wisconsin broadcaster 20 pages_march april 3/7/2019 2:24 PM Page 1 MARCH/APRIL 2019 CHAIR’S COLUMN Most powerful medium ever invented I look forward to the opportunity to their digital marketing and customer Google, and any experience. He said, serve the Wisconsin Broadcasters other search “People talk all the time about local search and Association as your Chair this year. how important it is, and it is. But here is the key engine for that I have been blessed to work in the broadcast business truth: Google, and any other search engine for matter, can’t for the bulk of my career and I have been fortunate to that matter, can’t create demand. It can only fill not have to leave the state to do it. Through my demand that already exists. Here is something create demand. Steve Lavin involvement in the WBA I have developed my most that nobody has done in history: Nobody ever WBA Chair cherished business relationships. It will be tough to goes to Google and says, ‘I don’t know, just surprise me.’ People search follow in the footsteps of Steve Wexler, but I will do my best. for things they are already interested in. So yes, digital is important. Every broadcaster within the borders of this fine state is selling Search is important. But traditional is equally, if not more important some type of digital products along with their traditional offerings because something has to create demand that people search for.” to help grow our advertisers’ businesses. All broadcast content Furniture is organized around TVs in the family room. Radios are in providers are using their airwaves AND digital products to inform and the middle of the center console in vehicles. We have the big sticks in entertain. These digital vehicles allow us to reach our viewers and the sky to distribute our programming and our clients’ messages from listeners at anytime, anywhere. They allow us to develop relationships one to many. Broadcast TV and radio remain the most powerful with our customers and our customers’ customers that were advertising mediums ever invented to efficiently and effectively create unimaginable years ago. But here is what irks me…when a client says, demand for our customers’ products. “I’m shifting my money to search.” Really, a business operator thinks he Don’t let your clients spend a disproportionate amount of their budget or she can grow business on search alone? Please! on the bottom end of the sales funnel. For years to come, our bread will I heard the best quote from Jay Baer, an award winning author, speaker, be buttered by creating demand for products and services for those and trainer who has helped the world’s most iconic brands improve advertisers we serve. Let’s not forget that! PRESIDENT’S COLUMN CONTENTS Lavin named WBA Chair. 2 6 Wisconsin lawmakers cosponsor Local Radio Freedom Act. 3 WBA experiences the future at CES 2019. 3 Winter can’t stop YOU, our Thompson accepts award, praises broadcasters . 3 Wisconsin broadcasters Cold weather fails to bring chill to WBA Winter Conference . 4 Winter Conference Thank Yous . 6 We’re proud to say that appointments and have even met many state Michelle Police body camera proposal approved you, our valued lawmakers in your own studios. You can read more for introduction . 6 Vetterkind, about that on page 4. Afternoon and evening Statewide tests of Tornado CAE Wisconsin broadcasters, Warning EAS code Scheduled for April 1. 7 WBA President Before we even got off the ground to visit our Names in the News. 7 and CEO haven’t let this winter’s federal lawmakers in Washington D.C., we received Educators’ Column: Students ‘learn a extreme cold and word that four of them had already joined a lot’ at WBA Student Seminar . 8 unrelenting snow slow you down. bipartisan group of more than 120 Members of 2019 Student Awards for Excellence Winners. 10 Congress in signing on as ORIGINAL sponsors in The WBA Awards Gala . 11 Our member stations are certainly working hard to supporting the Local Radio Freedom Act. Jowett Fellowship . 11 keep your listeners and viewers safe while at the Please join me in an extra special thank you to Ron Wisconsin broadcasters take their same time getting your messages to elected officials message to Capitol Hill . 12 Kind (D-WI-3), Glenn Grothman (R-WI-6), Sean on the state and federal level. Young Professionals Column. 13 Duffy (R-WI-7), and Mike Gallagher (R-WI-8). Members in the Spotlight . 14-15 We’re grateful for all of our broadcasters who came Since then, Sen. Ron Johnson and newly-elected WBA Foundation Educational Support Grant to the WBA’s 2019 “Polar Vortex” Winter Conference Rep. Bryan Stiel (R-WI-1) have also signed on. See Program taking applications now . 16 despite the bitter cold that struck during the event. more on page 3. Scholarships given to broadcasting students . 