Ep. 61 Mike McVay

EPISODE SUMMARY: Mike McVay is a 40+ year radio veteran with expertise spanning content creation broadcasting, network syndication, talent coaching, artist development, and media strategy design. He has held numerous roles including EVP of Cumulus and Westwood One and is the President of McVay Media Consulting. McVay shares the story of his legendary career. 

McVay will be among those honored this fall as Giants of Broadcasting by the Library of American Broadcasting Foundation at the 2024 Giants of Broadcasting & Electronic Arts luncheon and awards ceremony on November 12th at Gotham Hall in New York City.

On this episode of Chachi Loves Everybody, Chachi talks to Mike McVay about:

1. Growing up outside of Pittsburgh in a railroad family and deciding to do radio from an early age
2. Getting his first gig at WHJB at 15 then dropping out of college and moving to West Virginia to become a program director
3. His desire for career growth and to control his own destiny and how that attracted him to programming
4. Jumping around to several cities and stations before landing in LA where he was surrounded by legendary air talent whom he learned from
5. Bouncing around more and becoming a station manager and GM
6. Having a supportive wife and family who allowed them to move around but also supported him and founded McVay Media with him along with Charlie Cook
7. The explosive success of McVay Media and recruiting top consultants to handle over 200 stations eventually growing to over 25 employees worldwide
8. Buying his first radio station and the stress of owning multiple stations
9. Joining Cumulus Media and Westwood One as EVP of Content and Programming and advising over 500 stations
10. How he reacted to management shakeups, the evolution of Cumulus, and stepping away to focus back on McVay Media which became a family affair
11. The many industry organizations he is a part of, including the Country Radio Broadcasters Board, Alliance for Women in Media Board, and the Radio Committee for St. Jude's Children's Hospital and Research Center
12. The importance of professionalism, personal happiness, and giving back, and being a good person

ABOUT THIS EPISODE'S GUEST: Mike McVay is President of McVay Media Consulting. Working globally as a full-service consultant in the areas of Content Creation, Program Consultation, Syndication, Digital Delivery, Production & Imaging, Podcasting, Talent Coaching, and Media Training. He was most recently the Executive Vice President of Content and Programming for Cumulus Media and Westwood One.

McVay is a 40+ year programmer with national and local management, ownership, sales, major market programming, and major market on-air experience. Mike has owned and operated radio stations in multiple markets. He is a partner in Benztown + McVay Media Podcast Network with experience in curating Podcasts for Westwood One, NatGeo and Disney+. He has also developed and launched several highly successful nationally syndicated programs.

He is a 2021 Inductee to the West Virginia Broadcasters Hall of Fame. He serves on the Board of Directors for the Alliance for Women in Media Foundation, The Country Radio Broadcasters, the Radio Committee for St. Jude Children’s Hospital and Research Center, and is a voting member of the Country Music Association as well as The Academy of Country Music.

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:

• Donny Osmund
• John Sally
• Jim Brickman
• Doug Stefan
• Mark McGrath
• Stephen A Smith
• Soledad O’Brien
• Jean Chatsky
• Cowboy Phil
• Ed Saloman
• Bob Pittman