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JULY/AUGUST 2020

CHAIR’S COLUMN Broadcasters step up during unbelievable times What a tremendous job Broadcasters You will find a list of recent events and programs that Wisconsin have done during the pandemic. I think it is safe to broadcasters did to their communities on page 7 and you say virtually every and TV station participated can find the complete list at: wi-broadcasters.org/pandemic-help/ in or produced their own community events to The Economics of help residents. Unfortunately, many people furloughed or terminated during in central Wisconsin the pandemic. Many of the broadcasters that I have talked with teamed up with WAOW-TV recognizing hometown participated in the Payroll Protection Plan. If they had furloughed heroes. Many stations assisted local businesses, Chris Bernier anybody, they have brought everybody back. Also, they all spoke some offering free advertising by encouraging very favorably about the PPP. WBA Chair businesses to call in to their morning shows to talk about what was going on at their business. That Hopefully, business will return to normal and there will be no new was just part of what WBEV and WXRO did in Dodge County. They layoffs or terminations. When will the business return? It could be also had a community dance party on March 28. Mid-West Family well into 2021. So many events have been canceled and will not Broadcasting in Madison hosted a free webinar to help local busi- return until next year, like fairs, concerts, and sporting events. nesses coping with the economic downturn. And of course, “Jump If you have ideas that have made up some of this lost revenue, Around,” on Saturday afternoons had the entire state jumping in please share with the WBA so we can pass them on to our mem- their driveways, patios, and yards. A brief respite from the times. bers.

CONTENTS PRESIDENT’S COLUMN Virtual Summer Conference including Virtual Job Fair...... 3 Broadcasters serve communities Paul Jacobs on new audience behaviors resulting from through adversity, uncertainty pandemic...... 4 Broadcasting is hard. And yes…it’s Your WBA is here for all our broadcasters. We are Broadcasters Clinic preview... 5 always been hard. your go-to resource. If you visit the WBA website Michelle you’ll find a compilation of resources to help with Educators Coulmn about You don’t do it because it’s easy. You the pandemic and responding to civil unrest supporting students...... 6 Vetterkind, do it because you truly believe in the along with all the resources you already rely on, CAE public service you provide to your Stations helping communities like our legal hotlines, and modified resources like with COVID-19...... 7 WBA President local communities and your fellow our virtual Summer Conference (keep reading for and CEO Wisconsinites. WBA Awards for Excellence more on that). report and list of winners...... 8-20 But right now, it’s especially hard. If all you need is for someone to listen, we’re here We know that the pandemic and the recent protests Koser leaving Young for that too. Professionals Committee..... 21 have placed an incalculable toll on your ability to do your jobs and stay on the air. Many of you are taking Now, a few more items of note for you: Member News...... 21 tremendous risks to perform your jobs that you prob- Summer Conference goes virtual Results Broadcasting Grant ably never anticipated when you joined this field… Recipient Named...... 23 broadcasting. As you know, your WBA called off its in-person Summer Conference which would have been Calendar of Events...... 16 That said, you’re still here and you’re still broadcasting. held a few weeks ago in La Crosse, but we know In my 25 years with the WBA, I have never (ever) been your need for professional development has likely prouder of our industry. We’re fortunate each day to grown during this challenging time, so we’ve see the positive energy you bring to your communi- compiled a series of exciting events in July to help ties and we do our best to shine a spotlight on those you. We have a two-day virtual sales and manage- amazing examples. ment media summit called “Rising Above” on July Continued on page 2> PRESIDENT’S COLUMN Continued from page 1 22-23, two separate two-day journalism work- agers that requested them. We hope the masks shops with Al Tompkins from Poynter on July are helpful in keeping everyone safer as they 20-21 and July 27-28, and a Virtual Job Fair that bravely serve their communities. will run the week of July 20-24. You can learn More respons- about all of these events on page 3 and register Wisconsin Broadcasters Association es needed for for each on your WBA website. Officers & Board of Directors bylaws vote In June, as part of our WBA Assistance Action for OFFICERS 2020-2021 Station manag- Chair of the Board EEO Compliance, we held an EEO session with ers should have Chris Bernier Radio Plus, Marinette/ David Oxenford. We hope those who attended received notice Fond du Lac found it enlightening. from your WBA Vice Chair - TV, Chair Elect Don Vesely WMTV-TV, Madison Planning underway for Broadcasters Clinic of the need for Vice Chair - Radio We are so very proud of our Broadcasters Clinic your stations’ Lupita Montoto La Movida WLMV Radio, that draws broadcast engineers from through- votes on changes to the WBA bylaws. To make Madison out the country. This year’s Clinic is scheduled a valid vote, we need to hear from at least 80 Treasurer Jan Wade WISN-TV, for Oct. 13-15 at the Madison Marriott West. An percent of member stations. If you haven’t responded, please do. If you have questions, Secretary agenda will come soon but early bird registra- Michael Wright Midwest Communications, please contact Kyle Geissler at kgeissler@ tion is open now! Find more on page 5. Green Bay/Wausau wi-broadcasters.org. Immediate Past Chair Congratulations to WBA Award winners Take pride in the role you play!! Steve Lavin WBAY-TV, Green Bay It was a competitive year for the WBA Awards and while we couldn’t celebrate your amazing I would be remiss not to draw attention to the BOARD OF DIRECTORS work in person, we hope you all got a chance truly amazing efforts you continue to give to Judson Beck WLAX-TV/WEUX-TV, La Crosse/Eau Claire to participate in the online recognition. If you help your communities through this pandemic. Brian Burns , Madison haven’t already, please send us photos with We have some of the latest examples on page Paul Cameron The Network, your awards so we can share with everyone else! 7, but these are just the stories that we’re aware of. We know there are many, many more. Appleton Email: [email protected]. Herb Cody QueenB Radio, Platteville We printed all the award winners in this newslet- It’s an extraordinarily busy time for all of us, but Sean Dwyer WXOW-TV, La Crosse Stevens Point ter starting on page 8. Your WBA Awards Com- please take a moment this week to reflect on Anna Engelhart WKOW-TV, Madison mittee is already working on plans for next year. your role and take pride in it. It doesn’t matter what your job is. Everyone at your station is Aleese Fielder NRG Media-Wausau/ A special thank you to American Awards and Pro- Stevens Point motions which shipped all the awards directly to contributing and everyone should take the same measure of pride. Andy Gille Midwest Communications, the stations this year. It was a huge task. Green Bay Dean Kallenbach , And…congratulations again to all the winners! When we reflect on this time from sometime in the future, I’m confident we will see it as a Senior Regional Manager, Eau Claire WBA ships about 6,000 face masks moment that set a new standard for future Mike Smith WFRV-TV, Green Bay broadcasters. Mark Strachota WDJT-TV/CBS & , Your WBA recently got a shipment of face masks Milwaukee from Wisconsin Emergency Management and We need you. Your communities need you. Stay Colleen Valkoun iHeartMedia, Milwaukee FEMA and shipped about 6,000 to station man- safe. Jeff Welton Nautel, Hackett’s Cove, Nova Scotia Ex Officio - NAB Board Tiffany supports Local Radio Freedom Act Tom Koser Koser Radio Group, Lake Newly elected 7th Congressional District Representative Tom Tiffany has joined as a co- WBA Team sponsor of the Local Radio Freedom Act. The resolutions in the House of Representatives President & CEO and the Senate oppose “any new performance fee, tax, royalty, or other charge” on local Michelle Vetterkind, CAE [email protected] broadcast radio stations. Vice President - Administration Wisconsin Congressman Bryan Steil (R-WI-1), Ron Kind (D-WI-3), Glenn Grothman (R- Linda Baun WI-6), and Mike Gallagher (R-WI-8) and Senator Ron Johnson are among the 217 House [email protected] NCSA/PEP Coordinator cosponsors and 26 Senate cosponsors. Liz Boyd [email protected] Tiffany The Local Radio Freedom Act (LRFA) signals Members of Congress’s opposition to any potential legislation that would impose new performance royalties on broadcast radio Director of Operations and Public Affairs stations for music airplay. Kyle Geissler 2020 Election windows for Lowest Unit Charge [email protected]

