on the air...hearst-argyle television: chris rohrs, kathleen keefe, ray karczewski, jonathan...
TRANSCRIPT
Broadcasters Foundation of AmericaFall 2008
Mission StatementThe 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
© On the Air is a free news and feature publication, offered to Broadcasters Foundation of America members and friends and is published three times a year by the :Broadcasters Foundation of AmericaSeven Lincoln AvenueSecond FloorGreenwich, CT 06830www.broadcastersfoundation.org
Gordon H. Hastings,ghhMANAGEMENT, PublisherJamie Russo, Creative Director
For feature story contributions or to request another copy of this publication, please call theBroadcasters Foundation of America at 203-862-8577, or you may email any questions and/or comments to Gordon H. Hastings at [email protected]
Volume 12 • Issue 3 • Fall 2008
On The Air
2008 Celebrity Golf Tournament
Page 2Table Of Contents2008 Celebrity Golf ...... 3-47
Endowment Campaign .....49
2009 Golden Mike ..........50
B&C Hall of Fame ...........53
President’s Message .......64
2009 Golden Mike
Page 50
99
10 Years and Going StrongAnniversary Celebrity Golf Caps Two-Million Dollars In Support Of The Foundation’s Mission
8
Broadcasters Foundationof America
2 On The Air Fall 2008
The Quaker Ridge Golf Club in Scarsdale,
New York, September 15, 2008 was the site of
the celebration of the tenth anniversary of the
Broadcasters Foundation of America Celebrity
Golf Tournament. The tournament, founded
in 1999, has raised in excess of two million
dollars, which has gone directly to helping
fellow radio and television broadcasters who
are in acute financial need. The founding
tournament was held in 1999 at Manhattan
Woods Golf Club in Nyack, New York. In
ensuing years the event has been played at
Inwood Golf Club (2000), Ardsley Country
Club (2001), Essex County Country Club
(2002), Siwanoy (2003), Sleepy Hollow
Country Club (2004), Trump National Golf
Club 2005, The Stanwich Club (2006), The
Wee Burn Country Club (2007), The Quaker
Ridge Golf Club (2008).
U.S. Trust, Bank of America Private
Wealth Management, celebrated its fifth year
as the tournament signature sponsor. The
tournament is scheduled to return to Siwanoy
in Bronxville, New York on September 14,
2009.
2008 Low Gross Champions. The Atlantic Wines foursome of (L-R) Marcello Alcoba, John Devin, Ahmad Rashad, Jeff Kim, Neal Cavanaugh. The winning low gross was 64.
3 On The Air Fall 2008
LPGA Stars Join And Volunteers As
Anna Rawson of Adelaide, Australia: 2008 LPGA Tour Member , 2007 Ladies European Tour Member, 2007 Ecco Golf Spokes Model, 2006 & 2005 Duramed Futures Tour Member, 2003 USC NCAA Championship Team Member, South Australian and Victorian Junior Champion, 1999 Australian National Team Member University of Southern California Golf Team . Anna starred in the tournament Beat the Pro-Competition sponsored by Harris Corporation with prizes provided by Atlantic Wines and Spirits.
4 On The Air Fall 2008
Guest CelebritiesTournament Hosts
Nicole Hage of Coral Springs, Florida: 2008 LPGA Tour Member, 2008 Duramed Futures Tour Member, 2004 SEC Freshman of the Year, 4-time SEC All-American Selection at Auburn, 2003-2007 Auburn Women’s Golf Team Member, 2002 & 2005 - 2007 USGA Women’s Open, Participant, 2001 & 2003- 2006 USGA Women’s Amateur Participant, 2002 Championship US Junior Solheim Cup Team, Member of the 2002 victorious US Junior Solheim Cup. Nicole starred in the Celebrity Power Drive competition sponsored by KnightStone Media.
5 On The Air Fall 2008
Ahmad Rashad is a four-time pro-bowl selection for the Minnesota Vikings, two time All American, Emmy award-winning sportscaster, executive producer and host for NBA Entertainment, host and executive producer for both the new NBA TV pregame show Tuesday Night with Ahmad, and ABC’s NBA Access with Ahmad Rashad.
Renowned for her coverage of the U.S. Open, The British Open, The Masters, U.S. Tennis Open. New York radio sports personality and author Ann Liguori
Multiple Emmy Award Winning sportscaster for WNBC-TV’s Good
Morning New York, Otis Livingston
NFL Hall of Fame Linebacker, super Bowl champion, three super bowl appearances for the Miami Dolphins, Former New
England Patriot, Notre Dame, founder of the Miami Project to find a cure for spinal cord injury. Nick Buoniconti at the
tournament reception with his wife Lynn. Nick and Lynn have played in celebrity golf five times in the past decade
Legendary New York Jet Linebacker, WCBS-TV Football analyst, 1050 ESPN Radio Sportscaster and Personality Greg Buttle
6 On The Air Fall 2008
The former anchor for Court-TV, commentator on MSNBC, CNBC, founder of Crier Communications, Emmy Award winning broadcaster Catherine Crier
The current keeper of the Gambling flame, WOR-Radio Personality John Gambling
The 2009 Celebrity Golf Incredible Volunteers! Back row left to right: Desmonique Bonet, Google; Cynthia Coppola, PromoFocus; Alissa Pollack, Premiere Radio Networks; Margaret Hughes, Katz Media Corporation; Heidi Weaver, Arbitron; Jackie Giblin, Katz; Michaelle Jean Pierre, Esq.; Connie McKiernan, Broadcasters Foundation of America, Charlie Schipani.
