The late Albert Fitzgerald inducted into IMRO Hall of Fame

One of the most respected honours in the world of Irish radio has been bestowed on the former Managing Director of Midlands 103, the late Albert Fitzgerald, who sadly passed away on August 13 last.

He was one of three people to be inducted into the 2022 IMRO Radio Awards Hall of Fame at a special ceremony in the IMRO office in Dublin today (Tuesday) along with RTE Radio 1 presenter and author Rachel English and Keith Finnegan from Galway Bay FM.

Previous inductees include Joe Duffy, Marian Finucane, Pat Kenny, Ian Dempsey, Aine Lawlor and Gay Byrne.

Chosen by a group of their peers in the Irish radio industry, the inductees range from national to local radio broadcasters, allof whom are highly respected for their skill, passion for their jobs and love for radio.

It was an especially poignant day from Albert Fitzgerald's wife, Siobhán Butler, who accepted the award on behalf of her late husband, and for the couple's two sons, Stephen and Andrew, who joined their mother for the special occasion.

Chair of the IMRO Radio Awards Committee, Chris Doyle, described the three inductees as "giants of the radio industry from across Ireland" and said they had worked "in front of and behind the microphone delivering audience and commercial success in their respective careers."

"Today is tinged with sadness that Albert Fitzgerald is no longer with us, he is such a deserving recipient of the award, and we know he would have thoroughly enjoyed being here. We are delighted that his wife Siobhan and his sons Stephen and Andrew could join us to remember Albert and his amazing radio career" said Mr. Doyle.

Speaking on behalf of sponsors, IMRO Chairperson Eleanor McEvoy said each of the three inductees have made "a lasting impression on the industry and they now sit alongside the leading lights of broadcasters in Ireland.”

Chief Executive of the BAI, Celene Craig, said the 2022 Hall of Fame inductees had made "significant contributions to the radio sector over many years" and the Hall of Fame serves to acknowledge the "important part played by individuals within the radio industry."

The full text of the 2022 Hall of Fame citation for the late Albert Fitzgerald is as follows:

Albert Fitzgerald began his radio career as a salesperson with Cork’s ERI, instantly falling in love with the medium and receiving promotion to Sales Director in less than six months.

Romantic love lured him away from Cork, and he briefly left the industry, returning in 1995 to then-Midlands Radio 3. The business was deeply loss-making, and listenership was the lowest in local radio. Albert pledged his future wife that he would spend less than a year there.

However, Tullamore remained their home because of the impact Albert would have. The training was his first priority, a belief that saw him later serve as a founding director of the radio industry training body, Learning Waves. With proper sales structures in place, the company became profitable, and major competitions drove greater listenership.

The all-new Midlands 103, its fortunes reversed, was an attractive takeover target, and when the Tindle Family conducted due diligence, they wanted Albert to become Managing Director as a condition of purchase. On assuming control, he successfully secured the 2004 licence renewal and launched a capital investment programme in transmission, vehicles and studios. Fortunately, these projects were completed in advance of the economic crash, which set the stage for Albert’s biggest test.

Confronted with plummeting revenue, client failures and doubtful debts, Midlands103 adopted unconventional tactics. It immediately launched CrunchBusters, an early e-commerce platform on which the station would sell discounted products and services directly to listeners. These offers were sourced from clients who needed to advertise but no longer had the cash to do so. It was a win-win concept for all parties: the listener received terrific purchase offers, the radio station generated income, and advertisers could inexpensively maintain their brand profile. It proved popular with discretionary businesses such as hotels, restaurants and leisure centres.

Midlands 103’s commercial resilience caught the eye of Sir Ray Tindle, and, on Albert’s advice, he consolidated his radio interests into the three most profitable stations and appointed Fitzgerald as Group Managing Director. His commercial acumen also saw Albert hold a position on the Executive Board of IRS. These achievements were noted locally, too, with a Businessperson of the Year Award from the Tullamore Chamber in 2012 and a similar distinction from the Midlands Gateway Chamber a year later.

The 59-year-old was an accomplished presenter and producer, too, with a gold PPI Radio Award and a Justice Media Award. He used his music passion to promote charity concerts, raising over €100,000 for the Tullamore & District Rotary Club -the same organisation where, as President, Albert spearheaded a modernising policy to admit women as members.

Albert’s final year at the Tindle helm saw the birth of DAB in the Channel Islands and a new service called Soleil Radio. He stepped down as Group Managing Director of Tindle Radio in December 2021 in order to concentrate on his health and family.

Albert Fitzgerald sadly passed away in August 2022.