BFoA Launches “12 Days of Giving” Campaign
The Broadcasters Foundation of America launches a social media campaign today (12/11) “12 Days of Giving.” Each day features a different message, ranging from thank you notes from grant recipients to
positive statements about radio, television, and charitable giving. BFoA president Tim McCarthy says, “We need to reach radio and television professionals across every channel at our disposal ‘The 12 Days of Giving Social Media Campaign’ is a great way to raise funds and awareness of our mission, especially among junior-level people in broadcasting.” The BFoA has distributed more than $15 million dollars in aid over the past 20 years. This year, the Foundation will award approximately $1.8 million. More information about the Broadcasters Foundation, including how to make a donation or apply for aid, is available at broadcastersfoundation.org.
The Broadcasters Foundation of America announces that Jordan Wertlieb, executive vice president and chief operating officer of Hearst is the 2024 recipient of the Broadcasters Foundation of America Golden Mike Award. The award will be presented during a black-tie fundraiser on March 4, 2024, at the Plaza Hotel in New York City. Wertlieb says, “I am honored by this recognition from the Board of the Broadcasters Foundation. The Broadcasters Foundation’s mission is to provide financial aid to our colleagues whose lives have been impacted by illness, accident, or natural disaster. I am committed to helping those in need and grateful to all who support this important organization.”
deductible donations to the Guardian Fund. Corporate donations can be given to the Angel Initiative, which is also tax deductible. BFoA chairman Scott Herman states, “Life can change in a heartbeat, and exorbitant medical bills can leave one of our colleagues in broadcasting in desperate need of assistance. I’m asking everyone in radio and television to consider a donation, in any amount, so that we can continue to provide assistance to those in our industry who need it most.” 
Greenwich Country Club. The Sips & Tips includes a two-hour golf lesson from a pro followed by access to the invitation-only reception and dinner and costs $300. BFoA president Tim McCarthy comments, “With these events, we open doors for junior professionals that can lead to long and fulfilling careers in broadcasting. We also bring awareness about our charitable mission to tomorrow’s broadcast leaders, helping to ensure that the Foundation will continue to provide aid for those in our business who need it most.” 
professionals in need from debilitating illness, accident, or disaster. BFoA chair Scott Herman says, “It’s hard to believe our friend and colleague left us a year ago. A true leader and exceptional human being, Jim helped everyone all the time. That’s the kind of person he was. I am proud to have known Jim for nearly 40 years as a colleague and a friend. He is sorely missed.” Thompson’s career included president and CEO of Group W Radio and co-owner of Liberty Broadcasting. He created the Radio Mercury Awards and served on the boards of the Radio Advertising Bureau and the Advertising Council and was vice chair of the Pennsylvania State Broadcasters Association. Upon Thompson’s passing, the Broadcasters Foundation created The Jim Thompson Memorial Fund, which remains open in his honor. 
qualify for aid knows about its charitable mission and can apply. BFoA president Tim McCarthy adds, “Giving Day is an opportunity for everyone in radio and television to help our colleagues. As broadcasters, we are storytellers. Whether behind the scenes in marketing, sales, or administration, part of the production team, or on-air talent, everyone in the radio and television broadcasting profession has a common goal: to share vital stories with their communities. But who is there to help these essential community members when a natural disaster strikes, or an illness disrupts a family’s financial security and safety? The Broadcasters Foundation of America’s unique mission is to support our professional community during these hard times, when our colleagues are unable to work and struggling to pay basic living expenses.” 
opportunity to mix and mingle not only with their peers, but with talent, managers, and executives; and to increase their awareness of the Broadcasters Foundation charitable mission.” BFoA president Tim McCarthy adds, “We’re very excited about this new initiative. It’s imperative that we reach the next generation of broadcast industry leaders with our message of help and hope, while giving them an opportunity to network with higher level professionals who they may not otherwise have an opportunity to meet.” The two-hour event is free, but space is limited, and advance registration is required. 
fundraiser is the BFoA’s second largest annual fundraiser. Comerford says, “The Broadcasters Foundation is the only charity devoted exclusively to providing aid to our colleagues in broadcasting who are in dire need. For me, chairing the Celebrity Golf Tournament is an opportunity to give back.” BFoA president Tim McCarthy comments, “We’re grateful that Frank is donating his time and leadership to this year’s Celebrity Golf Tournament. The Celebrity Golf Tournament brings in a significant amount of the much-needed dollars we need to continue to help our colleagues who have fallen on tragic circumstances and need our help.”
