The Celebration of Jack Braverman’s life drew a packed house at Vancouver’s Arbutus Club on Sunday afternoon.
I had the honour of being the kick-off speaker (I was the person who hired him away from CJOR). Ted Smith, who replaced me at NW when I bought (and moved) to C-FAX, was the only other media speaker.
Some of the other radio folks I spotted included the legendary NW Copy Chief Tony Antonias (he of “$1.49 Day….Woodwards” fame).
Gerry Altman, who was top salesman at NW before Jack came along, was there. Gerry went to CJOR when Jimmy Pattison bought the station. Brian Antonson (BCIT) was in attendance. So was John Ashbridge.
One thing I learned at the event was that Jack Braverman was the top billing radio salesman in Canada for 18 consecutive years! Wow.
Cheers,
Mel
Mel Cooper
Chair, TELUS Victoria Community Board
826 Yates Street, Victoria, BC V8W 2H9
Tel 250.388.8749 | Cell 250.888.2845 |Fax 250.381.0659
Related stories of the late Jack Braverman……
The highest billing salesman in Vancouver radio history has died
R.I.P: Jack Braverman
Update News from Mel Cooper
message from former CFAX/KOOL FM Victoria, Mel Cooper….
Jack was the best radio salesman I ever met. His numbers were staggering!
Carmela and I are heading over to the Celebration of his life this coming Monday afternoon. I’m the kickoff speaker. Ted Smith, who inherited Jack when he took over my spot at NW, will speak 3rd. I don’t know of any other media types who are scheduled to speak.
After the event, I could fill you in.
Cheers,
Mel
Mel Cooper
Chair, TELUS Victoria Community Board
826 Yates Street, Victoria, BC V8W 2H9
Tel 250.388.8749 | Cell 250.888.2845 |Fax 250.381.0659
Our friend Mel Cooper send us the sad news of Jack Braverman, who Mel hired for CKNW back in the late 60’s, saying there was none better. Jack was a movie film salesman (booking movies and independent theatres around BC) before joining radio station CJOR. Once he joined CKNW, he started to bill at levels never seen before in Vancouver. Mel also added “Jack was one, if not the best hire I’ve made.” He suffered with and died from Parkinson’s disease this week.
The Celebration of His Life will be held at a date to be determined.
Jack was amazing. He not only was a top producer, he controlled the buys of some of the biggest accounts in the province. Safeway, Vancouver City Savings and many more. Both he and Mel understood the essential principle that the station that controlled the client’s production, controlled the buy. Hence jack had not only his own unbelievable salesmanship to count on, but he had the stellar production department of Western Productions (Dick Abbott and Paul Preston) but the equally talented promo department headed by John Plul and, then rookie PR kid Gary McCarty. What a team of talent at ‘NW in those days.
I was privileged to work with Jack Braverman at CKNW for 10 years. As a member of the creative department, my co-writers and I were frequent guests of Jack for dinner – he always made sure that those of us writing the spots for his clients felt included, recognized and respected as part of his success. In many respects, Jack was ‘way ahead of his time.
I too like Bob Mutis had the pleasure of working with Jack Braverman at CKNW and CFMI for ten years. Over that ten years we certainly were Top Dog. It was a team effort from every department in the station with Jack Braverman leading the way in professional radio sales! Will miss our chats that continued thru the years. A flag flies half mast for you!
Jack was truly a gentleman and helpful when ever asked. I enjoyed working with him at CKNW and CFMI in the 80’s. You will be missed.
My gosh, how times have changed for careers in radio advertising. There must be tremendous churn because I frequently hear in-house ads on various Pacific Northwest stations (including NW) asking ambitious would-be sales types to apply.
I always wonder if ad rates and thus commissions are much less vs. the cost of living than in Jack’s heyday. Certainly he did well enough to raise a family and, with wife Doreen, to be a prominent BC Liberal.
A very dapper, classy guy who made his mark in the lesser known side of radio.
Condolences to the family.
message from former CFAX/KOOL FM Victoria, Mel Cooper….
Jack was the best radio salesman I ever met. His numbers were staggering!
Carmela and I are heading over to the Celebration of his life this coming Monday afternoon. I’m the kickoff speaker. Ted Smith, who inherited Jack when he took over my spot at NW, will speak 3rd. I don’t know of any other media types who are scheduled to speak.
After the event, I could fill you in.
Cheers,
Mel
Mel Cooper
Chair, TELUS Victoria Community Board
826 Yates Street, Victoria, BC V8W 2H9
Tel 250.388.8749 | Cell 250.888.2845 |Fax 250.381.0659
Thank your, All, for your thoughtful remarks.