Elections Election Dates Window for LUC begins WBA Board minutes are always available Fall Primary Aug. 11, 2020 June 27, 2020 for members. Please email Linda Baun at Fall General Nov. 3, 2020 Sept. 4, 2020 [email protected] to request a copy. Get a 2020 Political Broadcasting Rules Summary on the WBA website. Under “Members Only” look for “Political Broadcasting Resources.” 2 Wisconsin Broadcaster | wi-broadcasters.org FREE VIRTUAL SUMMER CONFERENCE Join these FREE online opportunities in July Register for all three at wi-broadcasters.org TWO VIRTUAL POYNTER WORKSHOPS

July 20-21 and July 27-28, 2020

POWER UP STORYTELLING Learn to "think visually," find tight focus, learn the elements J u l y 2 0 of a great lead, discover the secret of subjective soundbites and natural sound.. POWER UP STORYTELLING PT 2 See the power of surprises, learn why setting matters, see why "active

J u l y 2 1 voice is not a gimmick, learn how to turn important issues into memorable stories and learn the key to "word order" in sentences. LEAD IN UNCERTAIN TIMES Manage newsroom stress and trauma, learn how to communicate J u l y 2 7 across generational divides, discover how to manage your boss. LEAD IN UNCERTAIN TIMES PT 2

J u l y 2 8 Learn how to give feedback that gets results, learn how to lead and Featuring lessons from the best trainers in the business, Rising manage difficult employees. Above will be a day and a half live virtual training summit that will teach, coach, inspire and motivate your members to rise above the challenges of today’s sales environment. During this multi-day summit, we’ll combine our talents and host a Noon EDT virtual cocktail reception with live entertainment and hear your “stories July 20-21 (Power Up Reporting) July 27-28 (Leading in Uncertain Times) from the streets” to help both sellers and managers achieve a higher Al Tompkins / Poynter Institute level of success. Registration for this summit is FREE, complements of the WBA. To regis- ter visit the WBA website. Thursday, July 23 Agenda Summary • 10:45 - 11:30 - Derron & Speed: “Saving Main Street” Wednesday, July 22 • 11:30 - 12:15 - Mark Levy: “Taking Your Words From Influence To Impact” • 2:10 - 2:20 - Special Guest: Mark Gordon • 1 - 1:45 - Sean Luce • 2:20 - 3:30 - Derron & Speed: “Crisis Creates Champions” • 1:45 - 2:30 - Chris Lytle: “Building Relationships Your • 3:30 - 4:15 - Laurie Kahn: “The 4 R’s Of Recruiting In The Competitors Can’t Steal” New Normal” • 2:30 - 3:30 - Gerry Tabio: “From Ideas To Results” • 4:15 - 6 - Virtual Cocktail Hour: LIVE Music & Stories From The Streets

Join the Virtual Job Fair at BroadcastersVirtualJobFair.com from July 20-24 This virtual job fair can provide Job seekers Thank you to our partner your station with a solution for From Monday, July 20 through recruiting online to satisfy part of Friday July 24, visit the website your FCC EEO requirement. BroadcastersVirtualJobFair.com WBA VIRTUAL To register for the job fair, fill out to see all of the job openings from the form on the WBA website. our participating radio and over- JOB FAIR The cost for each attendee is the-air stations. $75 per exempt or non-exempt Find the job that’s right for you Station Employment Unit (SEU) and contact the station with for members. questions and/or your resume. It’s Registration closes July 15. that easy!

Wisconsin Broadcaster | July/August 2020 3 FROM THE JACOBS MEDIA TEAM AS PART OF THE JACOBS MEDIA/WBA DIGITAL PARTNERSHIP Broadcasters should adapt to working from home phenomenon No matter where you live in the US, the past 60 days have been unlike anything we’ve ever experienced. It seems that every business has been affected, and broadcasters are no exception. But while the actual process of creating a broadcast has changed (who ever imagined doing a morning show from the bedroom or a weather forecast from the backyard?), things haven’t been entirely bad for the consumption of media. In fact, Paul Jacobs people working from home has been a good thing for listening to radio or watching TV. As things begin to return to “normal,” it’s clear the way we work and com- What devices are people using to consume radio while working from mute will remain in flux for some time to come. As a result, it’s important home? This question leads us to a key finding from the survey. While for broadcasters to understand how the audience is consuming your these are more specific to radio, they raise similar implications for TV. content and on which devices. Our COVID-19 survey found that two-in-ten (22 percent) respondents At the end of March we fielded the first of two national studies of the don’t have a working radio at home (have you tried to buy a radio at radio listening audience to help identify these changes (methodology Best Buy lately?). We all understand the car is the number one listening provided at the end of this article). Because this has been a fluid situation, location for radio, and at-home listening has been declining. So, what we were back in the field in mid-May to see how things have changed. happens to radio listening if people are spending less time in their car, The results are stunning and provide insight to a potential future. Here’s and if they are listening to radio at home, what devices are they using? what we learned from our second COVID-19 study: Working from home is going to become permanent for many. When the survey was fielded, nearly two-thirds (63 percent) of commercial ra- dio listeners were at home due to state rules. But even as they’ve begun to return to work in many markets, more than one-third (35 percent) pre- fer to continue to work from home, and another one-in-ten (7 percent) believe their employer will want them to continue working from home. And don’t forget the two-in-ten (19 percent) who were already working from home before the pandemic.

