7-17-13
(By Ed Ryan)
Jim Thompson, also known as ?The Mayor,? has had an outstanding broadcast career, one that continues to this day. Thompson, currently president of the Broadcasters Foundation of America, started his broadcasting run in television in 1971, as an AE at WJZ-TV. His TV career would include GSM, NSM, and VP and GM posts at KYW in Philadelphia. Thompson made the jump to radio in 1989 when he took the job as president and CEO of Group W Radio, which at the time was the largest non-network station group and the second-largest radio company in the United States. Group W had all-News radio stations in New York, Philadelphia, Chicago, and Los Angeles, as well as AOR, Country, and AC formats in major markets. After spending three years as president of Westinghouse Radio, Thompson and partner Mike Craven launched Liberty Broadcasting. That company started with one station, heritage Long Island Rocker WBAB, but within a few short years, it had grown to 19 stations. Liberty was purchased by Bob Sillerman?s SFX in 1996.
Craven says his close friend Jim Thompson is as genuine as they get. ?He?s honest, and he?s very loyal to those he considers friends. His job at the Broadcasters Foundation is made much easier by the fact that he relates to people. And the environment he?s operating in is successful because Jim Thompson is there doing it. People are willing to listen to him, and they contribute because of his character and his honesty. The Broadcasters Foundation is much better off today because Jim Thompson is there.? When Thompson was knee-deep in radio, he says the industry was taking in $20 billion a year of real money. And, while he says he would definitely be willing to get back into radio ownership, his primary focus now is on helping broadcasters through the Broadcasters Foundation.
Greater Media Chairman/CEO Peter Smyth says, ?Jim Thompson is truly a class act. His commitment to the
women and men of the radio industry is unparalleled. He is radio?s true ambassador ? a kind, caring, and dedicated leader. I cannot think of a more appropriate person to receive the Lifetime Leadership Award than Jim. Our industry is better because of people like Jim Thompson.?
Broadcasters, like every other segment of society, experience hard times. A lost job. An illness that requires expensive medical care. An unexpected life tragedy. Thompson?s job is to find those broadcasters and help them. He?s set a goal of giving out $1 million in one year to those in need. In order to do that, he?ll need to spend a lot of time raising money and expend a lot of effort finding those broadcasters who need help. Richard A. Foreman Associates President Richard Foreman says of his friend, ?If it?s true that in the end we?re all judged by the level we give back ? helping others ? then Jim Thompson has provided us all with a path to follow. His caring and dedication to the Broadcasters Foundation of America, and total commitment to those it serves, is exemplary.?
Congratulate Jim for being named the 2013 Radio Ink Lifetime Leadership Award Winner jim@thebfoa.org
You can read our full interview with Thompson in the July issue of Radio Ink Magazine which also features the 40 Most Powerful People in Radio. To subscribe to the Radio Ink digital editon, which you can download to your device immediately, GO HERE. To subscribe to the print edition GO HERE or call Sue at 561-655-8778.
(7/18/2013 11:13:50 PM)
I've known Jim for probably 30 years. Back to the Group W days. And I've been involved with him at the Foundation for a long time. Jim is one of the gems of our industry, and he deserves all the praise he's getting. He and Carl Butrum run a great organization, and I'm proud to count him as a friend. Bravo!
(7/18/2013 11:18:47 AM)
A great, well deserved and long overdue recognition of one of the icons of our business. For all who know him, there is no more genuine human being willing to offer help, advise, assistance and friendship than Jim.....Congrats
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