17 While most of the State Legislative Day Jacobs Media: How to build consensus Overall, it was a great trip as our broadcasters had appointments set for that day were cancelled, our around your station’s digital goals. 18 productive meetings with our Members of 2019 Roster of WBA Members . 19 broadcasters have been working hard to make new Calendar of Events . 20 Continued on page 2> wisconsin broadcaster 20 pages_march april 3/7/2019 2:24 PM Page 2 Dick Record Family Radio, La Crosse PRESIDENT’S COLUMN Continued from page 1 Congress and their staff members. You can read A few more important notes more about that on page 12. to highlight: Wisconsin Broadcasters Association SAVE THE DATE Officers & Board of Directors Back in Wisconsin, I’ve also been joining other Your WBA Awards Awards members of the Coalition to Repeal Wisconsin’s Gala is getting an OFFICERS 2018-2019 early start this year. Gala Personal Property Tax. Wisconsin Chair of the Board MayBroadcasters 4, 2019 Steve Lavin WBAY-TV, Green Bay The broad coalition of 51 organizations, Taking member Association including your WBA, has been meeting with feedback into account, Vice Chair - Radio, Chair Elect lawmakers about (additional) reform or repeal of the reception begins at 4:30 Chris Bernier Radio Plus, Marinette/Fond du Lac and the awards program will begin promptly at Vice Chair - Television the personal property tax during this coming Don Vesely WMTV-TV, Madison legislative session. Amongst many others, we 5:30. Registration is open on the WBA website. Treasurer Hope to see you there! Lupita Montoto La Movida WLMV Radio, The annual EAS Live Code Test is set for Madison April 11. You should have already Secretary Jan Wade WISN-TV, Milwaukee received information about that via email. Immediate Past Chair You can read more on page 4. Steve Wexler Finally, our very successful WBA Walker Good Karma Brands, Milwaukee Broadcast Management Institute will BOARD OF DIRECTORS take place April 2-4 on the UW- Judson Beck WLAX-TV/WEUX-TV, Rep. Howard Marklein, Sen. Duey Stroebel, and Rep. Bob Kulp Madison campus. La Crosse/Eau Claire The Institute, which is in its 22nd year, is Keith Bratel iHeart Media, Madison recently met with Rep. Howard Marklein, Sen. the first of its kind to be sponsored by a state Juli Buehler WLUK-TV, Green Bay broadcasters association. I would like to extend a Duey Stroebel, and Rep. Bob Kulp. Brian Burns Morgan Murphy Media, Madison heartfelt thank you to Joan Gillman, who has WBA Student Seminar coordinated the program since its inception. Paul Cameron The Family Radio Network, Appleton Herb Cody QueenB Radio, Platteville Congratulations to all the students who were We’re grateful that Joan really likes us and, recognized with awards and scholarships at our despite her Emeritus status at the School of Dave EdwardsWUWM-FM, Milwaukee Public Radio, Milwaukee WBA Student Seminar. Thank you to all the Business, UW-Madison, she’s willing to continue Anna Engelhart WKOW-TV, Madison educators and volunteers who make this annual to work with us on the program, securing top- event such a huge success! notch sessions and speakers each year. Make Aleese Fielder NRG Media-Wausau/ sure to register early for next year’s Institute. Stevens Point, Plover And…an extra special thank you to your WBA JT Koser Koser Radio Group, Rice Lake/Hayward Team (Linda, Liz, and Kyle) for their hard work, It’s been an exciting 2019 so far, and there’s Mike Smith WFRV-TV, Green Bay as well. Check out the photos on pages 8 and 9, much on the horizon. Stay warm and think and list of winners on page 10. spring! Mark Strachota Weigel Broadcasting Co., Milwaukee Chuck Sullivan Entercom Communications, Hales Corners Jeff Welton Nautel, Hackett’s Cove, Nova Scotia Michael Wright Midwest Communications, Lavin named WBA Chair Green Bay/Wausau Ex Officio - NAB Board Steve Lavin, WBAY-TV, Green Bay, took the The following were elected to serve two-year terms on the Tom Walker position of WBA Chair during the WBA Winter Board of Directors: Mid-West Family Broadcasting, Madison Conference Business Luncheon at the Madison Director (SW District) Concourse Hotel. Herb Cody, QueenB Radio, Platteville WBA Team President & CEO Lavin replaces Steve Wexler, Good Karma Director (NW District) Brands, Milwaukee, who finished his term as Michelle Vetterkind, CAE Aleese Fielder, NRG Media, Wausau/Stevens Point [email protected] chair and will now serve as immediate past chair Director (NE District) for the coming year. Vice President - Administration Mike Smith, WFRV-TV, Green Bay Linda Baun [email protected] The rest of the officers for 2019 are as follows: Director (SE District) NCSA/PEP Coordinator Liz Boyd Vice Chair-Radio/Chair-Elect Mark Strachota, WDJT-TV/CBS and Telemundo, Milwaukee [email protected] Chris Bernier, Radio Plus, Marinette/Fond du At-large Directors are appointed by the Board.