Chicago's broadcast museum announces new leadership

Jim Carlton

As the Museum of Broadcast Communications prepares to bounce back after the pandemic and works to redefine its mission, there’s a new boss in the front office.

Jim Carlton, a Chicago brand marketing executive and member of the museum’s board of directors, was named interim executive director Wednesday. He’s the third chief of the nonprofit institution since founder Bruce DuMont stepped down in 2017.

Susy Schultz

Carlton succeeds Susy Schultz, the veteran journalist who served as executive director since July 2019. She previously was president of Public Narrative (formerly Community Media Workshop), the nonprofit community media training organization.

"Susy led our institution during an unprecedented pandemic, bringing together the necessary pieces to refocus the museum, carry it through a crisis, and set it on a path to becoming a renewed institution," David Plier, board chairman of the museum, said in a statement.

Carlton, who's employed by New York-based Boom Ventures, previously worked for Ariel Investments, Geometry North America, Leo Burnett/Arc Worldwide and DHI Chicago. As a museum board member since 2020, he oversaw its rebranding efforts, including design of a new logo.

Museum of Broadcast Communications

“Through his work as a board member, Jim is intimately familiar with how the Museum of Broadcast Communications operates and will be able to draw from his award-winning talents and global network to carry out our strategic vision and raise MBC to a new level,” Plier said.

Of his new role, Carlton said: “I am enthusiastic about continuing to help MBC pivot from a cultural institution to a more social and interactive destination, both on-line and off. Working with the museum hands-on as a board member has made me appreciate what a gem the MBC is and what it can be moving forward.”

A major exhibition on "A Century of Radio" and the "Last Week with John Oliver Art Exhibit" are scheduled to open October 6 at the museum, 360 North State Street. Admission is free.