal Solutions President
Ed Adams with his wife Tara
Tracy Tynan, Director of Sales HRP and
John Lansing of Scripps Networks
blisher Jim o
Report Pu
s
s
e
in
ombard
s
u
B
and Phil L
y
Radio/TV
th
a
K
e
, his wif
Carnegie
22 On The Air Spring 2007
A-starlight night!
n
levision Statio
President Te
e
hy
ic
at
V
K
r
io
ife
en
w
his
ipps S
eterson and
Ken with Scr
Group Bill P
Jay Isab
ella of Te
lerep an
Gary Lic
d
o of Cab
le Ready
Great American Country President Ed Hardy,
his wife Kim and Ken Lowe
Mike
O’Neill
of BMI
with BMI
President
Emeritus
Frances
Preston
and Clear
Channel
Television
Chair Bill
Moll
23 On The Air Spring 2007
Kevin Svenningsen, senior vice-president sales and marketing
NABS, Dave Thomas senior vice-president strategy and business
and Susan Whiting president and chief executive officer of Nielsen
Media Research
Crystal Price and Mary Lowe
om of
Chuck Bolkc
oo
useC pers
Pricewaterho
Sheri
with his wife
Chris Theodoros of Google
and Lisa Sirotka-Sonnenklar of
McGavren Guild
Kenny Ro
gers
“The Gam
bler.”
24 On The Air Spring 2007
teve
Ken with S
Martin
y
e
and Herv
Television
nis of Katz ications
ia
y
lo
e
B
n
nd Jim
el Commu
piesman a
le of Citad
o
C
Michael S
y
a
R
d
surroun
25 On The Air Spring 2007
Reed Television Group Vice-President
& General Manager Larry Oliver and his
wife Betty Oliver
Susan and Dale Pond
Photos by
Wendy
Moger-Bross
Executive
ent
Vice-Presid
,
es
al
Ad S
, and
Engineering
edia
M
Emerging
orks
w
et
N
s
Scripp
tti his
Steve Giglio
n
o
wife Shar
Casey Coleman, On The Air Creative Director Jamie Russo and
Mica Jean Pierre of the Broadcasters Foundation of America
BMI’s D
a
and Bu n Spears, De
smoniq
ckley B
u
roadca
sting’s e Bonet of G
oogle
Joe Bil
otta
Gordon and Lynn
Hastings with Scott
and Sheila Knight
26 On The Air Spring 2007
Guest
r
presente
n
h
o
M
Jarl
the
in
n
w
o
n
k
ng
ti
s
a
c
broad
s
a
industry
ters
s
a
M
e
e
L
Hearst Argyle
President and Chief
Executive Officer
David Barrett, Beth
Barrett and Ken
nsen
ia and Dick Ja
Ken with Virgin
The NAB’s Marcellus
Alexander with Michael
Spiesman
27 On The Air Spring 2007
Jennifer
Webber
an
d Ken Lo
we
Dick Jansen, Bill Moll,
Ken Lowe, Tribune’s
Dennis Fitzsimons
and Phil Lombardo
ogers
enny R
Ken, K
e
ry Low
and Ma
Jessica Klekamp with Sheila and Christopher Knight
Bill Sickles of Google Audio,
Gordon Hastings and Chris
Theodoros of Google
28 On The Air Spring 2007
37 On The Air Fall 2006
Ken and Phil Lombardo
rs and Joe
an Spea
ewberry, D
N
e
v
te
S
y,
Skip Finle
Broadcas
ters Foun
dation Dir
Foreman
ector Dic
with his w
k
ife Dr. An
n Hero Fo
reman
Bilotta
Judy Girard and her husband Richie Karron
Phyllis McGorry and Marcia Moger
31 On The Air Spring 2007
Sheryl Arluck, John Mikel
Zeigler and David Glazer
Mark a
nd Sall
y Hale
pleton
Bill Ap Lowe
n
and Ke
Photos by
Wendy
Moger-Bross
Brandt, Lynn and Gordon Hastings
32 On The Air Spring 2007
Katz Chair
Emeritus
Jim
Greenwald
Stan
Desmonique Bonet and
the RAB’s Kerry Tucker
Greater Media’s Peter
Smyth and Peter Doyle
Hearst Argyle’s
Fred Young