In other words, this is probably not the time to buy stock in a commer- Even while stuck at home, the car still leads, but this number is around 10 cial real estate company, because working from home is going to be a points lower than what we normally see. The big change is how radio is permanent fixture for some time, and the impact on media consumption being consumed at home – streaming the station’s website (24 percent), is going to look different than pre-pandemic. streaming on the station’s mobile app (22 percent) and streaming on a smart speaker like an Amazon Alexa (14 percent) are significant. In fact, the first two items are nearly as high as listening to a regular radio at home (27 percent). This is a significant point for radio broadcasters – if working from home is here to stay, creating and maintaining a quality streaming strategy by investing in mobile apps and smart speaker “skills” has become imper- ative. Maybe before COVID-19 you could rationalize not making the investment, but today’s reality moves this from a luxury to a necessity in order to maintain (or hopefully grow) listening levels. These are challenging times, as your customers deal with a lot of chal- This suggests the following for broadcasters to consider: lenges. But by understanding your own businesses and how the model 1. What is morning drive? is faring up and evolving, broadcasters can emerge from this episode in 2. If people aren’t driving to work, what are the implications strong shape, and can benefit greatly over the long term. Investing in existing scheduling philosophies? What’s the value of a traffic report? digital distribution is an important step, but so is understanding working 3. What is “at-work listening” and “daytime programming?” from home impacts programming and revenue opportunities. And there are many other questions as we try to figure all of this out. Hoping you all stay healthy and successful during these trying times. Media usage is up across the board. It’s not surprising consumption The WBA Digital Hotline is a free service of the WBA. Direct any questions of all forms of media – audio and video – are up since people have spent related to digital or social media to: Paul Jacobs at [email protected]. so much time at home. While it shouldn’t surprise anyone, Netflix has The COVID-19 study was fielded May 12-14, 2020. Respondents are com- exploded, as people are binge-watching like crazy. But beyond that, local prised of listeners of 98 commercial radio stations in the US and , and radio and television stations have benefitted as well: responded to an email or social media posting to participate in the survey. his is an opt-in web survey and does not represent all commercial radio listeners, and it is not stratified to the US/Canadian population. 4 Wisconsin Broadcaster | wi-broadcasters.org 2020 Broadcasters Clinic is on Safety measures planned for October event Register Now The WBA Broadcasters Clinic held every October in Madison is sched- wi-broadcasters.org/clinic/ uled to take place Oct. 13-15. The WBA’s No. 1 goal is to present a safe Partner Sponsors environment, perform a fan-tas-tic Clinic for broadcast engineers, and do what we do best! Like our partners in the industry, the naviga- tion to a new normal is not a clear path. How- ever, as we come together to honor a commit- ment to the engineering and the broadcast communities, together, we can offer the BEST opportunities and the BEST WBA Broadcasters Clinic on October 13-15. With a 64 year history for the Clinic, and to those we serve, we are moving ahead. For additional information with regards to the Clinic, contact Linda Baun at [email protected] or direct at 608-729-1480. Sponsorships and We look forward to coming together in October. exhibitor space still available!

WPR to end ‘Old Time ’ Waupaca LPFM station changes formats Wisconsin Public Radio is ending production A city-owned LPFM in Waupaca of the long-running program “Old Time Radio is changing formats after another Drama” citing concerns about racist and sex- Waupaca station changed formats. ist material in the programs which were first Waupaca Radio (WILM-LP) announced recorded in the 1930s to 1960s. on its Facebook page that it was switch- “Despite significant effort by our staff over ing to an “Adult Alternative” format the years, it has been nearly impossible to find historic programs during weekdays, overnights, all day Saturday, and Sunday afternoon without offensive and outdated content,” WPR Director Mike and evening. Crane wrote in a letter to listeners. “And, ultimately, these pro- “We have found a big void of contemporary music on the local radio grams don’t represent the values of WPR and The Ideas Network’s dial (think music from the last 20 years to today),” the Facebook post focus on public service through news and information.” read. “Over the five year’s we’ve been on the air we have heard a lot of Beginning June 20 the program will be replaced by “PRX Remix” comments about what music people like and what they want to get which showcases some of the best stories, , and doc- from listening to the radio and we have crafted a new of music umentaries from independent creators and the PRX unique to our area.” network Radiotopia. The station said recent format changes by other stations meant that “I want to thank our host, Norman Gilliland, and a number of oth- its playlist was overlapping with other stations. er staff and volunteers who made the show possible every week,” “We have a number of goals at Waupaca Radio and a couple of those Crane wrote. “You will continue to hear Norman on ‘The Midday,’ include to provide local information through entertainment and to ‘University of the Air’ and ‘Chapter A Day.’” provide a unique listening experience to our area residents while Resler provides one-on-one advice being complementary to the other local radio stations, not compet- ing with them.” Some WBA members got FREE one-on-one advice on June 25 from Seth Resler, Online Strategist for Radio from Jacobs Media about how The station will continue to air its specialty programs, local music, and to update their digital strategy for the pandemic. Thanks to Seth for cover local meetings and events. his time and expertise. If you want a session with Seth, contact your WBA! Army National Guard salutes grads The Wisconsin Army National Guard is drawing atten- tion to the hard work of the graduating class of 2020 for showing resilience during this historic time for our country. The ARNG ran congratulatory message for the grad- uates in a nationwide radio campaign through the Public Education Program (PEP) through June 30. Thank you, Wisconsin Army National Guard for your critical work serving Wisconsin and for your partnership.

