Condolences: Ed McLaughlin

• We were saddened to learn that Edward F. McLaughlin, the man who founded EFM Media Management and launched Rush Limbaugh into national syndication, died Friday, Jan. 19 in Palm Beach, FL at the age of 91 after a long illness. Just last week it was announced that McLaughlin — the former Chairman of the Broadcasters Foundation who currently held the title of Chairman Emeritus — as the recipient of the 2018 Lifetime Achievement Award at the Golden Mike Award dinner on Monday, March 5. To honor McLaughlin’s legacy, The Broadcasters Foundation of America has now established the Edward F. McLaughlin Memorial Fund to honor this iconic broadcaster.

“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 Dan Mason, Chairman of the Broadcasters Foundation of America. “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.”

McLaughlin founded EFM Media Management in 1987 and syndicated The Dr. Dean Edell Show. Shortly thereafter, he launched the national syndication of Sacramento radio host Rush Limbaugh. During his 14-year tenure at the helm of ABC Radio Networks, McLaughlin acquired American Top 40 with Casey Kasem, launched American Country Countdown with Bob Kingsley, and championed Paul Harvey‘s program to 1,000 affiliates. To donate to the Edward F. McLaughlin Memorial Fund, please visit broadcastersfoundation.org, call 212-373-8250, or email info@thebfoa.org.