33 On The Air Spring 2007
en and
oger, K
rcia M
and Ma
T
uliff of
im McA
dia
e
Petry M
Jackie Johnson, Pat Buchanan with Sally and Mark Hale
Ken with William and
Rebecca Patterson
Bur
lin and
ton Jab
oger
Stan M
Jennifer Howard (Mrs. Willard Stanback) and
Senior Vice President Legal Affairs, Scripps
Networks Willard Stanback
34 On The Air Spring 2007
men, Ken
Fore
Ann Hero
Foreman
Broadcasters Foundation Director Marty
Weisberg, with Connie and Rick Buckley
Photos by
Wendy Moger-Bross
BMI’s Richar
d Conlin
Ernest Liebre and
Colleen Gally
35 On The Air Spring 2007
and Dick
Dave Harrington and Tim Huban of GE Capital
Chris Rohrs and
Kathleen Keefe
and
Judy Girard to
a
in
ir
T
TVB’s Joe
Russ Withers, Bill Stakelin, Bill Moll and Del Bryant
Rick Dees and Ken
t,
Scott Knigh
Skip Finley,
nz
Deirdre Lore
36 On The Air Spring 2007
Cable Ready’s Gary Lico with guest
presenter Judy Girard of Scripps Networks
Tribune CEO Dennis Fitzsimons and Ken
Photos by
Wendy Moger-Bross
Susa
Packa n
rd
and
Mark
Hale
Desmonique
Bonet with
Interep CEO
Dave Kennedy
37 On The Air Spring 2007
The Google delegation.
Art Zeidman, Joe
Anastasi, Adam Marks,
Jeff Weinand, Bill
Sickles, Scott Bogdan,
Chris Theodoros,
Desmonique Bonet and
Carol Rosenberg
Jeff & Heather Smulyan
Senio
r Vice
Pres
the E.
W. Sc ident of Hu
ripps
Comp man Reso
u
any J
ennife rces for
r Web
b
and M
ary Lo er
we
Volunteers Jordan Katz
and Lisa Tesoro from
Katz Media Corporation
Ken, Judy Girard and
her husband Richie Karron
Scripps Net
works Presi
den
t John Lansi
ng and Phil
Lombardo
38 On The Air Spring 2007
Congratulations and goodnight!
John Lansing, Patrick Guy senior vice president business
affairs Scripps Networks, Phiderika Foust vice president
buniness development Scripps Networks, Rich Boehn, Chiev
Operating Officer, The E.W. Scripps Company and Barbara Guy
Lou Occhicone of Cable Ready, Emerson Coleman
of Hearst- Argyle Television and Gary Lico,
President & CEO of Cable Ready
39 On The Air Spring 2007
Barry O’Brien and Mica Jean-Pierre
Bill and Phyllis McGorry with Dick Foreman and Ann Hero Foreman
Donna Stephens senior vice president advertising
sales HGTV and Susan Packard, president affiliate
sales and international development Scripps Networks
Pat Buchanan
Michael James L’Oreal, Jennifer LaMontagne local sales manager of
WBLS-FM, Kendra Sherwood. WBLS, Skip Finley, vice chairman ICBC
Broadcast Holdings and Keisha Sutton James.
40 On The Air Spring 2007
Broadcasters Foundation of America
Your Help
Literally Saves Lives
Two days short of Disability Coverage
Our colleague thrived in the fast-paced environment of a major market station
ever since he knocked on doors as an account executive in 1980. He later
became the type of general manager and vice president that any sales team would
be proud to work alongside. Always challenging himself, he took on a position
leading a network group when a health emergency changed his life in one
day. He had worked for this new firm fewer than 90 days, which meant he was
ineligible for disability coverage.