Front row left to right: Diana Wilkin, CBS Television Network; Barry O’Brien, Dominique Walker, Katz Media. Not shown in photo: Bill Moll, Clear Channel; Brian Stone, KnightStone Media; Diane Powell, Lucille Tufano, Broadcasters Foundation of America.
7 On The Air Fall 2008
Emmy Award winning journalists from WCBS-TV, Dana Tyler and Maurice DuBois
NFL Hall of Fame member from the New England Patriots and the Oakland Raiders, Michael Haynes
Since 1995 the voice of the David Letterman Show “Big Red” Alan Kalter
8 On The Air Fall 2008
Photos by Wendy
Moger-Bross
Celebrity Golf Founding Executive Chair Scott Knight with Michael Haynes
Ten year Tournament Director and ghhMANAGEMENT President
Gordon Hastings
Larry Knowlton and Alan Kalter
Steve Boyd of WBLS enjoys a CAO Cigar!
9 On The Air Fall 2008
Bill Cooper surveys a drive
Clarke Kieran
and Jim Monahan of
Telerep
Jen Buckley of Buckley Broadcasting
Jackie Giblin of Katz Media Corporation
10 On The Air Fall 2008
Joe Kahl and Brian Citron of Heineken-USA, Amstel Light
Maurice DuBois of WCBS-TV, Barry Bennett of CAO International and Dan Malmed
Alan Dick, President of Dick Broadcasting
Anna Rawson and Dana Tyler
Volunteers Margaret Hughes of Katz media Corporation and Alissa Pollack of Premiere Radio Networks selling Nike Golf Club raffle tickets
11 On The Air Fall 2008
WNBC-TV’s Tom O’Brien
Maverick Media’s Gary Rozynek
Dave Villalona and Ken Silverman of WCBS-TV
Van Wagner’s Bob Fauser
Cigar Aficionado’s Marvin Shanken
12 On The Air Fall 2008
Bonnie Verbitsky and Sheila Knight
“Big Red” Alan Kalter of the David Letterman Show with WCBS-TV’s Dana Tyler and
WNBC-TV’s Otis Livingston
Steve Appel with Beat the Pro Sponsor Ed Adams of Harris Corporation
Foundation Chair Phil Lombardo
13 On The Air Fall 2008
52 On The Air Fall 2008 58 On The Air Summer 2007
99
Peter Smyth
And The Bordes Family
Monday, February 23, 2009 The Waldorf Astoria New York City
For advance seating, advertising and sponsorship information please contact Gordon Hastings, ghhMANAGEMENT at [email protected] or 203-862-8577
American Media Services: Gary Rozynek, Todd Fowler, Dana Tyler, Anna Rawson, Chris Mangan
BMI/USO: Mike O’Neill, Michael Steinberg, Ned Powell and Kevin Page representing CAO International Cigar
Meredith Broadcasting/TVB: Paul Karpowicz,
Leo MacCourtney, Peter Schruth, Scott Blumenthal
Cigar Aficionado: Gordon Mott, Marvin Shanken, James Molesworth, Dave Savora
2008 Low Gross Champions. The Atlantic Wines foursome of (L-R) Marcello Alcoba, John Devin, Ahmad Rashad, Jeff Kim, Neal Cavanaugh. The winning low gross was 64.
