Ep. 68 Chris Forgy

EPISODE SUMMARY: Chris Forgy is President & CEO of Saga Communications and serves on the board of the NAB, the RAB, and the Broadcasters Foundation of America. He shares his radio journey and the many lessons he learned along the way to becoming a Broadcasters Foundation of America Leadership Award honoree.

On this episode of Chachi Loves Everybody, Chachi talks to Chris Forgy about:

1. Growing up in Dayton, OH, and visiting the radio stations where his dad worked
2. How mentorship plays a crucial role in personal and professional growth and the importance of support systems
3. Why he tries to be unlike other CEOs and the value of authenticity in leadership
4. Getting started in sales and learning to handle rejection while shattering sales records
5. Why protecting the brand is crucial in radio
6. Becoming a GM and preaching deliberate and purposeful actions
7. Getting surprised with an offer to lead Saga and leading the company responsibly, while avoiding debt Radio’s role in the digital landscape and his advice for the future
    

And More!

ABOUT THIS EPISODE'S GUEST: Chris Forgy began his broadcast career in 1980, serving in sales and management positions before joining Saga in 1996. He initially served as Director of Sales for Saga’s Columbus Radio Group. In 2006 he left Saga to join Urban One as President and General Manager of their stations in Cleveland, OH. In 2011, he returned to Saga as President and General Manager of the Columbus Radio Group. Subsequently, he joined Saga’s corporate management team in 2018 as Senior Vice President/Operations where he oversaw the operations of all of Saga’s stations. Following the passing of Ed Christian, Saga’s founder, President, CEO and Chairman in 2022, Forgy was named President and CEO becoming only the second President and CEO in the company’s history.

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:

• John King
• Steve Kirk
• Terry Dorsey
• Deborah Parenti
• Dave Marshall
• Alan Gray
• Tom Stewart
• Terry Dorsey
• Ron Chapman
• Tom Joyner
• Nancy Bates
• Dan Halliburton
• Larry Grogan
• Rich Allen
• Ed Christian
• Zemira Jones
• John Rivers
• Jeff Wilkes
• Al Fetch
• Chuck Knight
• Warren Lada
• Marcia Lobaito
• Tim Cook
• Sam Bush
• David Field

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 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’s Audio Architecture is one of the only commercial libraries that is built exclusively for radio spots to provide the right music for radio commercials. 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 serv