His worst day was the result of a stroke suffered during open heart/bypass surgery.
It left him without locomotion. Whatever strength he could summon now would
be needed for strenuous rehabilitation. He needs to excel in this endeavor so that
he can stop any further physical decline and prepare himself for another day in
the operating room.
His wife is staying at home to care for him and their three small children. While
he tries to recover, she is trying to hold the family together. More and more
medical bills are coming in which has rapidly depleted their life savings.
Rehabilitation costs, medical bills, deductibles, in home care, and a host of other
unexpected day-to-day expenses have raised havoc upon the lives of this family.
However, despite the circumstances they are fighting back, together, as a family.
The Broadcasters Foundation of America is there for them.
Thank you for supporting our colleagues in need…
The National Association
of Media Brokers
Forty-five member companies strong
Proudly supports the mission of the
Broadcasters Foundation of America
Broadcasters Foundation of America
Your Help
Literally Saves Lives
A Double Blow
A married couple that both worked as successful sales executives in the
broadcasting industry find themselves today in a situation that is simply
unimaginable. The wife and mother of two small children was diagnosed with
Lou Gehrig’s disease in 2005. This rare and paralyzing disease has robbed her
of the life she knew in a very short time. She is fed intravenously and relies on
breathing support to survive. This young woman is aware of her surroundings; so
that she can see and hear her children but cannot hold them and cannot even
speak to them clearly.
Her heartbroken husband is now raising their children, aged 7 and 10, while he
tries to cope with the cruel reality that confronts them every day. Their family
situation appears as if it could not get any worse. But there is also a pressing
financial need. The husband left his prosperous sales career five years ago because
he needed to step in and save the family printing business since his own father’s
health was failing. He made the commitment to invest most of his resources into
the business only to watch it fail financially.
This loss of income coupled with staggering home heath care costs have stripped
away any safety net that the family saved. Although siblings are trying to assist
financially their contributions are meager compared to the monthly debt.
At this moment, our colleagues and their children are in jeopardy of losing their
home due to foreclosure.
The Broadcasters Foundation of America is there for them.
Thank you for supporting our colleagues in need…
2007 Pioneer Awards
Six Radio And Television Legends
To Receive
Broadcasters Foundation Of America
Pioneer Awards
The Broadcasters Foundation of America has announced the
recipients of the 2007 Pioneer Awards to be presented at the
Pioneers Breakfast on Wednesday, April 18, 2007 at The
Bellagio Hotel during the NAB Convention in Las Vegas.
Receiving honors as Broadcast Pioneers will be James
G. Babb the retired President & CEO of Jefferson-Pilot
Communications Company, Gary Chapman, CEO emeritus
of LIN TV Corporation, California radio entrepreneur
Bob Fox, broadcaster and Radio Ink Publisher B. Eric
Rhoads, Sorenson Broadcasting President & CEO Dean
Sorenson and California-Oregon Broadcasters President
Patricia C. Smullin.
The awards will be presented on Wednesday, April 18 at 7:15
A.M. at The Bellagio. The National Association of Media
Brokers, the Radio Advertising Bureau and TVB underwrite
the annual breakfast. There is no charge for admission,
however attendees are asked to register their attendance with
the foundation office at 203-862-8577.
47 On The Air Spring 2007
of the Olympic events for NBC as well as NCAA
Basketball, NFL Football, including the Super
Bowl, and has just begun producing NASCR events
for Fox Television.
James G. Babb
James G. Babb is executive vice president
for television for Bahakel Communications,
headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina.
He formerly was chair, president and CEO of
Outlet Communications, Inc., headquartered in
Providence, R.I., from May 1991 through February
1996. Before joining Outlet, Babb was president
and CEO of Jefferson-Pilot Communications
Company in Charlotte and a director of the
Jefferson-Pilot Corporation (1988-1991) prior
to his retirement in 1991. He held a number of
management positions before his elevation to
president in 1988.