Wisconsin Broadcaster | July/August 2020 5 Educators Column Eighteen hours a week at $9.25 an hour Note: I started work- response? announcer at WHBY in Appleton to your investment in them ing on this article long Him: He said not to worry (where my hourly rate would be through your tax dollars that before the coronavirus since he had a friend $12.72 in today’s money), I was support the UW System. pandemic began. who ran a restaurant working toward my MBA and • More and more are now I fully understand nearby and he said driving to Madison to attend choosing to go into the that many stations he could get me some night classes at the UW’s Gradu- still-new field of social media are in crisis mode at hours there. ate School of Business. My pro- marketing and analytics. gram director asked me about present with revenue Seriously. Some landed positions at challenges, hiring my course that semester, which places like Kohl’s, Milwaukee Randall Davidson I was peeved at this. I will point freezes and even was strategic planning. He said Tools, the Billboard Music out that $9.25 an hour is the UW-Oshkosh layoffs. However, that sounded interesting and he Awards, Cosmopolitan starting pay for high schoolers the issues I’ve raised thought he’d like to take a class Magazine, FX Networks, etc., without any experience at many here predate all of this and will remain when like that. He said “What does while others indeed started fast food restaurants. A lot of my things return to normal. that cost? Like 50-60 dollars?” in local broadcasting before student leaders I said no, it was I’ve wrapped up my dozen years jumping to this field just have off-campus $500 and the book as a university instructor and to have a living wage. One jobs at Kwik Trip I worry that alone was $120. It 34 years in broadcasting and of my former students was where the starting was an eye-open- have come away with a sense broadcasters in working FULL-TIME in local pay is now more er for him as a of a troubling trend that I feel TV news as a producer and than $12/hour. Wisconsin are person who had the need to mention. I talked quit to pursue higher pay as losing out on several college about it at the WBA summer I can already hear a social media practitioner. students like me conference a few years ago. the response that great potential She told me that her friends as part-timers. In I also raised these concerns you want to send were always asking her employees... today’s money again recently with some of the that probably why she never could buy a the course would leaders at WBA and they urged started early in round of when they be $1,077, but me to share it here. paragraph two: got together, adding she “But they can always go into UW-Madison has should be able to because I worry that broadcasters in Wis- sales!” since substantially hiked gradu- she worked in television. consin are losing out on great ate business tuition. That single She said she told them the potential employees because This is a tired rejoinder and is three-credit course now costs reason she couldn’t afford to of the typically low pay for en- not useful for several reasons: $4,578. Gone are the days when was “because she worked in try-level broadcasting produc- • It’s the answer to a different a recent grad could hang on at television.” tion positions. I’ve seen some question and is an attempt an entry level broadcasting job of my very best students either at changing the subject. The at low pay to start their career. • More than a few have found take a job outside the industry, question is not ‘how can The student loans are looming. jobs in sports production. or worse, they work for a broad- Some are at sports video you make a good living at a What’s also different now is that caster for a short period before operations like Fox Sports, broadcast station?’ Rather, these students don’t HAVE to having to leave for higher-pay- Ming Entertainment, Flo it’s ‘why is the pay so poor work for a terrestrial Wisconsin ing positions elsewhere just Sports, etc. while others for production people at broadcaster and have a lot of to survive. In both cases, they have joined professional broadcast stations?’ different options that are either never return to our industry. baseball teams. There’s a • It’s based on a false prem- media enterprises or media-ad- UWO alum in media at the The title of this article was from ise—that these graduates jacent where they can use Tampa Bay Rays and one a discussion I had with one of want to work at a broadcast- their skills and make lots more who just moved on from a my students who served as our ing company and the role money. Here are the avenues social media post with the radio station news director. does not matter to them. my graduates take that don’t Detroit Tigers, while still oth- During his freshman year, he include working in traditional ers have found employment asked me what he needed to • Moreover, the students broadcasting, and like it or not, at the minor league level. be successful and he took all already know that sales can your station has to compete of it to heart: good student in pay well. Some do choose with these options to attract • Many have figured a person- classes, trying a lot of different that route. At UW-Oshkosh, and retain employees: al way to pursue their vision things, excelling in an intern- 237 students have received in media through podcast- • A not-insignificant num- ship, becoming a student leader, the WBA Foundation-spon- ing. Often, this starts while ber head immediately to putting his work out for award sored Radio Marketing they’re still in college and Hollywood and find work on competitions, etc. He came Professional Certification their technical savvy contin- cable or network television by my office shortly after he since 2009. ues to dazzle me. Many of programs. If you’ve seen graduated to say he had been these are very well done and This discussion is not new. Flip or Flop or Guy’s Gro- offered a job at a radio station have won statewide awards. One thing that’s different now cery Games or Botched or as a news director. He turned it Some have even solicited is that these students have a Highlander or Big Brother down because they’d offered and signed sponsors (hey, substantial financial burden or My Giant Life or Drunk this college graduate 18 hours they’re in sales!) and one after graduation through History or even the truly odd a week at $9.25 an hour. The student of mine who’s still in student loan debt. Full-time in- Doctor Pimple Popper, you’re conversation went like this after college is being courted by state undergraduate tuition at watching the work of my he told me the pay: UWO this past year was $3,829 a major station group that former students. One is even wants to syndicate his pod- Me: What’d you say? per semester. I think a lot of post-production supervisor cast and provide him with broadcast leaders in Wisconsin for NBC-Universal. They’re Him: I told him I couldn’t are unaware of this. My own national ad revenue. live on that. all taxpayers now experience bears this out. In and enriching out-of-state What do these groups of stu- Me: That’s the right an 1988 (!) when I was a part time swer. What was their companies, and it’s thanks Continued on page 22> 6 Wisconsin Broadcaster | wi-broadcasters.org COVID-19 Response Wisconsin broadcasters play critical role in COVID-19 pandemic Wisconsin’s radio and TV stations are helping their communities respond to the medical, economic, and mental strain caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Broadcasters take seriously their commitment to serving their local communities and helping Wisconsin stay healthy and safe. In additional to regular news updates, here are some examples of the work being done around the state. WOGO in Chippewa Falls produced a “Drive-In Six iHeartMedia radio stations in Madison Graduation” for the local high school. More than gathered four trailers full of food during a food 300 seniors and their families lined up in deco- drive in May. Listeners left donations at Metro rated vehicles at the fairgrounds. WOGO aired Market and Pick N’ Save stores and the stations recorded addresses for grads during the journey delivered the food to Selfless Ambition and the to the high school to receive diplomas. Goodman Community Center for distribution. VCY America aired a graduation special honor- Madison TV station WKOW-TV raised nearly ing high school seniors. The special included a $30,000 for food pantries through an 18-hour call-in portion allowing grads to give a one-min- text-a-thon. The Feeding Hope event in May 14 ute challenge to their class. There was also a was aimed at supporting local food pantries segment for parents and grandparents to call in struggling to meet increased food demands with a one-minute challenge to the graduates. due to the pandemic. Eagle River radio station WRJO aired a concert Merrill radio station Bluejay 96.3 (WJMT) host- featuring local artists to benefit a charity that ed a concert of pre-recorded performances to feeds school-aged children from food insecure raise money for local food pantries. The three- homes. The concert aired May 23 and raised hour “Hometown Concert for the Cause” aired more than $40,000 for “F.O.R.K” (Feed Our Rural May 8 and raised more than $11,000 at multiple Kids). live remote broadcast locations. guard Pat Connaughton host- The La Crosse Media Group embraced the spirit ed Capture Sports Marketing’s “Athletes Doing of Giving Tuesday on May 5 by hosting a mini Good Radiothon” on ESPN Wisconsin and raised radiothon with Gundersen Health System to $205,859 during an 11-hour event on May 22. raise $21,300 to support caregivers and local Money was raised through donations, a silent COVID-19 research. All five stations contributed auction, and the purchase of buy-it-now items. airtime leading up to the event. Midwest Communications radio stations and WAOW-TV in Wausau are running a Hometown Hero campaign to honor front line workers. The stations are offering a prize package to winners to help them cover food, expenses, and enter- tainment, while they are doing what they do. A radio station in Wausau/Stevens Point is honoring local 2020 graduates by letting listen- ers send south outs on air and online. Hot 96.7 (WHTQ-FM) shared dedications throughout the month of May to give these deserving gradu- ates the recognition they deserve. WLDY and WJBL in Ladysmith hosted a Face- book giveaway that started with five $100 gro- cery gift cards. It grew to 15 $100 gift cards as SOLDIERS CONDUCTING COVID-19 the grocery store matched the stations’ five gift RESPONSE TRAINING cards and other a local accounting firm pitched in another five cards. 105.7 WAPL in Appleton is offering the “Get a Little, Give a Little” campaign for listeners to get a chance to win a WAPL rewards card and T-shirt, which also includes a $50 station dona- tion to the local food bank Feeding America of Eastern Wisconsin. All six Woodward stations in Appleton are providing local graduates with “Senior Shout Outs.” Families and friends were encouraged to submit a picture of their senior with a shoutout Visit nationalguard.com message to be shared. WHBY aired some of the class speakers’ speeches. Wisconsin Broadcaster | July/August 2020 7 Wisconsin Broadcasters Association wards A For Excellence

