“I wanted to find out why modern-day mortals might describe Bill as a good man.”
Molner’s and my friend Bill Koenigsberg — the Founder & CEO of Horizon Media — was given a Lifetime Achievement award just this past week, from Reisenbach Philanthropies. I was asked to say a few words to introduce Bill, which was a real challenge: How do you sum up your feelings on a friend? Here’s what I came up with — some thoughts on what it feels like to be a “good man” in these tumultuous times. I wanted to share my thoughts with you: If you’re writing a speech for a friend, feel free to steal a few lines. (I promise I won’t tattle.)
Good evening, everyone! I don’t think I’ve stood in front of this many people since I anchored the CBS Evening News… I’m elated to be here to present my good friend Bill Koenigsberg with the Reisenbach Foundation’s Lifetime Achievement Award. I know the good work this organization does has meant so much to Bill as does this recognition.
As someone who prides herself on being a good writer, you might have noticed I’ve used the word “good” well, now a total of five times. Now I’m going to use it a sixth time. Because Bill Koenigsberg is a good man.
What does that mean exactly? Well, going back a few years, Socrates says he is a man who always considers his actions and acts in a good and just way. 18th-century English writer and poet Samuel Johnson believed, “The true measure of a man is how he treats someone who can do him absolutely no good.” And the father of our country, George Washington himself said, “A good man is one who is humble and does not seek attention or recognition for his actions.”
Oh well, two out of three ain’t bad, Bill.
But seriously, I wanted to find out why more modern-day mortals might describe Bill as a good man. And since I’ve built my career asking questions, I posed this to a number of people in Bill’s life.
Carolyn Everson, a former top marketing executive at Facebook, told me: “Bill is without a doubt the mentor, champion, friend, and partner you can count on. When I was very junior in my career, my boss at the time asked Bill if he would look after me in the industry. Twenty years later, there is nothing but pure admiration, respect, and adoration for his integrity, leadership, generosity, and compassion. I am blessed to have him in my corner.”
Nancy Dubuc — one of the top women in the world of media — told me: “Bill is unique in that he consistently and uniquely puts others before himself. He’s all the adjectives you think of when trying to define ‘good.’ Thoughtful, high integrity, generous, smart. Bill is always there when you least expect it and when you need it most.”
Growing up in Long Beach, Long Island, Bill fell in love with TV as a kid. But not TV shows… TV commercials. He was captivated by the “Plop plop fizz fizz” of Alka-Seltzer, learned that things go better with Coke, that Rice-A-Roni was the San Francisco treat, and if he didn’t eat hot dogs… Armour hot dogs… I mean, who didn’t eat the dogs kids love to bite? (I’m the same vintage so I remember all these commercials like they were yesterday… If you don’t… you’re just too damn young.)
Bill thought about becoming a professional tennis player… Yes, he was that good. But he was sidelined by an ankle injury and returned to another childhood passion: marketing. He headed north from the University of Miami and got a job the old-fashioned way: a tip from his sister’s boyfriend’s brother who worked at a media buying agency. Within six years, he was managing 90 people. And he hadn’t even turned 30.
Then in 1984, a company named Media General tapped him to open a New York office… When they decided to sell his division five years later, Bill convinced them to sell it to him… and put up the $13 million to boot.
Fast forward and today, Horizon Media employs more than 2400 people and is the largest privately held media agency in the world, representing scores of huge brands. So yeah, in addition to being a good man, Bill is kind of a baller. He’s hugely respected by his colleagues in the industry— to show how much, he’s been inducted into both the Advertising and Broadcasting and Cable Halls of Fame.
But what’s more impressive is Bill’s character and extraordinary leadership skills. He lives out his motto, “Business is Personal,” every day by the culture he creates and the care he shows his people—each month, he writes an anniversary note to every single employee celebrating a milestone with Horizon. And during the pandemic, he stayed connected with a once-a-week communique not really about the business but full of encouraging words and life lessons.
This is invaluable, especially to all the young people at Horizon Media. As Bill’s friend Bob Pittman told me, “One more reason Bill is a good man is he is always looking for ways to help young people. His intern program may be the most impressive in the business. He lets kids get real experience and he treats them as full-fledged adults and peers. They learn skills, gain experience, and develop self-confidence. Bill has given that initial push for so many young people as they are at the front end of their careers.”
Even though we don’t really fall into that category, when my husband, John Molner, and I decided to start Katie Couric Media almost six years ago and pair global brands with compelling purpose-driven storytelling, Bill was the first person we turned to. He’s helped us grow our business and encouraged us to “swing for the fences” — we continue to value his partnership, guidance, and loyalty. And the whole venture just wouldn’t have been as much without Bill… and his office space.
I don’t want to give anyone the misimpression that Bill is all about work… His family is really his world. He is a wonderful husband, father, brother, son-in-law, and for nearly a century, the most amazing son. He was wholly devoted to his beautiful and vivacious mother, Ronnie, who passed away last February, one day shy of her 97th birthday. The deep love and concern he has for his entire family is something that continues to move and inspire me.
Speaking of family, I asked Amy Reisenbach to describe her brother John, who was tragically killed when he was just 32 years old. Amy was just 11 when he died — and she wishes she had gotten to know him better. But she did know he loved dogs, New York City, booze, and cigarettes. Oh, and he was always the life of the party. Well, Bill doesn’t smoke, prefers a nice Barolo over scotch on the rocks, but he does love dogs and New York City. And he too, is the life of the party — mostly because he enjoys nothing more than seeing his friends have a good time (although truth be told, his wife Jess is a much better dancer).
It’s my honor to present the John Reisenbach Lifetime Achievement Award for Service to New York to my fellow Capricorn, a goat in more ways than one, and a truly good man, Bill Koenigsberg.