KnightStone Media: Bob Fauser,
Gary Star, Scott Karnedy, Rich Doucette
THIRD PLACE NET: United Stations Radio Networks: Bill Hogan, Paul Verbitsky, Nick Verbitsky, Nick Verbitsky III
KnightStone Media: Michael Haynes, T.J. Lambert, Scott Knight, Ann LiguoriTelerep: Jim Hughes, Brad Mont, Jim Monahan, Kieran Clarke
Nielsen: John Deushane and Steve Mulderrig
Katz Media Corporation: Alan Dick, Brad Thomas, Jim Beloyianis, Mark Grey, Stu Olds, Rob Williams
Jamie Gillespie of the NAB
Cynposis President Chuck Bolkcom
TVB President & CEO Chris Rohrs with Hearst Argyle Television’s Kathleen Keefe
CBS College Sports Ellen
Schned
16 On The Air Fall 2008
Greater Media’s
Matt Mills
Meredith’s Paul
Karpowicz with
Broadcasters Foundation of America Chair Phil Lombardo
and LIN-TV’s Scott
Blumenthal
BMI’s Mike O’Neill and Michael Steinberg
CBS Radio’s Scott Herman
Broadcasting and Cable Hall of Fame’s Bill McGorry with Citadel’s Ray Cole
17 On The Air Fall 2008
Broadcasters Foundation of America President Jim Thompson with Gary Starr
The NFL’s Michael Haynes, KnightStone Media Managing General Partner Scott Knight with T.J. Lambert
Broadcasters Foundation of America Chair Emeritus Ed McLaughlin
Gina Costello of UBS and Phil Lombardo
Peter Doyle and Mike Cravens
18 On The Air Fall 2008
Gordon Hastings with Todd Fowler of American Media
Services, sponsor of the Driving Range and Pro Clinic
Broadcasters Foundation of America Director and tournament volunteer Diane Powell welcome’s Regent’s Bill Stakelin
Ernest Liebre of
Cambridge Financial Services
Group with Jim
Beloyianis, president
of Katz Television
CBS Television Network Affiliate
Relations President Diana Wilkin with
Steve Mulderrig
19 On The Air Fall 2008
Paul Verbitsky, Bonnie and Nick Verbitsky
Steve Boyd and Deon Livingston of WBLS-ICBC Broadcast Holdings
Catherine Crier, Bill Cooper and John Plesser of WBLS, New York
Official Greeter Brian Stone of KnightStone Media welcome’s John Devin of Atlantic Wines and Spirits. John annually sponsors the Celebrity Golf gala cocktail reception and entertainment
20 On The Air Fall 2008
Scott Knight and Ann Liguori
Tournament Director Gordon Hastings and Joe McCallion of Media Monitors sponsor of the $100,000 Hole in One
Mark Grey with Clear Channel’s Rob Williams
Nicole Hege, Anna Rawson, with Ed Adams and Mike Sutton of Harris
21 On The Air Fall 2008
Bill Hogan
John Cravens and Jim Thompson
Heidi Weaver of
Arbitron welcomes
Steve Boyd of WBLS
Rick McGuire and Scott Herman
John Gabelli, Mario Gabelli and Jeff Farber
22 On The Air Fall 2008
Barry Bennett of CAO International Cigar. CAO International provided cigars for every golfer and guest during the tournament and reception
Leo McCourtney
Neal Perchuk and Joe McCallion of Media Monitors
Foundation Chair Phil Lombardo withKatia Friend of U.S. Trust
Bank of America Private Wealth Management, signature sponsors
of the tournament
23 On The Air Fall 2008
Proud supporter The Broadcasters Foundation of America
Gabelli Funds: Jeffrey Farber, John Gabelli, Mario Gabelli
WBLS-ICBC Broadcast Holdings: Steve Boyd, John Plesser, Bill Cooper Deon Livingston
U.S. Trust: John Stockel, Nick Buoniconti, Paul Napoli, Billy Kreitsek Hearst-Argyle Television: Chris Rohrs, Kathleen Keefe, Ray Karczewski, Jonathan Skidmore
FIRST PLACE NET, U.S. Trust: Charles Perrin, Jeff Blum, Mitch Drossman, Dan McSwiggan, Peter Debusschere
O’Connor Davies Munns & Dobbins; Bill Moll, Marc Rinaldi, Budd Feuchtwager
NAB: Matt Becker, John Gambling, Kyle Wyatt, Jamie Gillespie, Peter Stewart
Greater Media: Matt Mills, Rick Feinblatt, Mike Craven, Peter Doyle
McLaughlin/Sontag: Ed McLaughlin, Sam Peisinger, Kelly McNealy John Axten
WCBS-TV: Rick Silverman, Peter Dunn, Dave Villalona, Rick McGuire
Heineken-Amstel Light: Joe Kahl, Francisco Nogrete, George Fornasi, and Brian Citron
New York State Broadcasters: Chuck Bolkcom, Jeff Williams, Ellen Schned, Bill Stakelin, Dave Widmer
33 On The Air Spring 2008
Diane and Ned Powell. Ned recently retired after seven years as USO President. The USO as a thank you to broadcasters for airing their public service announcements provided fabulous Callaway shoe bags for every participant in the tournament.
John Gambling
Jim Hughes and Brad Mont of Telerep
Desmonique Bonet of Google and Michaelle Jean Pierre, Esq. Desmonique is a long time tournament volunteer and friend of the foundation. Michaelle worked as an intern for the foundation while attending Pace Law and is a member of the New York and Connecticut Bar.
The persons you see first when arriving at Celebrity Golf, official greeters Brian Stone and Bill Moll. Bill is the former chairman of Clear Channel Television and is the chairman of the USO. Brian is a managing general partner at KnightStone Media, sponsors of the new Power Drive Competition with Nicole Hage
26 On The Air Fall 2008
Long time foundation volunteer and friend Barry O’Brien and his wife Nancy Ryan with what could become the new tournament mascots!
