Caroline Beasley: Chief Executive Officer, Beasley Media Group
August 19, 2022
by Fred Deane
Caroline Beasley
The employee satisfaction level at Beasley always appears to be very high, and Caroline Beasley is one of the key reasons the company earns this lofty standard and makes it such a desirable place to be.
Beasley is a forward-thinking multi-media company that continually challenges its own aspirations. Prudent risk-taking and exploration are part of the game plan with Beasley and excellent leadership is what sets the course.
As Chief Executive Officer, Caroline has created a company culture of autonomy, collaboration, and participation in all parts of the organization among its valued employees.
Her overall involvement in the broadcast industry runs steep as well. The media executive currently serves as the Chair of the BMI Board of Directors and is a member of the FCC Diversity and Inclusion Committee. She previously was the Joint Board Chair of the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) Board of Directors and is a past Chairman of the NAB Radio Board. In addition. She also is a member of the Broadcasters Foundation of America Board of Directors and serves on the Board of NABEF (National Association of Broadcasters Education Foundation).
Caroline has routinely received industry recognition in the areas of Radio Executive of the Year, Most Powerful People in Radio, and Most Influential Women in Radio.
What is your current read on the state of our industry and your prognosis of where we should be heading?
As an industry, it’s important for us to continue to move forward. Focusing forward and embracing technology that complements our core offerings will continue to be critical as we look to the future with a digital first and multiplatform focus for the overall growth of our audiences. Intertwining this with great live and local brands and talent, we will be successful for many years to come.
Does the radio industry have the commitment to long-term growth or is it merely trying to survive quarter-to-quarter with myopia regarding its future?
Trying to survive quarter-to-quarter is not surviving. For us as a company, it’s not about surviving, it’s about thriving.
We are very excited about the future, from our digital capabilities and focus on first party data to the metaverse and the dashboard.
Those companies that embrace it and legitimately look for new ways to adopt new technology and grow WITH it will come out strong on the other end. While radio remains a very important part of what we do, we need to become entertainment brands (not just radio brands) that deliver different types of entertaining content on many different platforms.
What positive signs do you currently see that inform you of our industry’s efforts of ensuring a competitive future?
We have more platforms and extensions to showcase our brands than ever before. Digital first is our big focus right now in terms of where we are headed as a company. The pandemic really shed an important light on this.
To support this concept, we recently purchased Guarantee Digital, a successful full service digital company based in Wisconsin, to help elevate us in this space. I am very excited about this acquisition and the many opportunities it will bring for both our advertisers and our audiences as we move forward.
How vital is it for all radio groups to recognize the importance of investing in radio’s future?
For us, culture is key. We are investing in our future by hiring the right people and investing in them.
Last year we unveiled our companywide diversity, equity and inclusion initiative called “belong.” Investing in our people and giving them the opportunity to grow is key and goes back to the culture of “yes” philosophy that we have instilled throughout our organization. We also do ongoing training with our teams to make sure they have what they need to be successful.
There’s been an ongoing discussion about pursuing and recruiting members of the Millennial and Gen Z demo groups to balance the strategic thinking of the brain-trust of broadcast companies. What has Beasley been doing in this area to help ensure a brighter future?
Millennial and Gen Z groups play an important role in the future success of our industry. They come into the industry with an inherent understanding of the digital space, which is critical and what we need in our industry.
At Beasley, we continue to identify and recruit future stars and leaders in those demos that are passionate and excited about getting into the business. It’s up to us to listen and learn from what they have to say as well as provide the right coaching and give them the necessary tools they need to succeed.
Do you find much camaraderie, if not collaboration, among other broadcast group top execs invoking a sense that “we’re all in this together,” or is it pretty much every company for itself?
I believe as an industry we are all flying more in tandem than ever before which is great to see. While every company has its own vision and mission, overall I think it is better than it’s ever been. At the end of the day, we are all being challenged by the same increased listener choices from big tech competitors.
Do you interact much with top execs from other radio groups much at all (conferences, panels, etc.)?
I often see other radio group heads when I’m invited to participate on panels or at conferences. While I respect my peers, at the end of the day, I am most focused on spending my time with our employees in our markets and running the company.
How important is it for senior execs like yourself to be effective advocates of our business, as well as a central inspiration source for your own employees?
It’s critical. My late father, who was my mentor, taught us the importance of leading by example. He was also a staunch supporter and champion on behalf of the radio industry. Those principles still hold true within our company today. As much as I hope to inspire them, our employees continue to inspire me daily!
What are the best ways to motivate employees to continue to strive for higher goals?
The best way to inspire employees is to give them the room to grow and thrive in what they do. We promote people from within on a regular basis. Our company’s core values are integrity, innovation, collaboration and performance. Everything we do centers around those four principles.
Our Beasley Best corporate philosophy is about being the best at what you do daily. Each year, we celebrate the ‘best of the best’ during our company’s Outstanding Achievement Awards. It’s a great event and recognizes people who have gone above and beyond for the year!
What separates good leaders from poor ones?
The leaders who encourage others, have integrity, treat people with respect, embrace innovation and serve in the trenches with their teams, are the ones that will succeed.
Given your achievements in our industry, how essential do you feel it should be for someone like yourself to be a role model for aspiring women at any level of our business?
I hope, whether it’s a woman or a man, I am able to show them that through hard work, commitment, dedication and respect, anything is possible!