Babb has held a number of key positions in the
broadcasting industry including president of the
North Carolina Association of Broadcasters; chair
of the Television Board and a member of the
board of the National Association of Broadcasters;
chair of the board of TVB (Television Bureau of
Advertising) and chair of the CBS Television
Network Affiliates Advisory Board. He is a former
member and chair of the Board of BMI, Inc.
Jim also serves on the board of Piedmont Television
Holdings, a group owner of television stations; and
prior to its sale in August, 2004, Babb served as a
director of NEP Productions, a major international
television production company that produces all
He is a former member of the Board of Governors
of the University of North Carolina and was chair
of the public affairs committee. He is also a trustee
of the Arts and Science Council of Charlotte
and the YMCA of Central Carolinas. In 1985 he
received the Distinguished Alumnus Award from
UNC Charlotte and was elected a charter member
of the UNCC Alumni Hall of the Fame in 1991.
He is currently a member of the board of trustees
at UNCC and chair of the nominating committee.
He is a graduate of Belmont Abby College, having
served on the college’s board of trustees on two
different occasions. He is also a recipient of the
Abbey’s Distinguished Alumnus Award.
Gary R. Chapman
Gary Chapman is chairman, president and chief
executive officer emeritus of LIN TV Corp. Gary
joined LIN TV’s former parent in 1988 as president
of television and was named CEO of television in
June 1994 and chairman in August 2000.
Gary received his BS degree in radio and television
communications from Southern Illinois University
at Carbondale. He began his television career at
48 On The Air Spring 2007
KSDK-TV, St. Louis in 1967, and by 1976, he
became director of marketing and research for
KSDK’s owner, Pulitzer Television. After serving
as general manager of WLNE-TV, Providence
from 1979 to 1984, Gary was promoted to director
of broadcasting for the station’s parent company,
Freedom Newspapers, Inc. In 1987, he was named
senior vice president, broadcasting of Freedom
Newspapers.
Gary became a member of the Electronic
Media Rating Council in 1980, and presided as
chairman from 1982 to 1988. Gary was the joint
board chairman of the National Association of
Broadcasters from 1991 to 1993 and served on the
board of directors from 1987, including chairman of
the television board (1989-1991). He has served as
chairman of COLTAM and chairman of the NAB
personal diary project. He has also served on the
board of directors of the Advanced Television Test
Center, Inc. (ATTC), and the Advertising Council.
Gary was chairman of the board of The Association
for Maximum Service Television (MSTV) from
2000-20005. He is presently chairman of the
advisory board of governors for the National
Association of Broadcasters Education Foundation
(NABEF), co-chairman of the NAB Decency in
Programming Task Force, and is on the board of
the Broadcasters Foundation of America. Gary is
also a former director of The Greater Providence
Chamber of Commerce. Gary is the recipient of
he 2002 Hugh Malcolm Beville, Jr. Award for his
achievement in the filed of audience research. Gary
received an Honorary Doctoral Degree from Roger
Williams University in May 2005, and is a board
trustee at Roger Williams University.
49 On The Air Spring 2007
Bob Fox
When Bob Fox was a young man, he visited
KFWB, Los Angeles, and asked to see the sales
manager. After introducing himself, Bob said he
would go to work at no salary in order to obtain a
job as a sales person at the station. He obtained the
job and, thus, began a life long career in the radio
industry.
In the late 1960s Bob, with a partner, Ira Laufer,
purchased KVEN AM and FM (Ventura, CA).
KVEN-FM became KHAY when Bob introduced
country music to Ventura County. The station
quickly became the most listened to station in
the county. Eventually, Bob bought out his
partner and became majority owner of the
company.
Bob became more involved in the industry and
in 1983 and l986 was elected chairman of the
Southern California Broadcasters Association. Bob
also became an officer and director of the California
Broadcasters Association and chaired the CBA’s
Anti Drunk Driving Task Force. In 1994, the
California Broadcasters Association named Bob
Broadcaster of the Year.
In 1984 Bob was elected a director of the Radio
Board of the National Association of Broadcasters.
