Chachi Loves Everybody

Ep. 39 Tim McCarthy

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February 23, 2023 6:05pm

1h 3m

EPISODE SUMMARY: Tim McCarthy is an award-winning GM and former SVP of ESPN radio. McCarthy shares his journey in talk and sports radio, and his experiences working with top talent and inking major deals as Tim and Chachi sit down for a chat!

On this episode of Chachi Loves Everybody, Chachi talks to Tim about:

  1. How he got into radio by being a driver for an executive
  2. Getting his foot in the door as an account exec at PLJ and excelling early on
  3. Why selling on talk stations can be easier than on music stations
  4. Becoming a station manager and working with talent like Sean Hannity and Rush Limbaugh
  5. Being chosen to head ESPN Radio in NYC and acquiring rights to multiple franchises including The Islanders, Rangers, and Knicks
  6. How he was able to use both his sales and programming experience to improve his stations
  7. Negotiation tips and how to ensure everyones walks away winning something
  8. What being the SVP of ESPN Radio was everyonelike as a sports fan and getting to talk with Bob Iger
  9. His current work as President of the Broadcasters Foundation of America and how the BFA provides support to people in the industry 

And more!

To support the Broadcasters Foundation of America or learn more, visit: https://broadcastersfoundation.org

Information about events like the Golden Mike Gala, Lombardo Charity Golf Tournament, and Leadership Breakfast can be found here: https://broadcastersfoundation.org/events/

ABOUT THIS EPISODE'S GUEST: Tim McCarthy joined the Disney Group of radio stations in 1990 serving first as an Account Executive with WPLJ-FM, moving across the hall three years later to become Sales Director for both 77WABC and WPLJ. McCarthy became General Manager for legendary News/Talk station 77WABC in 1999 and presided over the acquisition and start up of 1560 AM Radio Disney. He held the dual roles of GM for 77WABC and 1050 ESPN Radio. In 2010, he was named Sr. Vice President of ESPN Radio Group in February 2010 where he drivo the play-by-play business by assessing contracts, increasing revenue and working towards maximizing scheduling opportunities across the stations and network. Among McCarthy’s many industry honors: 2006 News/Talk GM of the Year from Radio & Records; and his selection as one of the nation’s 10 best managers by Radio Ink Magazine in 2005. McCarthy served as Chairman for the 2007 New York State Broadcasters Association.

In 2021, he shifted his focus and efforts to raise charitable donations and develop solutions for former broadcasters who experience hardship due to no fault of their own. Many of the worthy beneficiaries of the Broadcasters Foundation of America receive monthly grants to emergency assistance for relief from natural disasters like hurricanes or floods.

ABOUT THE PODCAST: Chachi Loves Everybody is brought to you by Benztown and hosted by the President of Benztown, Dave “Chachi” Denes. Get a behind-the-scenes look at the myths and legends of the radio industry.

PEOPLE MENTIONED: Scott Herman, Jim O’Grady, Mitch Dolan, Scott Shannon, Rod Stewart, Bob Grant, Sean Hannity, Rush Limbaugh, John Gambling, Mark Simone, Mark Levin, Charlton Heston, Bob Iger, Michael Kay, John Mcenroe, Wallace Matthews, Tom Keegan, Stephen A. Smith, Traug Keller, Greg Ashlock, Larry Kahn, John Barton, Steve Haddad, Jim Thompson, Ed Mcloughlin

ABOUT BENZTOWN: Benztown is a leading international audio imaging, production library, voiceover, programming, podcasting, and jingle production company with over 3,000 affiliations on six different continents. Benztown provides audio brands and radio stations of all formats with end-to-end imaging and production, ma