WBA Awards announced online, shipped to winners Like so many WBA Awards presentations of the past, the 2019 WBA WBA Facebook page. A compilation of all the acceptance speeches is Awards will go down in the record books. We won’t soon forget the year featured on the WBA homepage. The awards were shipped to stations a pandemic moved the WBA Gala and award celebrations online. directly by American Awards and Promotions. The WBA hosted an online gala held over three mornings, May 21-23, to We want to see your awards. Please be sure to share your photos or vid- give stations a chance to celebrate their amazing work. Winners celebrat- eos celebrating your victories by sending them to kgeissler@wi-broad- ed with their fellow broadcasters on social media. casters.org or tweeting them with #wbagala. We’ll be sure to share them with everyone else. You’ll find some of the photos we’ve already received The online presentations were streamed on Facebook Live and hosted by near the end of the list of the awards on the following pages. WBA President and CEO Michelle Vetterkind and Hall of Fame Broadcast- er, Lindsay Wood Davis, Chair Emeritus of the WBA Awards Committee. The WBA Awards Virtual Gala is supported by WBA partner Wisconsin Army National Guard. Thank you! Thank you as well to the Madison Marriott West, Tri-Marq, and Studio Gear for your continued support of the gala. And of course, thank you to the WBA Awards Committee, who led the effort to produce an alternative awards The results of all the WBA awards are in the following pages and on the program. WBA website at: Entries for the 2020 wi-broadcasters.org/awards Awards will open The webpage also includes links to all the winning entries. on Dec. 1. The awards for Station of the Year were announced on May 23. Winning stations shared their acceptance speeches, which were posted to the Sports Reporting Large Market Television 1st Place WDJT TV, Scott Grodsky Composite 2nd Place WISN TV, Stephanie Sutton Morning Newscast 3rd Place WISN TV, Stephen Watson 1st Place WITI TV, FOX6 WakeUp News 2nd Place WTMJ TV, Live at Daybreak: Winter Storm Warning Significant Community Impact 3rd Place WISN TV, 12 News This Morning 1st Place WMVS TV, Kids in Crisis: You’re Not Alone 2nd Place WITI TV, Contact 6 Evening Newscast 3rd Place WISN TV, Pet Walk Milwaukee 1st Place WISN TV, 12 News At 5:00: Police Classroom Shooting 2nd Place WISN TV, 12 News At 5:00: Freeway Crash, Roadway Specialty Programming Shooting & Rodent Restaurant Shutdown 1st Place WDJT TV, Brew Crew Preview 3rd Place WTMJ TV, Live at 6:00: Officer Rittner Killed in Line of 2nd Place WITI TV, Perry’s People Duty 3rd Place WISN TV, Season To Celebrate Sportscast Image Promotion 1st Place WISN TV, Stephanie Sutton 1st Place WDJT TV, CBS 58 Milwaukee Image 2nd Place WITI TV, Tim Van Vooren 2nd Place WISN TV, Station Image 2019 3rd Place WITI TV, Kaitlin Sharkey 3rd Place WISN TV, 10PM Image 2019 Weathercast Weather Promotion 1st Place WITI TV, Tom Wachs 1st Place WTMJ TV, Get to Know Niz 2nd Place WISN TV, Lindsey Slater 2nd Place WISN TV, Baden Weather Proof 2019 3rd Place WDJT TV, Justin Thompson-Gee 3rd Place WDJT TV, Kids Weather Promo Continuing Coverage Sports Promotion 1st Place WISN TV, Vape Crisis In Wisconsin 1st Place WISN TV, Big 12 Sports Saturday Image 2nd Place WTMJ TV, Vaping Crisis 2nd Place WTMJ TV, Montee Ball Comes Clean 3rd Place WTMJ TV, Austin’s Story 3rd Place WTMJ TV, Former Packer William Henderson... Bullied! Spot News Topical Promotion 1st Place WISN TV, Officer Killed 1st Place WISN TV, Project Community Promotion 2nd Place WITI TV, Waukesha South High School Shooting 2nd Place WYTU TV, T63 Pill Scam 3rd Place WITI TV, Waukesha County Standoff 3rd Place WTMJ TV, Vaping Crisis News Writing Public Service Announcement 1st Place WISN TV, World War II Vet “Living History” 1st Place WYTU TV, Hispanic Professionals of Greater Milwaukee 2nd Place WISN TV, Dad Rock Radio 2nd Place WDJT TV, Cesar Chavez Event: Salas 3rd Place WITI TV, Feast of Crispian 3rd Place WISN TV, Go Red 2019 Hard News/Investigative Commercial or Underwriting Announcement 1st Place WTMJ TV, Loophole in Wisconsin Law 1st Place WTMJ TV, Sendiks: There’s More In Store 2nd Place WISN TV, Police Suspended For “Ignored” Call 2nd Place WYTU TV, Heiser Chevrolet 3rd Place WITI TV, Denied: The Governor’s Emails 3rd Place WDJT TV, Summerfest Big Backyard 2019 Series or Documentary Website 1st Place