In 1987, he was elected vice chairman of the radio
board and became the first broadcaster from the
West Coast to be elected as an officer of the
NAB. In 1987, Bob offered a motion to form and
present a technology summit in order to enable
the industry to keep abreast of new technical
developments. The Technology Summit has
become an annual event.
In 1990 Bob was again elected a director of the
NAB and from ’92 to ’93 served as vice chairman
of the radio board and from 1993 to 1994 served
as chairman of the radio board. While chairman
of the radio board of the NAB, Bob founded the
National Association of Broadcasters Educational
Foundation and raised $102,500 to initially fund
the foundation. He also served on the board of
advisors of the association.
In 1996, the NAB recognized Bob with the Grover
Cobb Award for his “Extraordinary contributions to
better understanding between broadcasters and the
government.”
Bob graduated from the University of California at
Berkeley with a Bachelor of Arts degree. He and his
wife live in the Pacific Palisades and they are the
parents of two daughters.
Broadcastings WLQY (Y-100) in Miami, Florida.
At just 17, Rhoads was one of the youngest fulltime major-market radio talents in America.
Rhoads’ first programming gig came with KIOY
(K104) in Fresno, California.
Rhoads delved into station ownership in 1980 at
age 25, purchasing KLRZ in Salt Lake City, KEYY
in Provo, and KHAA in New Orleans. After six
years, Rhoads sold the properties and founded
Streamline Communications Corporation, which
manufactured remote radio studios. The company’s
marquee product was The Giant Boom Box.
In 1987 Rhoads advertised his product in a littleknown publication called The Pulse of Broadcasting.
He later purchased the publication,
founded a new company, Streamline Publishing,
and changed the name to The Pulse of Radio which
later became Radio Ink. Today, Radio Ink is one of
the radio industry’s top trade magazines. Streamline
also publishes Fine Art Connoisseur, which targets
affluent art collectors.
In its 20 years, Streamline has expanded into
publishing radio industry books and DVDs. In
1997 Rhoads published his first book, Blast From
The Past: A 75-Year Photo History of Radio. Beyond
printed publications, Streamline produces the
RadioInk.com and FineArtCommisseur.com websites.
Rhoads has also broadened the company’s scope
B. Eric Rhoads
Eric Rhoads started his radio career in 1969
at age 14 working as a DJ at WITB in Fort
Wayne, Indiana. From there he went to WYYY
in Kalamazoo, Michigan, but Rhoads’ big break
came when he joined the inaugural staff of Heftel
into conferences. Along with Radio Ink’s Forecast
Conference, held annually at the Harvard Club
in New York, the company this year is launching
the Radio Ink Hispanic Radio Conference and is relaunching its Convergence conference.
50 On The Air Spring 2007
Rhoads, his wife Laurie, and their four-year-old
Her recurring television program, Up Close with
triplets Grace, Brady, and Berkeley split time
Patsy Smullin, has involved interviews with some
between homes in San Francisco, Palm Beach,
of the most intriguing people in America including
and the Adirondacks. An avid boater, Rhoads is
TV stars, first ladies and network anchors.
also a collector of antique radios and microphones.
An accomplished photographer and oil painter,
Patsy has served as president of the Oregon
Rhoads’ work has been represented in art galleries
Association of Broadcasters and as a board member
in Seattle and Santa Fe.
of the National Association of Broadcasters and
the NBC Affiliates Board. Patsy’s Dad received the
NAB’s distinguished service award and she and her
dad are the only father-daughter team to serve on
the NAB board. Patsy like her father is known for
the foresight and wisdom to make small market
broadcast outlets be all they can possibly be and
for consistently providing community service to
individuals throughout the west via the broadcast
medium.
Patricia C. Smullin
Patsy Smullin is the president and owner of
California Oregon Broadcasting, Inc., which
her father founded in 1933. It is the longest
continuously operated, independent broadcast
organization in the West having served Northern
California and Oregon for over seven decades.
