Today Media Marketing Executive Charlie Tomlinson Dies at 77

Charles “Charlie” Tomlinson, the vice president of new business development at Today Media who helped launch several publications in the Brandywine region, died on Jan. 25. He was 77.

Born and raised in West Chester, Pa., Tomlinson developed his strong interest in communications from his high school days which led him to graduate from Temple University in 1969. After building a career in marketing and broadcasting through jobs at WJBR 99.5 and Winner Automotive Group, Tomlinson joined Today Media as the director of sales for the publishing company’s flagship magazine, Delaware Today, in 1995.

After a brief hiatus, he rejoined the company as associate publisher of Delaware Today in 2008. Tomlinson worked for Today Media for more than 21 years. At the time of his passing, he was in the middle of winding down his career and was set to formally retire at the end of January this year. While at work, he was known to be quick with a laugh and eager for treats from the company candy jar.

Under his tenure, Tomlinson managed sales but also was a key figure in the launch of Main Line Today in Pennsylvania in 1996 where he eventually became its associate publisher. He also helped establish the Delaware Business Times in 2014 and was heavily involved in the acquisition of the Delaware Valley Italian American Herald.

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Tasked with finding new business leads and turning them into clients, Tomlinson helped build Today Media’s custom print portfolio, bringing clients into the fold such as the Delaware Contractors Association, World Trade Center Delaware, Chester County Chamber of Business and Industry and Chester County Tourism.

He also spearheaded the launch of two specialty publications: Delaware Careers (originally launched as STUFF magazine) and Innovation Delaware.

Charlie Tomlinson, right, and Today Media CEO Rob Martinelli (second from the left) celebrate Delaware Today’s 50th anniversary in 2012. | PHOTO COURTESY OF BILL SULLIVAN

Today Media President and CEO Rob Martinelli said that Tomlinson was very instrumental in the company’s growth, as well as leveraging several networking and civic events in both northern Delaware and West Chester, Pa. to improve his book of business and make connections for the company.

”Charlie knew everybody not only in Delaware but on the Main Line.  I run into people who frequently ask how Charlie is doing as he has mentored or worked with many in the communities he served. He was a true gentleman,” Martinelli said.

Many of his family members, friends, colleagues, and former mentees remember Tomlinson for his uncanny ability to form sincere connections with people wherever he went — and his love of people.

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“He was so good at bringing people together,” said Dave Tiberi, the founder of Donate Delaware and Delaware Decision Makers. “He knew everybody in the room and I do think networking was almost like a social time for him. And it really seemed like so many people would find a way to catch up with him. It was a big part of his life.”

Charlie’s mentorship

Over the last 40 years, Tomlinson had developed strong connections in Delaware through his marketing career, dating back to his time at WJBR as the sales director in the 1980s. When his career path changed to Winner Automotive Group, many former colleagues continue to stay in touch over the years like Delaware Public Media General Manager Pete Booker.

Their relationship spanned decades, dating back when Booker worked at WDEL and WSTW. By the time Booker became the president of Delmarva Broadcasting Company, Tomlinson was at Winner and closely worked on developing a radio campaign. Tomlinson was the voice of many advertisements of that decade.

“He was a true professional with a great marriage of technical and advertising that he combined with skill and a very human touch,” Booker said. “But the more important point about Charlie: his picture is next to the definition of ‘gentleman’ in all the dictionaries. He never let the salesman side overtake his genuine love and respect for all.”

Left to right, Charlie Tomlinson with his daughter Christie and wife Carol. | PHOTO COURTESY OF BILL SULLIVAN

Tomlinson was also an avid mentor to many in the marketing field, ranging from interns who were fresh out of college to coworkers who came through his life over the years. Former interns have said that he was a role model in how to operate in business with his sweet manner and fair dealings.

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One of his former interns at Winner was Monica Weber who now is Director of Marketing at Today Media. She described him as a man you don’t shake a connection with easily.

“He’s someone I leaned on for advice throughout my career,” she said. “I remember when Dover Downs wanted me to move to NASCAR in the 1990s, and I was uncertain. He said, ‘Are you crazy? It’s the fastest growing sport in America, they’re handing you the world on a silver platter.’”

Weber said over the years, Tomlinson became a trusted friend and even attended her wedding. When he and his wife were moving, they found a trove of Christmas cards from the Weber family.

“He was very easy to talk to and he listened to people and paid attention. He always provided sage advice,” she added.

Tomlinson’s genuine interest in taking people under his wing also helped develop many professionals and helped draw talent to Today Media. Michael Reath, the group publisher for Delaware Today and Main Line Today, said that his decades of knowing Tomlinson was a big part of the reason he joined the company in 2018.

“I had the pleasure of knowing, competing against and eventually working with Charlie for over 30 years,” Reath said. “I will miss his advice, his humor, his unmatched networking skills and above all else, his friendship.”

Connections that are unbreakable

Many of Tomlinson’s associates told the Delaware Business Times that his biggest talent was in drawing people together for a cause. He often met Tiberi over coffee to catch up or dinner with Bill Sullivan, a veteran of the hospitality sector, as well as catching Villanova football games.

“He knew everybody. When you walked into a room, you could feel the respect people had for him. I never heard him say a single bad word about anyone and he didn’t carry a grudge, he just moved on. He probably won them over time instead,” Sullivan said.

Charlie Tomlinson, left, and Bill Sullivan were longtime friends. | PHOTO COURTESY OF BILL SULLIVAN

When Tomlinson found a client for business, he cultivated that relationship and, more often than not, turned it into a friendship over a cup of coffee at Brew HaHa! or a glass of red wine. His relationship with the World Trade Center Delaware was just one example. He joined the board in 2017 where he became board chair three years later. His enthusiasm buoyed the organization in its moves to expand to at least four trade missions a year as well as its signature U.S. Africa Business Summit.

“He made it possible for WTC Delaware to be the organization we are today. He was responsible for our partnership with Delaware Business Times which publicizes our magazine, International Delaware and the move to our building near the airport,” World Trade Center Delaware President Carla Stone said. “But Charlie was far more than a leader. He was a mentor and a friend.”

Tiberi, who leads networking group Delaware Decision Makers and organizes many donation drives through another nonprofit, Donate Delaware, said that for a decade, Tomlinson worked with him on setting up panel discussions that drew in top business leaders in the state.

“He just had a way to bring that awareness in the community of what was going on, and he never wanted the spotlight for himself,” he said. “He had a way to just break the ice and relax the tension in the room, no matter how intense the situation.”

What he also brought to the endless networking events he participated in was a sense of style. Tomlinson was never seen in the circles of Delaware or West Chester society without a sharp-dressed coat and tie, almost like it was part of his DNA.

That reputation for being the best dressed in any room led to at least one nickname. Remembering a trip at the Freeman Arts Pavilion that had a white dress code, Tiberi said that while his wife hit up a thrift store for white shoes, Tomlinson’s wife went to an outlet in King of Prussia.

”He said, ‘I got to make sure these shoes don’t get messed up so I can return them, I’d never buy a pair for that much money.’ It was just so funny how he responded, so I just started calling him ‘White Shoes.’ He was able to see the entertainment value in everything. He was so much fun,” Tiberi remembered.

Tomlinson is survived by his wife Carol and daughter Christie Moretti.

Visitation will be held at St. Agnes Parish, 233 W. Gay St., West Chester, Pa.on Feb. 3, 2025, from 9 a.m. until 10:45 a.m. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m., immediately followed by entombment at Saints Peter and Paul Cemetery in Springfield, Pa.

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