WITI TV, Cold Case 1st Place WITI TV, FOX6Now.com 2nd Place WMVS TV, 10thirtysix - A Hope for Tomorrow 2nd Place WDJT TV, CBS58.com 3rd Place WMVS TV, Black Nouveau - We Got This! 3rd Place WISN TV, WISN.com Feature Web Story 1st Place WYTU TV, Homeless Special Shelter 1st Place WISN TV, Off-duty Racine officer killed in bar shooting, 2nd Place WISN TV, Tightrope of Trust manhunt underway 3rd Place WTMJ TV, Zoo Doo 2nd Place WTMJ TV, Danger Zones: A river of drunk driving runs through Milwaukee County Live On-Scene Reporting 3rd Place WTMJ TV, CBD buyer beware: Regulations may be 1st Place WDJT TV, Pauleen Le needed in hemp oil industry 2nd Place WITI TV, Ashley Sears 3rd Place WISN TV, Hannah Hilyard Use of Social Media 1st Place WITI TV, FOX6 News Digital Team Use of Video 2nd Place WYTU TV, Milwaukee Weather Alert 1st Place WDJT TV, Labor of Love 3rd Place WISN TV, WISN Best Use of Social Media 2nd Place WDJT TV, Moment In Wisconsin Wisconsin Broadcaster | July/August 2020 9 3rd Place WTMJ TV, First Responder Close Calls Original Digital Content Series or Documentary 1st Place WTMJ TV, My Block: Welcome to Ms. Anne’s 1st Place PBS Wisconsin, Mike Leckrone: Wisconsin’s Showman neighborhood 2nd Place WMTV TV, Making A Difference 2nd Place WITI TV, Open Record 3rd Place WLUK TV, The Missing and the Murdered 3rd Place WITI TV, Deff-initely Milwaukee Feature Online Personality 1st Place WISC TV, Lorraine’s Journey 1st Place WISN TV, Cherney Amhara 2nd Place PBS Wisconsin, Adaptive Skier 2nd Place WISN TV, Lindsey Slater 3rd Place WKOW TV, Dominic’s Ripple 3rd Place WDJT TV, CBS 58 Meteorologist Justin Thompson-Gee Live On-Scene Reporting Online Breaking News Coverage 1st Place WLUK TV, Justin Steinbrinck 1st Place WITI TV, Jayme Closs 2nd Place WMTV TV, NBC15’s Amelia Jones 2nd Place WDJT TV, Abducted teen Jayme Closs found alive 3rd Place WKOW TV, Caroline Bach 3rd Place WTMJ TV, Jayme Closs Found Safe Use of Video 1st Place PBS Wisconsin, A LEGO Love Story 2nd Place PBS Wisconsin, History Diver Medium Market Television 3rd Place WMTV TV, The “It” Factor Morning Newscast Sports Reporting 1st Place WKOW TV, 27 News at 11am: July 19, 2019 1st Place PBS Wisconsin, Teen Archer 2nd Place WISC TV, Sun Prairie Strong 2nd Place PBS Wisconsin, Snowshoe Baseball 3rd Place WBAY TV, Action 2 News This Morning: 3rd Place WKOW TV, Lance Veeser November 6, 2019 Significant Community Impact Evening Newscast 1st Place WMTV TV, NBC15’s Share Your Holidays 1st Place WMTV TV, NBC15 News at 10: July 10 2nd Place WBAY TV, CP Telethon 2nd Place WKOW TV, 27 News at 10pm: July 10 , 2019 3rd Place WKOW TV, Farm Aid Telethon 3rd Place WISC TV, MG&E Downtown Fire Specialty Programming Sportscast 1st Place PBS Wisconsin, Music from Madeline Island 1st Place WKOW TV, WKOW Sports 2nd Place WMTV TV, NBC15 Sounds of the Season 2nd Place WBAY TV, Chris Roth 3rd Place WBAY TV, First Alert Weather Winter Preview 3rd Place WMTV TV, NBC15 Sports Image Promotion Weathercast 1st Place WISC TV, News 3 Now - “Change 2019” 1st Place WISC TV, Chris Reece 2nd Place WKOW TV, 27 News Movie Trailer 2nd Place WBAY TV, Brad Spakowitz 3rd Place WKOW TV, 80’s Throwback 3rd Place WLUK TV, Justin Steinbrinck Weather Promotion Continuing Coverage 1st Place WKOW TV, Storm Track Code Names 1st Place WMTV TV, Sun Prairie Stronger 2nd Place WISC TV, First Alert Weather - “Accurate” 2nd Place WMTV TV, Paradigm Workplace Shooting 3rd Place WBAY TV, Keep You Safe 3rd Place WBAY TV, Appleton Firefighter Shooting Sports Promotion Spot News 1st Place WMTV TV, Pro Football Challenge 2019 1st Place WGBA TV, Jayme Closs Found Alive 2nd Place WBAY TV, Cover 2 2nd Place WISC TV, Jayme Closs Found Alive 3rd Place WMTV TV, Friday Night Football Blitz 2019 3rd Place WKOW TV, Substation Fire Topical Promotion News Writing 1st Place WKOW TV, Protecting Our Kids Online 1st Place WMTV TV, Love is in the Lake 2nd Place WMTV TV, Toxic Trend 2nd Place WBAY TV, One Day, Two Hearts, Triple Bypasses 3rd Place PBS Wisconsin, Mike Leckrone: Wisconsin’s Showman 3rd Place WBAY TV, Hero Student Shelters Classmates Public Service Announcement Hard News/Investigative 1st Place WKOW TV, Senior Brat Delivery Day 1st Place WMTV TV, Human Trafficking: A Survivor’s Story 2nd Place WMSN TV, Lions Eye Bank - Dawn Lyons-Wood 2nd Place WBAY TV, Summit Contracting Fraud Testimonial 3rd Place WKOW TV, Red Flags Missed Before Killing 3rd Place WLUK TV, Suicide Prevention

