He is widely recognized for discovering the late Rush Limbaugh, which helped in the revitalization of AM radio stations across the 1990s, and was once the President of the ABC Radio Networks.
Now, the Broadcasters Foundation of America is renaming its annual Lifetime Achievement Award to honor him some five years after his passing.
Introducing the Edward F. McLaughlin Lifetime Achievement Award, in honor of the iconic broadcaster, who passed away in 2018.
A broadcasting visionary, McLaughlin passed away on January 18, 2018, at a hospice in Palm Beach, Fla. He was 91. McLaughlin was to be honored with the 2018 Lifetime Achievement Award at the Broadcasters Foundation of America’s Golden Mike Award dinner.
Widely known as the man who launched Rush Limbaugh into syndication, McLaughlin founded EFM Media Management in 1987 and syndicated The Dr. Dean Edell Show. In addition, he’d served as chairman of the Broadcasters Foundation of America for seven years, and served as General Manager of KGO in San Francisco.
As previously announced, this year’s award will be presented to Richard Wiley during the Golden Mike Award gala on Monday, March 6, at the Plaza Hotel in New York.
“Ed was known as a leader and innovator,” said Broadcasters Foundation Chairman Scott Herman. “He recognized talent and daringly pushed forth new ideas that propelled network and AM radio forward. It’s fitting that the Lifetime Award be named in his honor.”
As president of the ABC Radio Networks, McLaughlin implemented the multi-network concept, obtained the first exclusive live network radio rights to the Olympic Games, and acquired programs such as American Top 40 and American Country Countdown with Bob Kingsley.
“Ed was a champion for the broadcast industry and the mission of the Broadcasters Foundation,” said Tim McCarthy, President of the Broadcasters Foundation. “He was admired for his entrepreneurship and respected for his forward-looking vision. This is one way we honor his memory.”
McLaughlin was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in 1995 and received the National Association of Broadcasters’ National Radio Award in 1996. McLaughlin was also a trustee of The Paley Center for Media.
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 [email protected].
