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Charese Fruge’ (@MCMediaonline) Talks To Heidi Raphael
May 16, 2023
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She was born the first and only girl with four brothers in Buffalo, NY, where she started her career literally doing on-air airborne traffic in a Bell helicopter at WGR-A and doing weekend news at WECK-A. Today, Heidi Raphael is Beasley Media Group’s Chief Communications Officer. In her current role, she is responsible for providing leadership in overseeing corporate communications, branding, and marketing on behalf of the company. “I love working with Caroline Beasley and the entire Beasley Media Group family,” says Raphael. “Everyone is terrific. While we are a big company, it still feels like a family, which is really wonderful.” Before Beasley, she previously served as Senior Vice President of Corporate Communications at Greater Media, Inc., located in Braintree, MA, where she spent 20 years.
In addition to her role at Beasley, Raphael currently serves as Co-chair of the Board of Directors of the Library of American Broadcasting Foundation and is a member of the Florida Association of Broadcasters Board of Directors. In addition, she volunteers on the Southwest Florida Advisory Board of Home Base, an organization dedicated to helping veterans and their families.
Previously in her career, Raphael has served on the Board of Directors of the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) and the Alliance for Women in Media (AWM). Additionally, she is a former spokesperson and past Executive Committee member of the Mentoring & Inspiring Women in Radio Group (MIW) and a past Chair and President of the Buffalo Broadcasters Association. She also served on the Board of Trustees of Medaille College and the Buffalo History Museum Board of Directors. She was officially inducted into the Buffalo Broadcasters Hall of Fame in 2021.
What made Raphael want to get into the broadcasting business? “I had a deep voice for a girl at a really young age, so, one of my teachers arranged for me to do the middle school daily announcements and I loved it! I was the first girl to do them at that time,” she explains. “I went on to volunteer at my high school radio station and competed in DECA Radio Advertising competitions, then went to college to major in media communications. I was the first street reporting intern under the guidance of local legendary reporter Brian Meyer at WBEN-AM during my sophomore year of college, before landing a position as a paid intern in the newsroom during my junior year at WIVB-TV.”
Some of the highlights for Raphael over the years: “I am extremely grateful and humbled to have recently received the 2023 Broadcasters Foundation of America Leadership Award during the NAB Show in Las Vegas,” she says. “I was also inducted into the Buffalo Broadcasters Hall of Fame in 2021. It was a very proud moment to be able to have my entire family there with me for the first time at the event.”
“It was also a privilege to serve as a former spokesperson for the MIW Radio Group for six years- an outstanding organization dedicated to the advancement of women to senior positions in the radio industry. Ruth Presslaff and the executive committee of the organization have done an amazing job taking the organization to what it has become today,” says Raphael. “It’s incredible humbling to have been featured on Radio Ink’s MIW List on an annual basis since 2006.”
“Like most of us, work/life balance has probably been the biggest challenge so far. You just have to step back and take a deep breath at times. At the end of the day, family will always be first,” she says. “I’ve been very fortunate to work with some of the most wonderful people in the industry in every situation I’ve been involved with. From incredible forward thinking program directors at major stations across the country to market managers and incredible CEOs. It’s truly been a privilege. I don’t take any of it for granted. When I look back, I still can’t believe it.”
Raphael has great advice for women who want to succeed in the broadcast business: “Focus forward, follow your passion, work hard (and smart) and don’t get caught up in the minutia of the moment. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes (as long as you learn from them) and always ask questions until you get the answer you are looking for,” she says. “Take initiative and be proactive- volunteer and offer to help - even if it’s not your job. Don’t come back with why something can’t be done - provide solutions and options instead. Think five steps ahead rather than two and more importantly, learn how to listen.”
“Most importantly, make time to give time to others - whether it’s volunteering in your community or mentoring – it doesn’t necessarily have to be in radio,” she adds. “You can learn a lot about your community and what people are dealing with daily which can provide you with a deeper sense of humility and understanding. I have served on numerous non-media related boards over the years and learned a great deal about the inner workings of all kinds of organizations and businesses.”
What about engaging the younger generation in radio to encourage and continue the growth of traditional brands? “There are exceptional Millennials and Gen Zs out there that are passionate about getting into the business- both on and off the air,” says Raphael. “There are more opportunities than ever before - especially on the digital and video sides of the business- not to mention esports “caster” on air opportunities. As an industry, we all need to continue to connect with them- through great organizations like Broadcast Education Association (BEA), NABEF and others. Heather Birks and Michelle Duke do an excellent job with this. As a company. We do a lot with the schools in the markets we serve.”
As far as diversity, equity and inclusion, Raphael says Beasley is doing their part in making sure we, as an industry, embrace growth and change. “I can’t speak for other companies, but at Beasley, we launched our company’s “belong” initiative several years ago and it has been fantastic. We do ongoing workshops, sessions, and training throughout the year with our DEI Consultant, who is amazing. Caroline Beasley is a major advocate for it! DEI makes companies stronger and better when more diverse voices are heard. It’s important for companies to reflect the communities they serve.”
What keeps Raphael up at night? “Coming up with new ideas that can help us as well as making sure I don’t miss anything on the many initiatives we are currently working on.” As far as finding balance, “I let you know when I find out,” she says with a laugh.
As for what’s ahead for Raphael, as usual, she’ll be pretty busy, including with one of her passion projects. “I love serving as Co-chair of the Library of American Broadcasting Foundation board with Jack Goodman and the incredible people we have on the board,” she says. “They are the ‘best of the best.’ It is such a privilege to be a part of it. I love history - especially broadcasting history and it’s important that as an industry, we continue to preserve and support it. The collection is housed and curated by the amazing team at the University of Maryland. It’s a wonderful collection that reflects history and stories told through the lens and voice of broadcasters (tvradiolibrary.org).
Reach out to Heidi Raphael at heidi.raphael@bbgi.com.
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