10 Wisconsin Broadcaster | wi-broadcasters.org Commercial or Underwriting Announcement Continuing Coverage 1st Place WISC TV, Friends Of Carbone - “Andy North” 1st Place WSAW TV, Bunker Fugitive 2nd Place WLUK TV, Lamers Dairy Family Farms 2nd Place WAOW TV, Severe Storms, Tornados Ravage Area 3rd Place WBAY TV, Watter Plumbing 3rd Place WAOW TV, Cemetery Shooting Website Spot News 1st Place WLUK TV, FOX 11 Online 1st Place WEAU TV, Lake Hallie Homicide 2nd Place WFRV TV, WeAreGreenBay.com 2nd Place WAOW TV, Cemetery Shooting 3rd Place PBS Wisconsin, WisContext 3rd Place WSAW TV, Pine Grove Cemetery Shooting Web Story News Writing 1st Place WFRV TV, Local 5 goes to boot camp 1st Place WKBT TV, Battle of Emotions 2nd Place WFRV TV, A Day in the Life: Covering the Green Bay 2nd Place CBS3 - Duluth Superior, Church Piano Move in Day Packers on gameday 3rd Place KBJR TV, Dog Tags Returned 3rd Place WBAY TV, Making a Murderer: Brendan Dassey’s attorneys ask for clemency Hard News/Investigative 1st Place WSAW TV, Crossing the Line Use of Social Media 2nd Place WSAW TV, Tariffs and Farmer Suicide 1st Place WKOW TV, Mysterious death in County 3rd Place WKBT TV, America’s Dairyland-News 8 Investigates 2nd Place WMTV TV, NBC15 Madison Instagram page 3rd Place WMTV TV, NBC15 Madison Facebook page Series or Documentary 1st Place WSAW TV, Marathon County Foster Care Original Digital Content 2nd Place WXOW TV, Hooked to HEAL 1st Place PBS Wisconsin, Kindness in the Classroom 3rd Place WKBT TV, Community Rising-One Year Later 2nd Place WKOW TV, Anniversary of firefighters death Facebook live broadcast Feature 3rd Place WISC TV, News 3 Now Alexa Updates 1st Place WXOW TV, Soren’s Journey 2nd Place CBS3 - Duluth Superior, Building Boats, Building Online Personality Community 1st Place WKOW TV, Rebecca Ribley, Wake Up Wisconsin anchor 3rd Place WSAW TV, You Know You’re From...Edgar: Officer 2nd Place WBAY TV, Tia Johnson Aaron Karlen 3rd Place WKOW TV, Meteorologist John Zeigler Live On-Scene Reporting Online Breaking News Coverage 1st Place WEAU TV, Sarah Winkelmann Live Compilation 1st Place WKOW TV, Missing teen escapes captor after 88 days 2nd Place WAOW TV, Ally Peters 2nd Place WKOW TV, Substation explosion 3rd Place WAOW TV, Rashad Williams 3rd Place WISC TV, Downtown Fire Livestream Use of Video 1st Place WSAW TV, You Know You’re From..Wittenberg: Resch Lanes Smal Market Television 2nd Place WKBT TV, Eye Piece-Trap shoot 3rd Place WEAU TV, A Distinguished Career Morning Newscast 1st Place WEAU TV, Hello Wisconsin: November 27, 2019 Sports Reporting 2nd Place WSAW TV, Sunrise 7: February 22, 2019 1st Place WKBT TV, Ray Felton 3rd Place WAOW TV, Treacherous Travel 2nd Place WXOW TV, Ryan Bott: The Only Way Is Up 3rd Place KBJR TV, Blind Golfer Gets Hole-in-One Evening Newscast 1st Place CBS3 - Duluth Superior, CBS 3 News at 6: Significant Community Impact National Night Out 1st Place WSAW TV, Buddy Check 7 2nd Place WQOW TV, Live at Five 2nd Place WAOW TV, Jefferson Awards 3rd Place WAOW TV, July Storms 3rd Place WEAU TV, Distracted Driving Sportscast Specialty Programming 1st Place WSAW TV, Reece Van Haaften 1st Place WSAW TV, The Home Enhancement Show 2nd Place WEAU TV, SportScene 13 2nd Place WJFW TV, WJFW-TV Presents: Up North at 4 LSW Marathon County 3rd Place WAOW TV, Brad Hanson 3rd Place WEAU TV, UCP Telethon Weathercast Image Promotion 1st Place WEAU TV, Meteorologist Darren Maier 1st Place WXOW TV, The Whole Story 2nd Place WZAW TV, Chad Franzen 2nd Place WSAW TV, One News Station 3rd Place WKBT TV, Meteorologist Michelle Poedel Compilation 3rd Place WSAW TV, Everywhere I Go Wisconsin Broadcaster | July/August 2020 11 Weather Promotion 1st Place WAOW TV, Record Breaking Snow LargeMarket Radio 2nd Place WXOW TV, Snow For Sale 3rd Place WSAW TV, Snowiest Month Ever News & Talk Sports Promotion Morning Radio Show 1st Place WSAW TV, Hilight Zone - Makeup Room 1st Place WTMJ AM, Wisconsin’s Morning News: January 11, 2nd Place WEAU TV, SportScene 13 Football Highlights 2019 3rd Place WAOW TV, Sports Express 2nd Place WRRD AM, The Earl Ingram Show: August 10, 2019 Topical Promotion 3rd Place WLSP LP, Good Morning Sun Prairie 1st Place WSAW TV, Back to School Radio Show 2nd Place WAOW TV, Babysitter Warning 1st Place WTMJ AM, Wisconsin’s Afternoon News: 3rd Place WAOW TV, Plasma Shortage September 11, 2019 Public Service Announcement 2nd Place WKTI FM, Homer & Gabe 3rd Place WKTI FM, The Power Lunch with Greg Matzek 1st Place WSAW TV, Meet the Miracle Kids - Morgan 2nd Place WXOW TV, Alliance to HEAL Newscast 3rd Place WSAW TV, Extra Life 1st Place WTMJ AM, Wisconsin’s Morning News: January 8, 2019 Commercial or Underwriting Announcement 2nd Place WTMJ AM, Wisconsin’s Morning News: January 30, 2019 1st Place WSAW TV, Weinbrenner Shoes Sportscast 2nd Place WLAX TV, Blue Moon Restaurant 1st Place WTMJ AM, Bryan Dee 3rd Place WEAU TV, Eau Claire Children’s Theatre - Peter Pan 2nd Place WTMJ AM, Greg Matzek Website Continuing Coverage 1st Place WAOW TV, Toys for Tots 1st Place WUWM FM, End Of The JobLines 2nd Place CBS3 - Duluth Superior, CBS3Duluth.com 2nd Place WTMJ AM, Polar Vortex 3rd Place KBJR TV, KBJR 6 3rd Place WUWM FM, Palmyra-Eagle Dissolution Web Story Spot News 1st Place WSAW TV, Wanted Man Hides in Bunker for Three 1st Place WTMJ AM, Death of Officer Rittner Years to Avoid Arrest 2nd Place WTMJ AM, Waukesha South School Shooting 2nd Place WEAU TV, Officer involved shooting at the Indianhead 3rd Place WORT FM, UW-Madison Reinstates Multicultural Motel Learning Community House Fellow 3rd Place WEAU TV, Bloomer Sewer Dispute News Writing Use of Social Media 1st Place WISN AM, The Cross Still Stands 1st Place WAOW TV, April Flooding 2nd Place WUWM FM, Bird-Friendly 2nd Place WEAU TV, WEAU Social Media 3rd Place WTMJ AM, Dad Rock Radio 3rd Place WAOW TV, Severe Weather Cut-Ins Hard News/Investigative Original Digital Content 1st Place WTMJ AM, Along the Border 1st Place WEAU TV, Online Buzz-worthy Video - Weather Record 2nd Place WUWM FM, Human Trafficking Series Breaker 3rd Place WISN AM, A Dangerous Background 2nd Place WSAW TV, Nearly Twenty-Year-Old Cold Case May be Solved Feature 3rd Place WAOW TV, News 9 Rewind: Last Minute Shopping 1st Place WISN AM, The Strength to Stand 2nd Place Wisconsin Public Radio - WHA, First Bikes and Quality Online Personality Time for A Dad and His Daughter 1st Place WSAW TV, Jeff Thelen 3rd Place WUWM FM, The Ledge-Sit That Brought the Who to 2nd Place WAOW TV, Rashad Williams Milwaukee In 1982 3rd Place WEAU TV, Sarah Winkelmann Use of Audio in Radio News Online Breaking News Coverage 1st Place WTMJ AM, Flamenco Artist 1st Place WSAW TV, Twenty Four Hours of Severe Weather in 2nd Place WTMJ AM, Harley’s LiveWire Launch Two Rounds 3rd Place WUWM FM, Mini Solar Derby 2nd Place WSAW TV, October 2019 Shooting in Cemetery 3rd Place WEAU TV, Tornado Coverage Live On-Scene Reporting 1st Place WTMJ AM, Officer Rittner death 2nd Place WTMJ AM, Brewers Opening Day