Its holdings include: KOBI-TV (NBC), the first
VHF television station in Oregon with stations in
Medford, Coos Bay and Grants Pass; KOTI-TV
Dean Sorenson
(NBC) in Klamath Falls; KEVU-TV (independent)
and KLSR-TV (FOX) in Eugene Oregon, and
Fifty years ago, Dean Sorenson was finishing his
COBi Digital HD, the region’s leading media
senior year at Mitchell, SD, high school, and
Production Company.
playing nine holes of golf with friends. When
another nine holes was suggested Dean responded,
Her career in television has been both as an
“I need to go to town and find a job!” When one of
administrator and a practitioner of the art, with
his friends asked where, Dean answered “The radio
experience both behind and in front of the camera.
station.”
51 On The Air Spring 2007
An hour later, he was at 250 watt KORN-AM in
Mitchell at the very same moment a DJ named
Gary Owens had resigned for another radio
position! Dean was hired. The job complimented
his plans to attend classes during days at the local
Dakota Wesleyan University.
It was at KORN that Dean cemented his lifetime
career plan, to be in mass media but in towns where
there are no masses!
His sales skills were learned shortly thereafter in
Rapid City, and then Pierre, SD. His first General
Manager’s position came at age 23, at a 200-watt
daytime station with a horizontal antenna strung
between two telephone poles.
Dean and friend Jerry Simmons founded
Sorenson Broadcasting in 1971. Jerry had a love
of radio, although never working in the business,
and brought a deep understanding of business
management to the company. That partnership
continued 15 years and Dean still thinks it was one
of the best partnerships ever, in American business.
In 30 years, the company purchased or constructed
22 stations in 10 communities in South Dakota,
North Dakota, Minnesota and Iowa.
By 1994, the company established one of the earlier
Employee Stock Ownership Plans in small radio
markets. In 2000, the stations were leased to Waitt
Radio/NRG, and remain in that lease arrangement
today. Since 2000, Dean and his fishing friend,
Dick Chapin, have owned stations in Omaha,
Hastings and Nebraska City, NE, as well as Spencer
and Storm Lake, IA. Dean is currently constructing
two new FM stations in Aberdeen, SD.
Dean served on the NAB Board of Directors from
1978-82, and has been an RAB Board Member
since 1977. He has been a frequent speaker and
sales trainer at both state association conventions,
and NAB and RAB conventions. In the 1960’s he
was elected twice to the South Dakota Legislature,
being the youngest person ever elected to that body.
He and his wife Rita have five children and five
grandchildren. Dean and Rita reside in Sioux Falls,
SD.
Inside Edition Anchor Deborah Norville will
emcee the 2007 Broadcast Pioneer Awards to be
held at The Bellagio. Deborah is also a director
and member of the executive committee of the
Broadcasters Foundation of America and has
served on the board for seven years. She is the
national media spokes person for the mission
of the foundation and each year makes several
appearance on the foundation’s behalf including
the Service to America Awards in Washington
DC and the TVB annual conference in New York
City.
52 On The Air Spring 2007
Broadcasters
Foundation
of America
Endowment Fund
Your Opportunity To Give Back
The Broadcasters Foundation of America Endowment Fund was established in 1998 by a resolution of the Broadcasters
Foundation of America Board of Directors.
The fund’s exclusive purpose is to ensure that financial assistance be available in perpetuity to fellow broadcasters who,
through no fault of their own, are in acute personal financial need. The endowment is used exclusively to support the
benevolent outreach of the Broadcasters Foundation of America.
To qualify for help, an individual must go through a detailed application process which includes a financial statement,
income tax returns, reference checks, and a physician’s medical statement, when appropriate. Monthly grants vary in size
depending on individual circumstances. All grants are approved and renewed annually by the Broadcasters Foundation of
America Executive Committee. Grant recipients remain anonymous so as to preserve their dignity.
Endowment Committee
William O’Shaughnessy, Chair
Phil Beuth, ABC/CapCities (Ret.)