Triton Media Networks President Spencer Brown. Triton and Dial Global sponsored the fore caddies and the golf carts for the tournament
Tiffany McLoughlin of Play Golf designs selling raffle tickets for the set of Nike clubs
Volunteer Dominique Walker of Katz Media Corporation with Matt Becker of the NAB
Mike Sutton of Harris Corporation
27 On The Air Fall 2008
Photos by Wendy
Moger-Bross
On The Air Graphic Designer Jamie Russo of Sir Speedy, Stamford, Connecticut with Gordon Hastings
Kyle Wyatt of the NAB
Jeff Kim of Atlantic Wines and Spirits
Broadcasters Foundation of America Director Bill Moll with Marc Rinaldi and Budd Feuchtwager of
O’Connor Davis Munns and Dobbins
Scott Karnedy of XM-Satellite Radio
28 On The Air Fall 2008
Rick Buckley, Jen Buckley, Jerry Crowley and John Gambling
Anna Rawson and Otis Livingston
Bob Fauser and Rich Doucette
Katz Media Corporation’s Stu Olds with Alan Dick
Arbitron’s Heidi Weaver
Charlie Perrin
29 On The Air Fall 2008
Citadel President Ray Cole
Official tournament photographer Wendy Moger Bross with her associate Nick Gould
Phil Lombardo, Peter Doyle and Bill Hogan
Arbitron’s Rich Tunkel and Media Monitors Joe McCallion
30 On The Air Fall 2008
Gary Star and Nick Verbitsky
Bill Moll, Ed McLaughlin and Bill Stakelin
The Verbitsky’s Paul, Nick and Nick III
Play Golf Design’s Nisha Sadekar with the LPGA’s Anna Rawson
Jeff Williams and Dave Widmer
31 On The Air Fall 2008
Cynthia Coppola of Promo-Focus and Tim McIntyre
Diana Wilkin
Jim Thompson, Spencer Brown and Rick Buckley
Citadel Communications President Ray Cole with Ed Adams and Mike Sutton of Harris Corporation.
Broadcasting & Cable’s Bill McGorry purchasing raffle tickets from Play Golf Design’s Tiffany McLoughlin
32 On The Air Fall 2008
Nicole Hage hosted the first annual Power Drive Competition at Celebrity Golf. Only fifteen golfers hit a drive longer than Nicole on the wide-open sixteenth hole. KnightStone Media and the Norman Knight Foundation sponsored the Power Drive
From the Heineken/Amstel Light USA fore some ,
Francisco Nogrete and George Fornasi
Eight- year tournament volunteer Margaret Hughes of Katz Media Corporation.
Tom O’Brien and Otis Livingston of WNBC-TV
Jim Beloyianis of Katz Media Corporation and Rob Williams of Clear Channel collect their Casa Lapostelle wine prizes in the Beat the Pro Competition with Anna Rawson.
33 On The Air Fall 2008
WOR Radio’s Jen Buckley
Kelly McNeely
Gordon Mott and Gordon Hastings
Lynn Buoniconti and Bonnie Verbitsky
34 On The Air Fall 2008
Scott Knight and Matt Mills
Ann Liguori and Michael Haynes
The Chair Emeritus, the Chair and the President. Ed McLaughlin, Phil Lombardo and Jim Thompson
Stan Gerber of J.L. Media
Desmonique Bonet
35 On The Air Fall 2008
32 On The Air Spring 2008
WNBC-TV HD-4 Tom O’Brien, Bob Harnaga, Bruce Kallner, Otis Livingston
ESPN Radio: Stave Farrell, Greg Buttle, Tim McCarthy, John Amoritis, John Cravens
CBS Radio: Scott Herman, Steve Swenson, Maurice DuBois, Mark Lefkowicz, Stan Gerber
UBS: Alan Kalter, Larry Knowlton, Gina Costello, Arthur Maxwell
SECOND PLACE NET: Harris Corporation: Ed Adams,
Steve Appel, Mike Sutton, Gib Gibson
Media Monitors Joe McCallion, Neal Perchuk, Catherine Crier, Tim McIntyre, Ed Walsh
Buckley Broadcasting: Jerry Crowley, Jen Buckley, Joe Famulare, Spencer Brown, Dave Sammons
Citadel Communications: Ernest Liebre, Pat Murphy, Phil Lombardo, Ray Cole, Bill McGorry.
Broadcasters Foundation of America: Alex Barnet, Lynn Buoniconti, Bonnie Verbitsky, Jamie Russo, Sheila Knight.
Arbitron/CAO: Lung Huang, Rick Tunkel, Dan Malmed, Barry Bennett
38 On The Air Summer 2007
Your Help Literally Saves Lives
Broadcasters Foundation of America
BROADCASTERS FOUNDATION OF AMERICA
A young life and young family devastated by Lou Gehrig’s disease.
This is a tragic story of a young woman and her husband in their late forties with two young children ages nine and eleven. Both enjoyed bright and positive careers in the broadcasting industry in New England. He began his career in 1978 and she in 1983.
Their life was on a wonderful track until 2005 when she was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig’s disease. Her condition rapidly deteriorated. Now forty-eight years old, she has controlled motion in only one finger, is fed intravenously, needs breathing support equipment, and is barely able to speak.
The family has liquidated all of their savings and home equity, and the husband has become his wife’s full-time caregiver with the sole responsibility for the children. There is no longer a source of employment income.
