David Barrett To Receive Golden Mike Award

The Broadcasters Foundation of America announced today that it will present its 2013 Golden Mike Award to David J. Barrett, chairman and chief executive officer, Hearst Television Inc., at a gala to benefit the foundation on Monday, Feb. 25, at the Plaza Hotel in New York City. Legendary sports broadcaster Jon Miller will host the event, which will include presentations by comedian, author and talk show host Steve Harvey and “America’s doctor,” Dr. Mehmet Oz.  Iconic singer and actress Darlene Love will perform.

Alan Frank, former president and CEO of Post-Newsweek Stations and winner of the 2011 Golden Mike, and Jordan Wertlieb, president of Hearst Television Inc., will also join the program. The annual gala is the year’s top fundraiser for the foundation, which supports broadcasters who can no longer work due to a catastrophic event, illness or family circumstances. The award honors exemplary service to the industry.

Barrett has led Hearst Television, which comprises 29 television and two radio stations, since 2001. He joined Hearst in 1984 as general manager of the company’s Baltimore radio stations, later adding general manager responsibility for the Hearst Radio Group, and then for WBAL-TV in Baltimore. He was named a vice president of the parent company and general manager of its broadcasting group in 1991, overseeing all Hearst-owned television and radio stations.

Barrett, a director of Hearst Corp., is also a trustee of the trust established under the will of William Randolph Hearst and a director of The Hearst Foundations.  He was inducted into the Broadcasting & Cable Hall of Fame in 2008 and has earned numerous other career honors.

Barrett’s son, Casey Barrett, an Emmy and Peabody Award winner for writing and producing NBC Olympics coverage and the co-founder and Co-CEO of Imagine Swimming Inc., the largest learn-to-swim school in New York City, will pay tribute to his father that night.

Jon Miller, the evening’s emcee, is legendary in the world of sports broadcasting. Known as the “voice of the San Francisco Giants” on the Bay Area’s KNBR Radio and NBC-TV, he has delivered play-by-play coverage of Sunday Night Baseball for 21 seasons on ESPN. Miller was once the announcer for the Baltimore Orioles on Hearst’s WBAL Radio. He has earned broadcast honors from the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

The Broadcasters Foundation of America has aided hundreds of broadcasters who can no longer work because of medical or other circumstances. Donations can be made as a personal gift to the Foundation and corporate contributions are accepted through the Angel Initiative.

For more information, please visit www.broadcastersfoundation.org, or call the foundation at 212-373-8250.