JIM THOMPSON

Jim Thompson was an accomplished executive in the radio industry for many decades.

For many years, he was President / CEO of Group W Radio, a company he started his career with at KYW-TV/Philadelphia before joining KYW-AM, as an Account Executive. He became VP / GM of KYW-TV, before becoming President of Group W Radio. During his tenure as President, the company was the second-largest radio company in the country. Later, he co-owned Liberty Broadcasting, a 19-radio station group. Thompson created the Radio-Mercury Awards, an industry wise effort which recognizes creative commercial work in radio with annual awards.

He served on the boards of the Radio Advertising Bureau (RAB) 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.

In 2009, Thompson assumed leadership of the Broadcasters Foundation, a charitable organization providing necessary financial support to Radio and TV professionals in need.  The organization increased their ability to help fellow broadcasters, growing it’s ability to do so under Thompson’s leadership from $400,000 per year to nearly $2.0 million per year.  

In 2022, Jim Thompson received a Legends induction into the Radio Hall of Fame.