The Broadcasters Foundation of America continues to help this family face these tragic circumstances through both emergency grants and ongoing monthly support.
Your support of the Broadcasters Foundation of America is making a difference in the very survival of this family...
This message was made possible by the McCormick Foundation Journalism Program
The Fabulous Blues Patrol
38 On The Air Fall 2008
The Atlantic Wines and Spirits Reception & The Arbitron
Dinner And Awards Ceremony39 On The Air Fall 2008
We have a winner! Bob Harnaga
LOW GROSS: Neal Kavanagh flanked by Nicole Hage and Anna Rawson accepts awards for tournament low gross 64. Neal represented the Atlantic Wines and Spirits foursome of Ahmad Rashad, John Devin, Marcelo Alcoba, Jeff Kim and Neal
2008 Low Net Champions. The U.S. Trust Bank of America foursome received their awards coming in at a low net of 48. (L-R) Charles Perrin, Mitch Drossman, Nicole Hage, Jeff Blum, Dan McSwiggin, Anna Rawson and Peter Debusschere.
Nicole Hage and Anna Rawson draw the raffle ticket for the
Nike Golf Clubs
40 On The Air Fall 2008
Bob Fauser of Van
Wagner the live auction
winner of Big Smoke
tickets donated by Cigar
Aficionado
Mike Steinberg, Cynthia Coppola, and Mike O’Neill
Kim and Phil Lombardo with Susan and Ray Cole
Karen Finley, David O’Shaughnessy and Gina Costello of UBS
SECOND PLACE NET: Harris Corporation wins second place net with a 49. Shown receiving the awards from Anna Rawson and Nicole Hage are Mike Sutton of Harris, Steve Appel of ION Media and Telerep’s Gib Gibson. Now shown is Harris President Ed Adams
THIRD PLACE NET: (Tiebreak back nine card) United Stations Radio Networks Foursome with a 49. Receiving Quaker Ridge Crest Awards from Nicole and Anna are United Stations President Nick Verbitsky with Bill Hogan. Not shown are foursome members Paul Verbitsky and Nick Verbitsky III
41 On The Air Fall 2008
Maurice DuBois and Otis Livingston
Jerry Crowley
Jim and Cindy Thompson with Bonnie Verbitsky
Ray Karczewski of HRP and Kathleen Keefe of Hearst-Argyle Television
Bill Hogan and Bill McGorry
42 On The Air Fall 2008
Nick and Lynn Buoniconti with UBS’s Craig Walling
Anna Rawson autographing her poster for Quaker Ridge Clubhouse Manager Dan Rogers
Kevin Paige auctions CAO American Humidor containing limited edition CAO
American Anthem Cigars
Desmonique Bonet of Google with
Major Market Radio legend Warner Rush
Tournament volunteers Dominique Walker and Jackie Giblin
43 On The Air Fall 2008
Rick Feinblatt and Matt Mills
Triton Radio Networks Spencer Brown
Broadcasters Foundation of America Directors Dick Foreman, Bill Moll and Nick Verbitsky
Cynthia Coppola
Diane and Ned Powell
The BFOA’s Connie Mc
Kiernan takes
winning auction bid from Media
Monitors Joe
McCallion
44 On The Air Fall 2008
Buckley Broadcasting’s Joe Bilotta Gordon Hastings and Todd Fowler
Broadcasters Foundation of America Director Bill O’Shaughnessy
RAB President Jeff Haley with Skip Finley
BFOA Assistant Treasurer Colleen Gally, Kim Lombardo, Connie Buckley and Susan Cole
Gary Star, Rich Doucette and Scott Karnedy
45 On The Air Fall 2008
Howard Sontag and John Axten
Ann Liguori and Ellen Schned
Heidi Weaver, Lung Huang and Dan Malmed of Arbitron
Warner Rush and his son Rush with Tim McCarthy
of ESPN-Radio
Steve Swenson, General Manager WCBS-Radio, Michael Day of Media Incentives and Creative Travel Planners, and legendary New York television anchor John Roland
46 On The Air Fall 2008
Photos by Wendy
Moger-Bross
Ed Walsh, Catherine Crier, Joe McCallion,
Neal Perchuk
John Cravens with Jim and Cindy Thompson
Ed McLaughlin and Connie Buckley
David and Bill O’Shaughnessy
Nicole Hage and Sheila Knight
Ahmad Rashad with tournament Founding Executive Chair Scott Knight
47 On The Air Fall 2008
Foundation Sets Fund DriveThe Broadcasters Foundation of America has begun its Annual Fund Drive.
“The season for charitable giving is upon us,” said foundation Board Chair Phil Lombardo. “It has always been our policy not to bombard our patrons and contributors with frequent mass mailings throughout the year. Rather, we rely heavily on the generous support of our givers during the 4th quarter just before the holidays to help us sustainthe urgent year-round humanitarian work of the foundation.”
Chairman Lombardo also said: “Even in these challenging times, we’ve seen no lessening of enthusiasm for our Mission from so many generous active and retired broadcasters who always remember us at this time of year.”
The Broadcasters Foundation of America, which grew as a labor of love (and necessity) out of the original Broadcast Pioneers, founded by the legendary H.M. Kaltenborn, provides an emergency safety net for radio and television people – past and present – who, through no fault of their own, have been laid low by the vicissitudes of life.
Since its inception, the Foundation has dispensed over $2,900,000 in emergency grants to 387 of their distressed and hurting colleagues in 33 states. Gifts to the all-important Endowment Fund – both personal and corporate – in recent years have ranged from a very welcome few hundred dollars … to several substantial benefactions of over $50,000.
Individual and Corporate contributions are fully deductible and may be made to the Endowment Fund of the Broadcasters Foundation of America, a certified and registered 501(c)3 Public Charity.
All major Gifts to the Endowment Fund are acknowledged in the Foundation’s Annual Report which is widely distributed to several thousand prominent broadcasters, public officials and regulators all across the nation.
Contributions may be sent to the Foundation at its national office in Greenwich, CT.
Broadcasters Foundation of AmericaEndowment Fund7 Lincoln Avenue
Greenwich, CT 06830203-862-8577
broadcastersfoundation.org
Phil Lombardo
49 On The Air Fall 2008
Peter Smyth And The Bordes Family2009 Golden Mike Award HonoreesMonday, February 23, 2009 Gala At The Waldorf Astoria, New York City
50 On The Air Fall 2008
One of the last remaining great family owned broadcast-ing companies, its Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Peter Smyth and the members of the Bordes family will be presented with the 2009 Broadcasters Foundation of America Golden Mike Award on Monday, February 23, 2009 at a black-tie gala at the Waldorf Astoria in New York City.
From its humble beginnings with a single radio station in Southbridge, Massachusetts, WESO, Greater Media stead-ily and quietly built a broad-based combination of success-ful communications companies, spanning America from coast to coast. By the 1980's, Greater Media's business included radio, cable television, printing, publishing, and telecommunications operations. In 1999, the company sold its cable business in order to focus more exclusively on its radio and newspaper operations.
Today, Greater Media is the parent company of 23 AM and FM radio stations in Boston, Charlotte, Detroit, Philadelphia and New Jersey; as well as a group of weekly newspapers in central New Jersey, and several telecommu-nications towers throughout the United States.
From the beginning, Greater Media and its operating com-panies have stressed the autonomy of local management, dedication to local community service, and leadership in developing and adapting new technology and services to improve media communications.
Peter Smyth joined Greater Media in 1986 as General Manager of WMJX-FM in Boston, and was appointed Vice President/General Manager the following year. He was subsequently promoted to the positions of Senior Vice President/Regional General Manager, Group Vice Presi-dent of Radio, and Chief Operating Officer.
In October 2000, Mr. Smyth was named President and Chief Operating Officer, and in March 2002, was pro-moted to Greater Media's President and Chief Executive Officer. He was named Chairman of the Board in October 2008.
He began his broadcasting career in 1977 as an account executive with WROR-FM in Boston, where Mr. Smyth quickly attained the position of Local Sales Manager.
In 1978, he was promoted to General Sales Manager, a responsibility he held for five years until RKO General, parent company of WROR, recruited him to direct the sales operations of its New York stations. Mr. Smyth served as General Sales Manager at legendary station WOR in New York until his departure in 1986 to work for Greater Media.
Radio Ink Magazine selected him as "America's Best Broadcaster" in 2005. In addition, the publication has featured him as one of the 40 "Most Powerful People in Radio" in 2001, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007and 2008. He was named "Radio Executive of the Year" by the publi-cation in 2007.
Peter currently serves as Chairman of the Radio Adver-tising Bureau's Board of Directors. In addition, he is on the Board of Directors of the National Association of Broadcasters and is a member of the HD Digital Alliance Oversight Committee. Mr. Smyth is also a past president of the New England Media Association.
On a community level, he currently serves on the Board of Directors of the New England Baptist Hospital and the Police Athletic League. Mr. Smyth is a past member of the Board of Trustees of Emerson College and the United Way of Massachusetts. In May of 2007, he received the "Hu-manitarian of the Year" Award from the Hundred Club of Massachusetts.
Peter is a graduate of the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts.
The Greater Media Mission Statement: Greater Media is committed to achieving not only profitability, but also excellence in radio broadcasting and newspaper publishing and printing. We seek to improve the lives of our listeners and readers, and the communities in which they live, by providing great entertainment, useful and timely informa-tion, and charitable services and contributions.
We strive to provide outstanding service and results for our advertisers by being responsive, creative, and col-laborative. Above all, we hope to offer our employees a balance of professional satisfaction and achievement on the one hand, and personal fulfillment and quality of life on the other.
Persons wishing to attend the Golden Mike Award should contact Gordon Hastings at ghhMANAGEMENT, telephone 203-862-8577, 203-661-1476 and [email protected]. Persons may also purchase tickets and tables at broadcastersfoundation.org by clicking on 2009 Golden Mike Award.
51 On The Air Fall 2008
The emcee for the 2009 Golden Mike Awards, Mike Barnicle.
