 |
| Jim Farley |
According to the Washington Business Journal, the evening's tone was mostly flattering to Farley's contributions and accomplishments, but not without a jab or two from his staff.
Farley told the audience he has gotten credit over the years for many things he didn't do.
"Mostly what I do is sit in my office and play solitaire. That's what I do on my computer," said Farley.
Farley, who came to WTOP as news director in 1996, has shepherded the radio station through three ownerships and overseen programming changes that took the station from No. 14 in the Washington market's rankings to the consistently top-rated radio station, and has more than tripled its listenership.
His accomplishments have included persuading its owners to reinvest profits — and they have been large — back into newsroom operations, expanding regional coverage of news and improving ratings by pouncing on audience-grabbing events, like snow.
Farley also oversaw the station's transition from the AM dial to FM, a first among all-news stations, boosting its following among young listeners.
Farley's trademarks that are more apparent to listeners include coining familiar phrases, including "the glass-enclosed nerve center" and "Your favorite radio station doesn't play songs," both aimed at making the station memorable in the minds of listeners with ratings diaries.
Before moving to Washington, Farley spent two decades at ABC- and NBC-owned radio network operations in New York, and started his career as a copyboy at New York City's all-news radio station WINS.
Farley officially retires at the end of December, but will remain a consultant for two years after his retirement.
Read More Now
No comments:
Post a Comment