Introduction

FINDING THE WORDS

A special message from MFM’s immediate past chairman kicks off a report on our virtual conference — and where we watched it.

WHEN I COMMITTED TO WRITING A FEW REFLEC-

tive comments to lead off this post-conference special report in June, I thought the task would be easy. All that changed as the days continued. So many in our country are suffering; so many of our media colleagues are in battles not to merely achieve successful years but survive. They need to keep their staffs healthy, in good spirits and (oh yeah) employed.

Figuring out what to write became a daunting task, and I have struggled to find words that were meaningful and had purpose. As so many of you know, I am not one who’s usually at a loss for words. They are often inappropriate, but words always have flowed so easily for me until now. And then, during all of this, we lost our dear friend Jeana Stanley. As so many of you know, she had been Hearst’s vice president of finance; treasurer of MFM’s Board; and a very active member of our community. Like many of you, I am struggling with this loss.

But around 4 AM this morning, while on the elliptical machine, it occurred to me that I was overcomplicating things. There were only a couple of messages that are demanded at a time like this. Most importantly, thank you!

Manship Media is a very small fish in a very small pond as the media business goes, but for most of my professional life, MFM and you its members have accepted me, befriended me, entrusted me with responsibility and honored me. MFM’s wonderful professional team and its hundreds of volunteers move mountains with their efforts. (Try converting a national meeting to a virtual event in six weeks.)

MFM is only successful because of efforts of so many of you. I never miss a chance to plug my beloved LSU Tigers. But for over 30 years I have had the pleasure and the awe of being around real champions: MFM members. That happens whenever we get together in person, by phone and now by Zoom. There are no words to fully express the impact of your friendship and guidance. “Thank you” is perhaps the best I can do, but it is far too inadequate a sentiment for all you have done for me personally and professionally.

That is the easier of the two messages I want to convey. The second is more difficult. Because I live within a small media company, my life is not as constrained as it is for so many of you that are constantly under the bullseye of Wall Street analysts. Simply put, I wish that each and everyone of you were able to experience MFM as I have. To go to an MFM conference and come home with an idea that saves a million dollars creates an incredible emotional high. But this pales in comparison to what I’ve felt when receiving calls and emails of concern during a hurricane or the congrats at another LSU national championship. And there’s nothing quite like having surgery in a strange city and waking up to find the daughter of a dear MFM friend reading your chart.

I urge each and every one of our members to press their companies to continue to be involved in MFM at a high level. I truly believe that by being active in our organization, you will experience real rewards both professionally and personally, and a significant return on investment for your company.

Here are a couple of extra thank yous. To my exec committee colleagues, MFM board and staff, love you guys. You rock! To my family – Edie, Boo, Sissy and Becca – you light up my life and never complain when I am not around. (But you do celebrate.)

And a special wish that all of you should one day have a work family like I do. There are no words to describe the feeling when one of your closest friends and the CEO of your company tells the Justice Department in a deposition, “He’s the member of the family that doesn’t owe the $%^&*ing bank any money.”

As we navigate this difficult year of 2020, thank you for the honor of being part of you. Stay safe, in good spirits and remember to laugh every day.

Peace & Love, Ralph Bender

Ralph Bender is the immediate past chairman of MFM and CFO of Manship Media. He can be reached at rbender@wbrz.com.