Ep. 36 Jeff Smulyan

EPISODE SUMMARY: Jeff Smulyan is the Founder and Chairman of Emmis Communications. He is a former director of the NAB, former chair of the RAB, and former owner of the Seattle Mariners. Smulyan shares the ups and downs of being an entrepreneur and how he got into (and out of) broadcasting as Jeff and Chachi sit down for a chat! 

On this episode of Chachi Loves Everybody, Chachi talks to Jeff Smulyan about:

Growing up in Indianapolis and his family history thereHow he founded Emmis and got into radio and broadcasting, and why Emmis is divestingHis current ventures such as Digonex which provides dynamic pricing solutions and Lencore Sound Masking.Creating The Fan sports radio and being ahead of his time with the all sports formatJeff’s take on the current state of the economy and politicsBuying the Mariners and what it was like to own an MLB teamHow Jeff and Emmis survived the recession without going bankruptAdvice on how to make deals and be an entrepreneur

And more!

ABOUT THIS EPISODE'S GUEST: Jeff Smulyan is the Founder and Chairman of Emmis Communications. He is a former director of the NAB, former chair of the RAB, and former owner of the Seattle Mariners. He has received numerous awards and recognitions for his work in broadcasting. His book, Never Ride a Roller Coaster Upside Down, is available to order here.

ABOUT THE PODCAST: Chachi Loves Everybody is brought to you by Benztown and hosted by the President of Benztown, Dave “Chachi” Denes. Get a behind-the-scenes look at the myths and legends of the radio industry.

PEOPLE MENTIONED: Ebro, Big Boy, Rick Cummings, Woody, Mike Francesa, Ken Griffey Jr., Jimmy Steele, David Letterman, Steve Smith, Lew and John Dickey, Greg Loewen, Dave, Beasing, Steve Crane, Doyle Rose, Greg Gumbel, John Dille, Mad Dog Russo, Imus in the morning, Jay Buhner, Peter Chernin, Jerry Reinsdorf, Mel Karmazin, Craig Karmazin, Norm Pattis, George Argyros, Greg Nathanson, David Rehr, Victor Orban, Paul Fiddick, Bill Kennard, Ryan Hornaday, Scott Enright , Evan Bayh, Jeff Warshaw, Deborah Parenti

ABOUT BENZTOWN: Benztown is a leading international audio imaging, production library, voiceover, programming, podcasting, and jingle production company with over 3,000 affiliations on six different continents. Benztown provides audio brands and radio stations of all formats with end-to-end imaging and production, making high-quality sound and world-class audio branding a reality for radio stations of all market sizes and budgets. Benztown was named to the prestigious Inc. 5000 by Inc. magazine for five consecutive years as one of America’s Fastest-Growing Privately Held Companies. With studios in Los Angeles, New York, London and Stuttgart, Benztown offers the highest quality audio imaging work parts for 23 libraries across 14 music and spoken word formats including AC, Hot AC, CHR, Country, Hip Hop and R&B, Rhythmic, Classic Hits, Rock, News/Talk, Sports, and JACK. Benztown provides custom VO and imaging across all formats, including commercial VO and copywriting in partnership with Yamanair Creative. Benztown Radio Networks produces, markets, and distributes high-quality programming and services to radio stations around the world, including: The Rick Dees Weekly Top 40 Countdown, The Daily Dees Show, The Todd-N-Tyler Radio Empire, Hot Mix, Sunday Night Slow Jams with R Dub!, Flashback, Top 10 Now, AudioLogger, Audio Architecture, Radio Merch Shop, The Rooster Show Prep, AmeriCountry, and Benztown Swag Bank. Benztown + McVay Media Podcast Networks produces and markets premium podcasts including: The Making of: A National Geographic Podcast, Run It Again, Hot Chicken and Cage-Free Conversation with Byron Kennedy, and Edelman Financial Engines’ Everyday Wealth.

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