BFA Launches Edward F. McLaughlin Memorial Fund

RADIO ONLINE | Sunday, January 21, 2018

Edward F. McLaughlin

The Broadcasters Foundation has established the Edward F. McLaughlin Memorial Fund to honor the iconic broadcaster who died on Friday at the age of 91 in Palm Beach, FL. McLaughlin was at the helm of ABC Radio Network for many years and is widely recognized as the man who discovered Rush Limbaugh, which helped lead to the revitalization of AM Radio and the News/Talk format. McLaughlin was a longtime Chairman of the Broadcasters Foundation and held the title of Chairman Emeritus at the time of his passing. Earlier this week, the Broadcasters Foundation announced McLaughlin as the recipient of the 2018 Lifetime Achievement Award.

"The Board of Directors and I are saddened at this tremendous loss to our industry and grateful for Ed's years of service to the Broadcasters Foundation," stated Broadcasters Foundation of America Chairman Dan Mason. "Ed believed in giving back to the profession that he loved and helping those among us who need it the most."

William O'Shaughnessy, Chairman of Whitney Global Media and a Board member of the Broadcasters Foundation noted, "Ed was a great raconteur who often held court at the '21' bar where he did a lot of business entertaining out-of-town affiliates."

During his 14-year tenure at the helm of ABC Radio Networks, McLaughlin guided the expansion of long-form programming, acquiring American Top 40 with Casey Kasem, launching American Country Countdown with Bob Kingsley and championing Paul Harvey's program to reach 1,000 affiliates. His ABC Radio stable of personalities included the legendary Chicago newscaster and national commentator Paul Harvey.

Richard A. Foreman, station broker and Chief Executive Officer of RAF Media, who was an ABC Radio Network colleague, added, "Ed really resurrected network radio in the early 80's. And he moved talk radio to the forefront of an industry populated by stations that resembled jukeboxes with their cacophony of various music formats. He saw that stations could make people think ... not just entertain them."

To donate to the Edward F. McLaughlin Memorial Fund, please visit www.broadcastersfoundation.org or email info@thebfoa.org.