Preserving the history, heritage and works
of electronic media
Pictured: NBC is celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2026. Over that time, the network has poked fun at just about everything, including itself and its corporate masters with its award-winning sitcom 30 Rock. It ran from 2006 to 2013.
Our principal mission is supporting the Library of American Broadcasting at the University of Maryland. Through its collections, the LAB tells the extraordinary story of electronic media’s first century and lights the way into the second.
We encourage all efforts to preserve, explore and document the history of electronic media and to enrich the public’s understanding of the media and how it impacts the world.
And each year we salute the giants of electronic media — leading business people, journalists, performers, technologists and program producers, past and present — who have made it all possible.
Giants: Class of 2025
The LABF each year recognizes as Giants business executives, innovators, journalists, performers, producers and others who have excelled in the world of electronic media. The presentation luncheon is the foundation’s principal fundraiser.
Photo: Wendy Moger Bross
The class of 2025 was inducted at LABF’s annual awards luncheon at Gotham Hall in New York on Nov. 14. The eight newcomers (seven individuals and NBC) are now part of the honor roll of 263 Giants. The eight (shown in bold, l-r); Gary Sandy, TV, stage and film actor; NBC on its 100th anniversary year represented by Peter Alexander; David Muir, ABC News; Lesley Visser, sports correspondent; Rick Dees, entertainer and entrepreneur; Lynn Beall, TV station executive; John Feore, communications attorney; Dick Ferguson, radio executive. The 2025 Giants Digital Journal contains bios and tributes to the honorees and recognizes the luncheon’s many generous sponsors. See earlier classes of Giants here.
Relive the Celebration
And Make a Date to Join Us This Year: Tuesday, Nov. 17
Portnoy: A Passion For Preservation
ABC News Radio National Correspondent Steven Portnoy (c) received the 2025 LABF Excellence in Broadcast Preservation Award for his outstanding dedication and commitment to promoting awareness to the importance of collection and preservation of broadcast history. The award was presented at the Giants luncheon in New York on Nov. 14. He is flanked here by LABF co-chairs Jack Goodman and Heidi Raphael.
CHANGING OF THE GUARD
Denes, Parenti Elected LABF Co-Chairs
By vote of the LABF board, Dave “Chachi” Denes and Deborah Parenti succeeded communications attorney Jack Goodman and Beasley Media Group executive Heidi Raphael as co-chairs at the beginning of this year. Denes is president and co-founder of Benztown, a leader in radio imaging, production libraries, jingles, voiceover, and podcasting services. Parenti is publisher of Radio Ink and Radio + Television Business Report. For more on them and other board changes, click here.
Collins Tapped for New
Executive Director Post>
Longtime LABF Board Treasurer Mary M. Collins has been named executive director, a new post from which she will oversee LABF’s numerous initiatives, including preservation grants, educational programming, and the annual Giants luncheon. “Mary’s leadership, deep industry knowledge, and passion for media’s history and future make her the ideal person to help guide the LABF into its next chapter,” said LABF co-chairs Heidi Raphael and Jack Goodman in a statement. Collins brings extensive industry experience to the job.
<Radio’s Finn Named Director of Philanthropy and Strategic Partnerships
In a newly created role, Dan Finn will lead LABF’s fundraising initiatives and cultivate strategic relationships with donors, corporate partners, and industry leaders to further advance the Foundation’s mission of preserving, honoring, and celebrating the history of American broadcasting. Finn brings decades of leadership experience in the media industry. Most recently, he served as senior vice president and regional market manager for Beasley Media’s New Jersey cluster.
Insight Honoree for 2025: Delilah
Legendary syndicated radio personality Delilah (center) received the fourth annual Insight Award from the LABF during the NAB Show on April 7 in Las Vegas. She was joined at the presentation ceremony by LABF board members (l-r): Co-Chair Heidi Raphael, Julie Talbott, Chandra Clark, Deborah Parenti, Co-Chair Jack Goodman, Wally Podrazik, Chachi Denes and April Carty-Sipp. Delilah, whose radio show is syndicated by Premiere Networks, is the most-listened-to woman on radio in the U.S. with more than eight million weekly listeners on approximately 160 radio stations.
Reflective of LABF’s purpose, the Insight Award recognizes an individual or organization for an outstanding artistic or journalistic work or body of work that enhances the public’s understanding of the role, operation, history or impact of media in our society. Past recipients include actor, director and educator LeVar Burton, CBS News’ 60 Minutes and award-winning producer and journalist Soledad O’Brien.
LABF Returns As Sponsor of BEA Career Fair
For the second consecutive year, the LABF will serve as the official presenting sponsor of the Broadcast Education Association (BEA) Career Fair and Graduate Student Showcase, held in conjunction with the NAB Show in Las Vegas.
Scheduled for Monday, April 21, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., the fair will connect top students, industry professionals, and recruiters in a dynamic environment designed to foster talent discovery, mentorship, and meaningful career connections.
Last year, some 400 students and professional attended the four-hour event, where they met with recruiters and representatives of 25 leading broadcasting companies and graduate schools.
“We are incredibly excited to partner again with the LABF,” said Heather Birks, executive director of the BEA. “LABF’s continued dedication to preserving broadcasting’s legacy while championing its future aligns perfectly with BEA’s mission to support the academic and professional development of students entering the broadcast and media industries.”
Representing LABF at the 2025 fair (l-r): then LABF Co-Chair Heidi Raphael and board members Chandra Clark and Heather Birks, who doubles as executive director of the BEA.
“Libraries store the energy that fuels the imagination. They open up windows
to the world and inspire us
to explore and achieve.”
— Sidney Sheldon, TV producer and author