Erica Farber, Publisher, Radio & Records
Dick Foreman, Richard A. Foreman Associates
Ed McLaughlin, Foundation Chair Emeritus
Larry Oliver, VP & General Manager, Reed Television Group
Call (203) 862-8577 for more information
20 On The Air Summer 2006
Broadcasters Foundation of America
Your Help
Literally Saves Lives
Broadcasters Foundation of America
Stroke felled broadcaster
A broadcast personality and industry entrepreneur needs our help. Our colleague
was in the forefront of the community as a founder of a national publication
dedicated to the industry. He later pursued several independent entrepreneurial
ventures, unfortunately to no lasting financial success.
In December of 2006, he suffered a massive stroke resulting in brain damage to
a serious degree. This dynamic communicator now contends with short-term
memory loss and is at this time critically delusional. Fighting for his life, he has
made enough physical improvement to be transferred to a local rehabilitation
center, where he present condition is complicated and unstable. Known as a bold
risk-taker, he is now in the unfathomable position of being unable to manage his
own life.
His health problems are compounded by a dire financial need. He is without
health insurance, pension or other resources mandatory to afford the high-level
quality of health care he needs to survive. His two daughters have informed us
that they must locate an assisted living facility immediately that can offer the
attention that he needs. His present facility is unsatisfactory owing to a lack of
rehabilitation services and even lack of concern on the part of the staff handling
his case.
His children are presently navigating a complicated state health care system in
order to identify any support possible. But they will only be able to help their
father if we can help them. We have the ability to make a difference in our
colleague’s quality of life today.
The Broadcasters Foundation of America is there for this family.
Thank you for supporting our colleagues in need…
Message From The President
Broadcasters Foundation
T heof America
takes great
pride in each Golden Mike
presentation being a unique
evening. This year’s Golden
Mike was no exception. The
wonderful gala gathering at The
Waldorf Astoria on February 26,
as detailed in the pages of this
issue, attest to the great tribute
paid to Ken Lowe and The E.W.
Scripps Company.
I hope that you will take the
time to read the expressions
of our guest presenters Judy
Girard, Jarl Mohn, Burton
Jablin, Susan Packard and Rick
Dees. As one guest said to me
following the dinner, “This must
be a wonderful company and
individual to work for!” It is
indeed.
The foundation wishes to
express its deep gratitude for the
generosity of The E.W. Scripps
Company in working closely
with us to present the 2007
Golden Mike Award to its leader
Ken Lowe. We are grateful for
Scripps making possible the
appearance of country music
icon Kenny Rogers and for
bringing such a large delegation
of the Scripps family to the
event. Rick Dees, a friend of
Ken Lowe’s since their teenage
disc jockey years in North
Carolina, graciously sponsored
the dinner reception. Atlantic
Wines and Spirits generously
sponsored the post reception.
57 On The Air Spring 2007
Of course, a special thanks to
the hundreds who supported our
mission by attending the dinner.
Because Bad Things Can
Happen to Good People is the
theme of our 2007 Broadcasters
Foundation of America
outreach. Initiated by Chair
Phil Lombardo, the campaign’s
purpose is to insure that any
broadcaster who needs our help
is aware of our mission. You will
see our outreach messages in this
issue of On The Air along with
several case studies titled Your
Help Literally Saves Lives. The
message is clear; please assist us
in spreading the word so that
our safety net will be available
to all broadcasters who qualify
for our help. Special thanks
to Broadcasting & Cable for
designing these advertisements
and generously providing space
in their publication.
The 2007 Broadcast Pioneer
Awards will once again salute an
illustrious group of broadcasters.
What a lineup! Jim Babb,
Gary Chapman, Bob Fox, Eric
Rhoads, Patsy Smullin and
Dean Sorenson. We hope that
you will join us to salute these
individuals who have given so
much to our industry. Join us on
April 18 at 7:15 A.M. at The
Bellagio. You will be our guests
thanks to the generosity of the
RAB, TVB and the National
Association of Media Brokers.
