Jeff SMULYAN

Jeffrey Smulyan serves as founder, CEO and Chairman of Emmis Communications. Under his leadership over 40+ years, the company purchased and operated radio stations including WENS-FM in Indianapolis, WLOL-FM in Minneapolis, KSHE-FM in St. Louis, KPWR-FM in Los Angeles, WQHT-FM and WHN-AM which became WFAN-AM in New York and WAVA in Washington D.C., making Emmis the largest privately owned radio broadcasting company in America.

Later, the company added more radio stations in Boston, San Francisco, Chicago and Austin, and became a publicly traded company. At one time, Emmis Communications also owned 15 television stations, six monthly city/regional magazines, in addition to more than 20 radio stations. Emmis was named one of Fortune Magazine’s 100 Best Companies to Work For due to its vibrant, collaborative culture.

Jeff Smulyan has led the radio industry in a multitude of ways, including a successful effort to capitalize on the emerging use of cellular phones as a way to listen to radio stations. He’s been recognized with every industry award and distinction by industry associations for his leadership and collaboration. He served as a former chairperson of the Radio Advertising Bureau, was recognized as a Giant of Broadcasting by the Library of American Broadcasting, received the National Association of Broadcasters National Radio Award, and was inducted in the Broadcasting & Cable Hall of Fame and the Indiana Business Hall of Fame. The Broadcasters Foundation honored him with its Golden Mike Award. 

In 2017, he received the Lowry Mays Excellence in Broadcasting Award from the Broadcasters Foundation of America.

In 2022, Jeff Smulyan was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame.