Marvin Goldsmith

Marvin Goldsmith was a television industry legend, serving the industry from 1963-2000. He retired as President Sales and Marketing at ABC television in 2000.

Marvin began his eyewitness to broadcasting history as a CBS page. Working alongside Barry Manilow as a fellow page, they worked on The Gary Moore Show, The Jackie Gleason Show and CBS News. In fact, Marvin was captured behind Walter Cronkite, pulling the wires as Cronkite announced President Kennedy's death. A video we are all familiar with.

While working on the Gary Moore show he found himself in the elevator with Carol Burnett. She asked him his name and then said "Marv, we're engaged!". She then got undressed and changed into another costume to run to the next soundstage. Years later he met her again when he took clients to a taping of the Julie Andrews/Carol Burnett show and she said, you look familiar... He said "we're engaged." "Marv!!! " she shouted.

Watching his friend Barry Manilow writing and composing advertising jingles for money inspired him to venture out to his next job, working at BBDO advertising. At BBDO he was first an editor for Hugh Downs then was pulled into the business client buying end of the agency. There he worked on Chrysler, Campbells, Liberty Mutual and Pepsi becoming known for being so smart and innovative in his planning techniques. ABC noticed and offered him a job.

While at ABC he revamped the planning department and rose quickly through the ranks. He was approached to join the ABC sports sales department and he accepted. Traveling extensively with Howard Cosell, Frank Gifford, Michaels, then Lynn Swan, he attended most Monday night games, all the Superbowls, the British Open, the Ali fights and of course the Olympics.

From there he was pulled into Prime Time sales and ABCs ratings sky rocketed with Happy Days, Laverne and Shirley, 20/20, and so on. The stars of the shows adored him, the producers and actors all sought his opinions on their shows and treatments, even after his retirement. They even gave him a cameo on NYPD Blue with Dennis Franz.

Marvin rose quickly to President of Sales and Marketing at ABC Capital Cities, and eventually ABC Disney. Breaking a barrier, he was the first jewish head of sales at any of the networks.

Under Goldsmith, ABC became the highest rated TV network resulting from the runaway success of Millionaire and broke revenue records with the telecasts of the Superbowls and the Academy Awards. In the upfront markets, when commercial time is sold ahead of the annual TV season, under Marvin, ABC set another record, selling about $2.4 billion worth of spots. Goldsmith is credited today for being responsible for the rise in price of the Superbowl Ad. While doing this he was a tough negotiator, used his incredible sense of humor and was always loyal and fair to his team and clients. "A Legend in the business" is what has been said by everyone in his orbit. He will be missed by all.

Marvin Goldsmith died 8/8/2023 in Westchester, New York.