The Broadcasters Foundation
of America NAB Charity Golf
Tournament will be held on
Sunday, April 15 at the Bali
Hai Golf Club. Broadcasting
and Cable and New York
Life Investment Management
underwrite this event so that all
player fees go directly to support
the work of the foundation.
Thanks to Larry Oliver and
Gary Faccenda. We also greatly
appreciate the sponsorship
participation of George Reed
and Media Services Group,
Ed Adams and Harris Optimal
Solutions and Wide-Orbit.
Bill Moll, Paul Karpowicz and
Scott Knight do a terrific job
in organizing this tournament,
which unbelievably is now in its
13th year!
Do not forget that the 2007
Broadcasters Foundation
of America Celebrity Golf
Tournament will be held on
Monday, September 17 at the
Wee Burn Country Club in
Darien, Connecticut. Please
contact me for additional
information.
The Broadcasters Foundation of
America is all about giving back.
To the hundreds of people who
support our events and our fund
raising efforts throughout the
year our heartfelt thanks.
I hope to see you in Las Vegas.
GHH
Broadcasters Foundation of America Board of Directors
2006-2007
Philip J. Lombardo
Chair
Stu Olds
Vice Chair
Gordon H. Hastings
President
Board of Directors
Edward F. McLaughlin
Chairman Emeritus
Joseph C. Amaturo
The Amaturo Family Foundation, Inc.
David J. Barrett
President/CEO, Hearst-Argyle Television
Richard A. Foreman
President/CEO,
Richard A. Foreman Associates
Lawrence Oliver
VP/General Manager,
Reed Television Group
Alan W. Frank
President, Post Newsweek Stations, Inc.
William O’Shaughnessy
Chairman, WVOX/WRTN-Whitney Radio
Gary Fries,
Radio Advertising Bureau, ret.
Diane Linen Powell
Chair
Des Plaines Publishing
Philip R. Beuth
Capital Cities, ret.
Del R. Bryant
President/CEO, BMI
Ralph Guild
Chairman, Interep
Frances Preston
President Emeritus, BMI
Wade Hargrove, Esq.
Brooks Pierce
McLendon Humphrey & Leonard LLP
John Reardon
President/CEO, Tribune Broadcasting
Paul Karpowicz
President/CEO,
Meredith Broadcasting Group
David Rehr
President/CEO,
Nat’l Assoc. of Broadcasters
Edward Christian
President/CEO, Saga Communications, Inc.
N. Scott Knight
Managing Partner,
Connecticut School of Broadcasting
Joseph Reilly
President, NYS Broadcasters Association
Erica Farber
Publisher, Radio & Records
Jerry Lee
President, WBEB-FM
Richard Ferguson
Cox Radio, ret.
Jerry Levy
President, JL Media Inc.
Joseph M. Field
Chairman, Entercom
Stanley H. Moger
President/CEO, SFM Entertainment
Skip Finley
Vice-Chairman,
ICBC Broadcast Holdings, Inc.
William G. Moll
Chairman, Clear Channel Television
Richard D. Buckley
President/CEO,
Buckley Broadcasting Corp.
Gary R. Chapman
LIN TV Corp., ret.
Andrew S. Fisher
President, Cox Television, Inc.
Jeffrey H. Smulyan
Chairman/CEO, Emmis Communications
Peter H. Smyth
President/CEO, Greater Media, Inc.
Nicholas J. Verbitsky
Chairman,
United Stations Radio Networks
Martin Eric Weisberg, Esq.
Baker & McKenzie
Corporate Counsel
Deborah Norville
Inside Edition
Officers
Chuck Bolkcom
Vice-President, PricewaterhouseCoopers
Deborah Roberts
ABC News
PLEASE DRINK RESPONSIBLY.
JOHNNIE WALKER® BLACK LABEL® Blended Scotch Whisky, 40% Alc./Vol. (80 Proof), ©2004 Diageo North America, Inc., Stamford, CT
On The Air
Broadcasters Foundation of America
Seven Lincoln Avenue
Second Floor
Greenwich, CT 06830
PRSRT STD
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
STAMFORD, CT
PERMIT No. 102