Walter Sabo

Walter Sabo is a leader in media programming, marketing and management. He has the distinction of being the youngest Vice President in the history of ABC and youngest Executive Vice President at NBC, having landed both posts before the age of 30. He is believed to be the only media executive to have been the chief of a station group and of a radio network.

Career

Since 1984 he has been President of Sabo Media, a New York based programming and management company specializing in profitable content solutions. The team's effectiveness frequently compels clients to invite Sabo Media to implement turnaround strategies on-site.

Throughout its history, Sabo Media has worked with such distinguished firms such as: Group W, RKO Radio, Newhouse Communications, Viking Publishing, Press Broadcasting, Greater Media, AMC Movie Theatres, Standard Broadcasting of Canada, The CHUM Group, Clear Channel Communications, Gannett, Infinity, Dow Jones, American Radio Systems, Paxson Communications, Fred Silverman Television Productions, Katz Syndication and many others. Sabo Media consults all programming on Sirius Satellite Radio and has an on-site office to facilitate interaction with the staff. Banking/investor clients include Apollo Advisors, Blackstone and Schroeder Ventures of New York.

Sabo Media is the first to program talk 24/7 successfully on the FM band for a younger audience. "Talk" on FM results in new revenue streams for the medium. Other innovations include building and guiding the team that helped popularize the format known as Adult Contemporary--the financial backbone of American radio. Many of today's best known personalities were brought to notoriety by Mr. Sabo including Dr. Ruth Westheimer, Sally Jessy Raphael, and KFI Radio hosts John and Ken.

Prior to starting his own company, Mr. Sabo was the Vice President in charge of the ABC radio networks. The ABC Radio Networks is a $100,000,000+ company with 2000 affiliates and 300 employees.

At NBC, from 1978-1981, he served as Executive Vice President of the NBC owned FM stations which included premier properties in New York City, San Francisco, Chicago and Washington DC. Under his guidance the stations, along with a handful of others, launched a brand new, revolutionary format, Adult Contemporary. This success was profiled in "Fortune" magazine.

Personal life

Mr. Sabo is a board member emeritus of Command Audio, Redwood City California, a member of the National Arts club, Advisory Board of the Museum of Television and Radio, Board of Directors of Call For Action. He graduated from Syracuse University with honors. Commendations include the Sigma Delta Chi award for Journalism Excellence and the KODAK citation for superior consumer marketing. He is a featured columnist in media trade publications such as RADIO INK and a high profile speaker at industry events.

In 1968, at Columbia High School in Maplewood New Jersey he played on the original Ultimate Frisbee team.