38 On The Air Summer 2007
Your Help Literally Saves Lives
Broadcasters Foundation of America
BROADCASTERS FOUNDATION OF AMERICA
An all too familiar story.
The story of this elderly couple in their late 70s is all too typical of the cases that come to the attention of the Broadcasters Foundation of America. The husband had worked in television until his retirement some 13 years ago.
For several years, they managed to maintain their independence with social security, savings and part time work. Six years ago, the wife was diagnosed with a rare form of kidney cancer. The husband left his part time job and became his wife’s full-time caregiver. They struggled along quietly and independently with no family members able to offer support until all of their resources were completely exhausted.
This situation was brought to the attention of the foundation, which made an immediate emergency grant to keep them in their apartment. The foundation then placed them on a monthly grant which combined with Social Security allows them to meet their monthly living expenses, thus somewhat relieving the day to day financial pressure which they had faced quietly and alone.
Your support of the Broadcasters Foundation of America has placed you by this couple’s side with a helping hand...
This message was made possible by the McCormick Foundation Journalism Program
The Class of 2008 Inducted Into The Broadcasting And Cable Hall Of Fame.
Broadcasting and Cable inducted the 2008 class into the Hall of Fame at a black-tie dinner held at the Waldorf Astoria in New York City on Tuesday evening. October 21. CBS Television News Anchor Katie Couric was the emcee. (L-R) Telemundo’s Don Browne, Twentieth Television’s Bob Cook, Fox News’ Roger Ailes, ESPN’s Herb Granath, Time Warner Cable’s Glenn Britt, Showtime’s Matthew Blank, Hearst-Argyle Television’s David Barrett, Rainbow Media’s Josh Sapin. Not shown are inductees Peggy Green of Zenith Media, NBC Today’s Matt Lauer, The Paley Center for Media’s Pat Mitchell and CBS News’ 60 Minutes. The Broadcasters Foundation of America Endowment Fund is a beneficiary of the proceeds from the dinner along with Cable Positive. Broadcasting & Cable Publisher Larry Dunn is a director of the foundation.
53 On The Air Fall 2008
2009Broadcasters Foundation
of AmericaCharity Golf Tournament
Sunday April 19th 8 A.M.Bali Hai Golf Club, Las Vegas Nevada
Chairs Liz Burns and Dick BodorffFor player positions and sponsorships contact Gordon Hastings, ghhMANAGEMENT, 203-862-8577
20 On The Air Summer 2006
BroadcastersFoundationof America
Endowment Fund
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 CommitteeWilliam O’Shaughnessy, Chair
Phil Beuth, ABC/CapCities (Ret.) Larry Dunn, Publisher, Broadcasting & Cable Erica Farber, Publisher, Radio & Records Richard Ferguson, Cox Radio Richard A. Foreman, Richard A. Foreman Associates Ed McLaughlin, Foundation Chair Emeritus
Call (203) 862-8577 for more information
Your Opportunity To Give Back
Broadcasters Foundation of A
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roadcasters Foundation of A
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The Broadcasters Foundation of America Angel Initiative is entering its fourth year. We are delighted with the number of radio and television broadcasting companies that have made an annual commitment to the mission of the foundation by becoming a Corporate Angel.
The 2008 Angel corporate campaign is your company’s opportunity to join those already making an annual gift to help us insure that no call for help from a fellow broadcaster will go unanswered. The Angel Initiative is the way our industry can take care of its own people in their special time of need. It is all about “giving back.”
The number of requests for help made to the foundation is increasing dramatically. We have no way of accurately predicting what the future demand on our resources will be. The Angel Annual Corporate Giving Initiative is an essential element in our being able to provide critical assistance into the future.
We hope that we can count on you becoming an Angel in 2008. Contact Jim Thompson at 203.862.8577 for further details.
On behalf of all of those whom we serve, thank you for your support.
If you, a friend or a colleague are in need of help, please contact us at: 203-862-8577 or [email protected]
Message From The President
Dear Fellow Broadcasters,
It is my great honor to have recently joined the Broadcasters Foundation of America as the organization’s new president. The BFOA exists to help broadcasting professionals in need. Our work is funded by the continuing generosity of broadcasting industry members, and it will be my job to generate even greater support for our programs and broaden the availability of assistance to fellow broadcasting professionals who have experienced some great misfortune.
I was delighted to see so many longtime friends and associates from television and radio at this year’s BFOA Celebrity Golf Tournament. I only regret that, as BFOA’s newly installed president, I was unable to play, which might well be why the Verbitsky family and Bill Hogan finally finished in the money.
In my 30-year career in broadcasting, I have been fortunate to work “both sides of the aisle” – primarily with Westinghouse -- first in television and then in radio. As a major-market television station general manager for Group W and later as radio group president, I had the pleasure and privilege to work with some of our industry’s most creative
and dynamic leaders. In my later role as a co-founder/principal of Liberty Broadcasting and as a media industry investor, I developed an even deeper appreciation for the power of broadcasting to serve society and impact lives. The work we do at the Broadcasters Foundation of America represents the broadcasting industry at its very best: community-minded people reaching out to help other people.