BFoA chairman Scott Herman says, “Chad and Heather are exceptional broadcast industry leaders, and they are a terrific addition to our board of directors. I look forward 
to working with them to continue our mission of helping broadcasters in dire need.” Chad Lopez has more than 25 years of experience in broadcast and digital media. Prior to joining Red Apple Media, he served as vice president of Cumulus Media’s New York cluster. In addition to her work at the Weiss Agency, Heather Cohen serves on the Alliance for Women in Media and its foundation board of directors, has co-chaired the Gracie Awards since 2016, and most recently was appointed president of the executive board of Hofstra University’s Alumni Organization. 
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.
chairman Scott Herman says, “Jim made an impact on everyone who worked for or with him. He was always helping people in their careers and served as a mentor to many. His steadfast commitment to the mission of the Broadcasters Foundation was unwavering. It is fitting for us to honor his memory and contributions to our industry and the Broadcasters Foundation.” Thompson took the reins of the Broadcasters Foundation in 2008, following a distinguished career. He was 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 nineteen-station radio group. He began his broadcasting career as an account executive at KYW-TV, Philadelphia in 1971, where he rose to VP and general manager.
innovation, community service, advocacy, and entrepreneurship. Mason will be presented with the award at the Broadcasters Foundation Breakfast at the NAB Show on Wednesday, April 19 at the Wynn, Las Vegas. Mason comments, “I’m honored to be recognized by the Broadcasters Foundation, a charity that I believe in very much. I’ve been so fortunate in many ways, and the opportunity to support the Foundation’s mission as its chairman, was one way of giving back to this industry that has given me so much.” Current BFoA chairman Scott Herman says, “I worked with Dan for many years at CBS, and I am proud to call him a friend, colleague, and mentor. Dan is a great leader and a true champion for radio. It is our privilege to honor him.”
Television Bureau of Advertising; Rush Limbaugh, radio host and political commentator, deceased, award accepted by his widow Kathryn Limbaugh; Debra O’Connell, president, networks, The Walt Disney Company; Deborah Parenti, president/publisher, Radio Ink/RBR+TVBR; and Heidi Raphael, chief communications officer, Beasley Media Group. The Broadcasters Foundation will also present the Lowry Mays Excellence in Broadcasting Award during the Breakfast. That honoree will be announced shortly. The Broadcasters Foundation Breakfast is complimentary to all in broadcasting. Registration is required, call 212-373-8250 or email 
Herman says, “We’re delighted to have such prestigious presenters at this year’s Golden Mike Award dinner. We’re looking forward to Rosanna and Jeff’s contributions to our program and thank them for lending us their time and talent, as broadcasters come together to honor Jack and Dick.” BFoA president Tim McCarthy adds, “The Golden Mike Award gala is one of our biggest fundraisers. We’ve seen an incredible uptick in requests for aid, and we thank everyone who has bought a table or ticket. The funds allow the Foundation to continue providing aid to hard-working individuals in our industry who have fallen on very challenging times due to illness or disaster.” For more information or to reserve a seat or table at the Golden Mike Award gala and fundraiser, please contact the Broadcasters Foundation at 212-373-8250 or 
provide aid to radio and television professionals in acute need. BFoA president Tim McCarthy says, “We’re very excited to have Soledad host this year’s Golden Mike Award dinner. She is a multiple award-winning broadcast journalist whose reporting has brought awareness on numerous issues to the forefront. Combined with her philanthropic endeavors, she is the perfect person to host our special evening.” This year’s BFOA Golden Mike Award honoree is Jack Abernethy, CEO of FOX Television Stations. The Lifetime Achievment Award will be presented during the gala frundraiser to Richard E. Wiley, former chairman, commissioner, and general counsel of the Federal Communications Commission and one of the most prominent media and telecommunications lawyers in broadcasting.
Scott Herman says, “Dick’s commitment to fight for our industry in Washington has given broadcasters the opportunity to grow their business. His strong belief in our industry has extended to his support of the mission of the Broadcasters Foundation to help those in our business who need it most. We are honored to present him with the Lifetime Achievement Award.” Wiley comments, “I am honored to receive this Lifetime Achievement Award from the Broadcasters Foundation. Since arriving at the FCC more than 50 years ago and co-founding our DC law firm almost 40 years ago, it’s been a privilege to work with broadcasters on landmark innovations including the development of high-definition TV. I’m proud to be a part of this great industry’s evolution, and to support the Foundation’s mission of providing a critical safety net for members of the broadcast profession.” The annual Golden Mike Award gala is a major fundraiser for the Broadcasters Foundation, the only charity devoted exclusively to helping broadcasters in acute need. For information, or to reserve a seat or table at the Golden Mike Award gala and fundraiser, please contact the Broadcasters Foundation at 212-373-8250 or 
