Remembering Jim Thompson
• It is with great sadness that the Broadcasters Foundation of America shares the news of the passing of its longtime President and beloved broadcaster Jim Thompson. Thompson, who fought a valiant struggle against throat cancer for nearly a year, passed away Sunday night, Aug. 14 in Summit, NJ, at the age of 75, surrounded by his family.
Thompson took over the reins of the Broadcasters Foundation in 2009, guiding the charitable organization to more than quadruple the amount of financial aid it distributes to Radio and TV professionals from $400,000 to nearly $2 million last year. Last October, Thompson announced he would be retiring at the end of 2022.
“I’m 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. Broadcasting has lost a great man, who always saw the positive in every person and every situation. He will be sorely missed.”
“When the Board of Directors was searching for a President, Jim’s reputation as a leader combined with his compassion for others and his ability to rally people together made him the perfect choice,” stated Phil Lombardo, Chairman Emeritus of the Broadcasters Foundation. “His accomplishments over the past 13 years helped the many TV and Radio professionals who found themselves in unthinkable circumstances and in need of aid. Our sincere sympathies go out to his family.”
NAB President & CEO Curtis LeGeyt stated, “Jim Thompson’s illustrious career in broadcasting and legacy of service to the industry had a resounding impact. His boundless generosity and passionate leadership of the Broadcasters Foundation helped countless broadcasters overcome adversity and persevere in their darkest moments. NAB extends our deepest condolences to Jim’s family and all whose lives he touched.”
Thompson began his broadcasting career in 1971 as an account executive at KYW-TV/Philadelphia, working his way up to VP/GM. He went on to become President & 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. An innovator and visionary, Thompson created the Radio Mercury Awards, and 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.
Thompson is survived by his wife Cindy, his five children: Meghan Cima, Shannon Gardiner and her husband James, Katie McElwee and her husband Tommy, James Thompson and his wife Madison, Molly Thompson, seven grandchildren, and his brothers John and Thomas.
The Thompson family has requested that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to The Jim Thompson Memorial Fund, which has been established by the Broadcasters Foundation in honor of Thompson’s dedication and service to the broadcasting industry and to the Foundation’s charitable cause of providing financial aid to Radio and TV professionals in acute need.