In February, we will gather in New York to honor our newest Golden Mike Award recipient, Greater Media’s longtime CEO, Peter Smyth. I met Peter for the first time as a competitor in Boston, when he competed against our group’s heritage radio station, WBZ, a Westinghouse dynasty. Peter and Greater Media were tough competitors – but we loved having them in the market because they helped raise radio’s profile and they made everyone else elevate their game. I hope you will make a point of joining us in February to honor a distinguished broadcaster who represents broadcasting at its best.
Our organization’s sole purpose is to help fellow industry professionals and their families at times when they are overwhelmed by a death or illness or other unforeseen crisis.
Worsening economic conditions next year will almost certainly create greater need for our assistance, at the very same time that our many friends and benefactors may be finding it more difficult to write the check. For that reason, I believe it’s imperative that our organization: (1) grow awareness of BFOA beyond our existing industry segments and donor base; (2) enlist support from the thousands of broadcasting industry professionals whose small contributions can represent a significant sum of support collectively; (3) identify additional new funding platforms to complement
the functions and events currently in place and (4) significantly increase the size of BFOA’s endowment to both safeguard and expand the critical assistance we provide. That is some of what I will be working on, and I sincerely hope I can count on your help going forward.
Our organization makes a point of keeping the identities of the people we assist entirely confidential, but I can tell you that the circumstances of their lives are quite dire, their need for help critical. The Broadcasters Foundation of America proudly assists good people who, through no fault of their own, have had something bad happen to them. Our recent outlay of assistance has been considerable, with nearly $3 million dispensed to several hundred people in critical need. If you are a past supporter of our good cause, we need your financial support more than ever. Life just got harder for all of us. If you are just learning about the BFOA, I hope you will consider getting involved in a significant way.
You can help today by becoming a member of BFOA for $150 – easy to do by visiting our website, www.broadcastersfoundation.org. We would certainly appreciate any additional contribution you might be able to make at this time.
To my many friends from my many years in broadcasting – and to those of you I am yet to meet -- let me say this loud and clear. Many of people ask for your help. No organization puts it to more direct, personal and better use than the Broadcasters Foundation of America.
I look forward to being in contact with you in the months ahead.
Sincerely,Jim Thompson, PresidentBroadcasters Foundation of America
64 On The Air Fall 2008
Broadcasters Foundation of America Board of Directors2008-2009
Philip J. LombardoChair
Stu OldsVice Chair
James B. ThompsonPresident
Edward F. McLaughlinChairman Emeritus
Joseph C. AmaturoThe Amaturo Family Foundation, Inc.
David J. BarrettPresident/CEO, Hearst-Argyle Television
Philip R. BeuthCapital Cities, ret.
Del R. BryantPresident/CEO, BMI
Richard D. BuckleyPresident/CEO, Buckley Broadcasting Corp.
Gary R. ChapmanLIN TV Corp., ret.
Edward ChristianPresident/CEO, Saga Communications, Inc.
Larry DunnPublisher, Broadcasting & Cable
Erica FarberPublisher, Radio & Records
Richard FergusonCox Radio, ret.
Joseph M. FieldChairman, Entercom
Skip FinleyVice-Chairman,
ICBC Broadcast Holdings, Inc.
Andrew S. FisherPresident, Cox Television, Inc.
Richard A. ForemanPresident/CEO,
Richard A. Foreman Associates
Alan W. FrankPresident, Post Newsweek Stations, Inc.
Gary Fries, Radio Advertising Bureau, ret.
Ralph GuildChairman, Interep
Wade Hargrove, Esq.Corporate Counsel
Brooks Pierce McLendon Humphrey & Leonard LLP
Thomas P. KanePresident/CEO CBS Television Station Group
Paul KarpowiczPresident/CEO, Meredith Broadcasting Group
N. Scott KnightManaging General Partner,
Knightstone Media
Jerry LeePresident, WBEB-FM
Jerry LevyPresident, JL Media Inc.
Stanley H. MogerPresident/CEO, SFM Entertainment
William G. MollChairman, Clear Channel Television
William O’ShaughnessyChairman, WVOX/WVIP-Whitney Media
Diane Linen PowellChair
Des Plaines Publishing
David RehrPresident/CEO, Nat’l Assoc. of Broadcasters
Joseph ReillyPresident, NYS Broadcasters Association
Jeffrey H. SmulyanChairman/CEO, Emmis Communications
Peter H. SmythPresident/CEO, Greater Media, Inc.
George StephanopoulosChief Washington Correspondent ABC News
Joe UvaCEO, Univision Communications, Inc.
Nicholas J. VerbitskyChairman, United Stations Radio Networks
Ed WilsonPresident/CEO, Tribune Broadcasting Group
Chuck BolkcomPresident
B2B Media, Inc.
Diana WilkinPresident
CBS Television Affiliate Relations
Deborah NorvilleInside Edition
Colleen GallyAssistant Treasurer & CFO
Citadel Communications Company, Ltd.
Board of Directors
Officers
On The Air
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