(Nashville, Tenn. – Nov. 13, 2014) – This February, the Country Radio Broadcasters will present Jeff Smulyan with the 2015 Tom Rivers Humanitarian Award during the opening ceremonies of Country Radio Seminar 2015.
The Tom Rivers Humanitarian Award is given at the discretion of the Country Radio Broadcasters Board of Directors to recognize an individual in the Country Radio industry who has displayed a magnanimous spirit of caring and generosity in service to their community. This award is named in honor of CRB Board member Tom Rivers, who died in 2004 at age 38 of bronchial asthma. Rivers, known for his work at WQYK, Tampa/St. Petersburg and WUSN, Chicago, was highly regarded for his public service.
Jeff Smulyan is Founder and Chairman of the Board of Emmis Communications Corporation, which owns country powerhouses WLHK Hank FM in Indianapolis, and WTHI The River in Terre Haute, which was the highest rated radio station in the country in 2011.
Widely recognized as one of the most visionary leaders in the radio industry, Smulyan is a former director of the National Association of Broadcasters and former Chairman of the Radio Advertising Bureau. He served as past chair of the Central Indiana Corporate Partnership, a consortium of CEOs from central Indiana’s largest corporations, and sits on the Board of Trustees of his alma mater, the University of Southern California. In 1994, Smulyan was named by The White House to head the U.S. Delegation to the Plenipotentiary Conference of the International Telecommunications Union. He has been inducted in the Broadcasting & Cable Hall of Fame and the Indiana Business Hall of Fame. Smulyan’s leadership recognition has earned him several awards. Most recently, we was named a “Giant of Broadcasting” by the Library of American Broadcasting.
CRS Executive Director Bill Mayne comments, “Jeff Smulyan epitomizes the definition of the Tom Rivers Humanitarian award. His commitment to broadcasting, service to community, and personal giving is recognized across our industry. It is our privilege to recognize his accomplishments in this arena.”
Jeff Smulyan has supported numerous community organizations, including the Indianapolis Hebrew Congregation, the Bureau of Jewish Education (the Smulyan/Stolkin Education Center), Beth El Zedeck (Smulyan Lecture Series, whose speakers have included Bill Clinton and Al Gore), North Central High School, Academy Plus, Cathedral High School (the Smulyan Family Theatre), the Indianapolis Zoo (Samantha Smulyan Slash Zone), the International School, United Way, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Planned Parenthood, the Broadcasters Foundation, his alma mater, USC, and a host of other important Indiana-based organizations. He is currently working with Ball State, the Indianapolis Zoo, the Orchard School and Big Brother/Big Sisters on further gifts.
He was on the Host committee for Indianapolis’ successful Super Bowl bid (2012), and led fundraising efforts at the Humane Society, Indianapolis Arts Council, Fairbanks Hospital, PlayBall Indiana and the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Under Smulyan’s direction, Emmis has contributed millions through cash and in-kind donations, sponsorships and other fundraising efforts. Indianapolis Monthly supports the Christamore House (annual book and author event; Heather Smulyan, Jeff’s wife, is also a member of the Christamore guild), the St. Margaret Guild (annual Decorator Show House, in support of Eskanazi Hospital), the American Heart Association (in conjunction with Emmis-Indy Radio) and a host of others. Emmis-Indy Radio (WIBS, HANK FM, THE FAN and B105.7) supports numerous community efforts, including the Salvation Army’s Radiothon, which is now in its 17th year.
The CRB Artist Humanitarian Award was created in 1990 by the organization’s board to honor those Country music artists who have exhibited exceptional humanitarian efforts during their career.
About Country Radio Seminar: Country Radio Seminar is an annual convention designed to educate and promote the exchange of ideas and business practices in the Country music industry, with specific emphasis on issues relevant to Country radio. CRS 2015 will be held Feb. 25-27, 2015. Visit www.CountryRadioSeminar.com for more information. Like CRS on Facebook and follow CRS on Twitter (Hashtag #CRS2015).
Jeff Smulyan
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