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In the mid 70’s our consulting
business {Burkhart/Abrams} was doing quite well. I had in my
mind to hire format specialists and move them to our Atlanta
headquarters. The concept had worked with Lee Abrams with
the album rock format (known as Superstars). I serviced CHR,
country, AC, MOR, news and talk formats along with two other
consultants I had hired who were excellent. However, I saw a
bright future ahead for various forms of AC, and wanted to
hire an AC “name”. It was Mike McVay.
Mike and I met at the Miami airport for hours, and as hard
as I sold him on our company he said “no”. He was determined
to open his own consulting company based in Cleveland. Money
wasn’t an issue because I would have paid him what he wanted
in any workable partnership agreement. But, heck, he and his
family were happy in Cleveland (where they had lived for a
number of years), and he didn’t want to move to Atlanta. I
should have said, “OK, we’ll open a Cleveland office for
you, and we’ll go into partnership”. However, in retrospect
I don’t think that he would have done that either. He wanted
his own company. Couldn’t blame him for that!!!! We said a
cordial “goodbye” at MIA. It was from that meeting that we
became good friends, and indeed years later (in 1995) HE
bought OUR Burkhart/Abrams consulting company!!!! Amazing
how things work out!!! I know because I WAS THERE!
Mike is a terrific broadcaster. He got experience from
programming stations in Wheeling, Charleston, Louisville,
San Diego, Los Angles and Cleveland. He got his general
managers experience at WABB in Mobile and WMJI/WBBG in
Cleveland. He got his ownership experience in Naples, Key
West, Honolulu and Flint. So when it was time to become an
advisor to the industry he was well tuned!!!
Mike’s first consulting client was WROV in Roanoke. He took
that AM and returned it to number one adults 25-54 when
music AM stations were in trouble….FM was coming on
strong!!! Presently, he has about 100 stations he consults
nationally and internationally. He has a staff of 8, plus 4
other consultants in “satellite offices”. Of the 12 people
at McVay Media three are administrative. Doris, his wife, is
General Manager of the entire operation.
Mike has a lot of fun. For example he crashed a Ringo Starr
dinner and acted like he knew Ringo. Ringo was very
courteous, but probably couldn’t figure out who this crasher
was!!! Another story Mike tells is “I have a picture on my
wall at home of me, Gene Simmons (Kiss lead singer) and
Brooke Shields taken at a Simmons birthday party. My
daughter Nicole (at about age 13) noticed it and asked,
‘Dad, is that Gene Simmons?’. I replied ‘yes’. She asked ‘Is
that Brooke Shields’, and proudly I said ‘yes’, and she
asked ‘Dad did you used to be somebody?’” Well, Nicole, your
dad is somebody….and somebody very important in the
broadcasting business. He has helped many broadcasters. Next
week, I’ll tell more… Mike Mcvay Part Two.!!!
e-mail Kent
kent@kentburkhart.com
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