The late Jim Thompson, who lost his valiant struggle against throat cancer last August at the age of 75, has been named this year’s recipient of the TALKER S magazine Sharon L. Harrison Memorial Award for Outstanding Community Service by a Broadcaster – also referred to as the “Humanitarian of the Year” award. Thompson served successfully as the president of the Broadcasters Foundation of America between 2009
and 2022 guiding the charitable organization to more than quadruple the amount of financial aid it distributes to radio and TV professionals in acute need from $400,000 to nearly $2 million last year. “I am very proud to have known Jim for nearly 40 years as a colleague and a friend,” said Scott Herman, chairman of the Broadcasters Foundation. “Jim believed deeply in helping others and his passion and enthusiasm for life always lit up a room. He always saw the positive in every person and every situation.” Prior to his service to the industry as president of the BFoA, Thompson had been president and CEO of Group W Radio, the second largest radio company in the country during his leadership, and along with Mike Craven was co-owner of Liberty Broadcasting, a 19-station radio group concentrated on the East Coast. He began his broadcasting career as an account executive at KYW-TV, Philadelphia in 1971, where he rose to vice president and general manager. An innovator and visionary, Thompson created the Radio-Mercury Awards to encourage and reward excellence in radio creative. He served on the boards of the Radio Advertising Bureau and the Advertising Council, was vice chairman of the Pennsylvania State Broadcasters Association and a member of numerous committees, including the NAB Radio Futures Committee. A member of the U.S. Army, Thompson served in Vietnam. The presentation will be made by talk show host Harry Hurley of WPG, Atlantic City at TALKERS 2023 on Friday, June 2 at Hofstra University on Long Island.
The Humanitarian of the Year honor is one of four awards presented annually by TALKERS at its annual national conference. The others set for this year include the Freedom of Speech award to Tavis Smiley of KBLA Talk 1580, Los Angeles; the Woman of the Year award to Martha Zoller of WDUN, Gainesville, GA; and the award for Lifetime Achievement to Kraig T. Kitchin of Sound Mind, LLC. All three will be in attendance to make their acceptances. Jim Thompson’s award will be accepted by Broadcasters Foundation of America president Tim McCarthy.
TALKERS 2023 is nearing an advance sellout. See more about the agenda, registration, sponsorship and hotel information here.