Tom Savage (Irish media figure)

Tom Savage
Nationality Irish
Alma mater Queen's University Belfast (QUB)
Occupation Chairperson
Employer Raidió Teilifís Éireann (RTÉ)
Spouse Terry Prone
Children Anton Savage

Tom Savage is chairman of the RTÉ Board, which oversees Ireland's state broadcaster, and chairman of Irish media consultancy group The Communications Clinic.[1]

Contents

Early Years

Savage studied at Queen's University Belfast (QUB). After graduating in 1968, he became Director of Social Welfare in the Archdiocese of Armagh, a post he held until 1972. Also in 1968, Cardinal William Conway appointed him to the Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA). When the Troubles broke out in Northern Ireland he was reportedly "the priest sent by Cardinal Conway to welcome the British troops" as peacekeepers.[2]

PR career

Catholic Communications

In 1972, Savage was appointed as a lecturer at the Catholic Communications Institute. In that role, he made regular appearances on religious programming UTV and RTÉ. Later, Savage lectured at the School of Journalism in Rathmines, on sociology, media, and local government.

Political Communications

Tom joined Bunny Carr's PR company Carr Communications, which later formed the basis of the Communications Clinic. He served Taoiseach Albert Reynolds as a communications consultant.

RTÉ career

He worked in RTÉ Radio as a night news editor and in the features department. He presented RTÉ television shows It Says in the Papers, Eyewitness to History, and For Better or For Worse. He was the first producer of Morning Ireland. He was appointed Chairman of the RTÉ Board on 23 February 2009.

Personal life

Tom is married to wife Terry Prone, also a co-owner of the The Communications Clinic. His son Anton Savage is an Irish radio personality on Today FM.[3]

Tom is a member of Cooley Kickham GAA club, and has played senior football for Donegal County. He won an all Ireland junior medal in 1961. He also was a member of the first Queens University GAA team to the Sigerson cup.

References

  1. ^ "The RTÉ Board". RTÉ. Retrieved 30 November 2011.
  2. ^ "Our People -- Tom Savage". The Communications Clinic. Retrieved 30 November 2011.
  3. ^ "Kate Fitzgerald". Broadsheet.ie. Retrieved 30 November 2011.