12 Wisconsin Broadcaster | wi-broadcasters.org Interview Original Digital Content 1st Place WRRD AM, Hon Brittany Grayson - Daun of the 1st Place Wisconsin Public Radio - WHA Derailed Resistance: October 25, 2019 2nd Place WTMJ AM, Stars & Stripes Honor Flight - A Flight of 2nd Place WRRD AM, US Senator Ron Johnson on The Devil’s Healing and Gratitude Advocates: October 2, 2019 3rd Place WUWM FM, ‘It’s Something I’ll Never Forget’: 3rd Place WUWM FM, Wisconsin’s First Black Newly Elected Cryptosporidium’s Impact On Milwaukeeans Lieutenant Governor Talks Life and Politics Online Personality Sports Play By Play 1st Place WTMJ AM, Steve Scaffidi 1st Place WIBA AM, UW Women’s Volleyball vs Nebraska 2019 2nd Place WSSP AM, Bart Winkler Division I Women’s Volleyball Championship 3rd Place WTMJ AM, Wayne Larrivee - Quarterfinals 2nd Place WTSO AM, Madison Memorial Walks Off Verona For An Online Breaking News Coverage Epic Homecoming Win 1st Place Wisconsin Public Radio - WHA Jayme Closs Case 3rd Place WLSP LP, SPHS Cardinal Football: Madison West vs 2nd Place Wisconsin Public Radio - WHA Substations Explosions Sun Prairie 3rd Place WTMJ AM, Death of Officer Rittner Significant Community Impact 1st Place WTMJ AM, Steve Scaffidi’s Salute to Service 2nd Place WTMJ AM, WTMJ Cares: Operation Glory Medium Market Radio 3rd Place WUWM FM, Project Milwaukee: Great Lakes, Troubled Waters News & Talk Specialty Programming Morning Radio Show 1st Place Wisconsin Public Radio - WHA Classroom Frequency: 1st Place WSCO AM, B.J. & The Bear Student Voices from Wisconsin 2nd Place WKTY AM, Dave and Skradie in The Morning 2nd Place WUWM FM, Lake Effect On-Site: District 3rd Place WSAU FM, WSAU Wisconsin Morning News Weekdays: 3rd Place WTMJ AM, Brewers On Deck Even When We Talk About Vegetables it’s Entertaining Promotional Announcement Radio Show 1st Place WTMJ AM, Rabbit Season 1st Place WSCO AM, The Appleton Trophy Fantasy Football 2nd Place WOZN FM, Mark Murphy the Comedian Show with Leo, Balky & Alex 3rd Place WKTI FM, 94.5 ESPN on Alexa 2nd Place WHWC FM, The West Side: Racial Tensions at UW-Eau Claire Commercial or Underwriting Announcement 3rd Place WHLA FM, Newsmakers: Stories from the Flood 1st Place WTMJ AM, Fear District 2nd Place WSSP AM, “Like a Well Run ER TV show” Newscast 3rd Place WTMJ AM, Vision Travel - No! 1st Place WTAQ AM, WTAQ’s Afternoon News: December 3, 2019 Humorous Commercial or Underwriting 2nd Place WTAQ AM, WTAQ’s Morning News: August 5, 2019 Announcement 3rd Place WSAU FM, Wisconsin Morning News with Chris Conley: September 11 1st Place WTMJ AM, Pella Windows & Doors of Wisconsin - Lifestyles Sportscast 2nd Place WSSP AM, “Bad Jingle, Great Junk” 1st Place WOMT AM, WOMT Morning Sports 3rd Place WTMJ AM, Miba- Recruit 2nd Place WFDL AM, Source 2019 Daily Sportscasts Website 3rd Place WHBY AM, B.J. DeGroot on 5/17/19, 6/6/19, 11/19/19 1st Place Wisconsin Public Radio - WHA WPR.org Continuing Coverage 2nd Place Wisconsin Public Radio - WHA High Tolerance Special 1st Place WSAU FM, Residents Continue Push for Dioxin Testing Series in Riverside Park Neighborhood 3rd Place WUWM FM, WUWM.COM 2nd Place WOMT AM, Alderperson Absent - Violations Web Story 3rd Place WTAQ AM, Return To Nam 1st Place WUWM FM, Cryptosporidium vs Lead: Comparing Spot News Milwaukees Response To These Major Water Threats 1st Place WHBY AM, Appleton Firefighter Killed 2nd Place Wisconsin Public Radio - WHA Climate Change Protest 2nd Place WOMT AM, Manitowoc SWAT Breach 3rd Place WTMJ AM, Marija Temo 3rd Place WFDL AM, Ice Jam Evacuation Use of Social Media News Writing 1st Place Wisconsin Public Radio - WHA WPR Facebook 1st Place WSAU FM, THIS DAY with Chris Conley: Silent Night Strategy 2nd Place WTAQ AM, Ice Cream Man to the Rescue 2nd Place WTMJ AM, WTMJ 3rd Place WOMT AM, Physical Adversity No Obstacle 3rd Place Wisconsin Public Radio - WHA WPR Twitter Strategy Wisconsin Broadcaster | July/August 2020 13 Hard News/Investigative Website 1st Place WFDL AM, Forced Evacuation 1st Place WSAU FM, WSAU.com 2nd Place WOMT AM, Two Rivers Police Shooting 2nd Place WOMT AM, SeehaferNews.com 3rd Place WTAQ AM, ‘Bomb Sniffing Robot’ 3rd Place WSCO AM, thescorewi.com Feature Web Story 1st Place WTAQ AM, Booyah Hoopla 1st Place WSAU FM, Groundbreaking Held for JoJo’s Jungle 2nd Place WOMT AM, Screamin’ Conuts 2nd Place WOMT AM, Garbage Truck Collides With Semi on 3rd Place WFDL AM, The Gift of Independence Memorial Drive 3rd Place WSAU FM, UWSP given $4 million gift for education Use of Audio in Radio News 1st Place WTAQ AM, Ice, Ice, Baby Use of Social Media 2nd Place WSAU FM, Remembrance Tree Lit at Pine Grove 1st Place WOMT AM, Looking Back with Lee & Damon Cemetery 2nd Place WSAU FM, WSAU Twitter and Facebook 3rd Place WOMT AM, Swetlik Gas Station Has New Life 3rd Place WOMT AM, “Where Am I?” Wednesday Live On-Scene Reporting Original Digital Content 1st Place WTAQ AM, Paczki Day 1st Place WOMT AM, Scare USA Contest 2nd Place WTAQ AM, East River Flood 2nd Place WOMT AM, Be My Guest+ 3rd Place WOMT AM, SS Badger Arrives for Season 3rd Place WAYY AM, The Man Cave Football Podcast Interview Online Personality 1st Place WOMT AM, Life-Saving Donation & Meeting 1st Place WHBY AM, Hayley Tenpas 2nd Place WTAQ AM, Salute To Betty White 2nd Place WOMT AM, Ruby Gutierrez 3rd Place WHBY AM, Josh Dukelow with Appleton Mayor 3rd Place WOMT AM, Lee & Damon in the Morning Tim Hanna Online Breaking News Coverage Sports Play By Play 1st Place WOMT AM, Arrest Made in Manitowoc Double 1st Place WSCO AM, Oshkosh North vs. Kenosha Bradford with Homicide Case Joey D. 2nd Place WOMT AM, Active Situation in the City of Manitowoc 2nd Place WRIG AM, Wausau East - Mosinee Football Overtime 3rd Place WSCO AM, BJ DeGroot - Neenah vs. Hudson 03-10-19 Significant Community Impact Smal Market Radio 1st Place WOMT AM, Operation Santa Paws Donation Drive 2nd Place WSAU FM, 42nd Annual Hodag Country Festival News & Talk Comes to Rhinelander 3rd Place WHBY AM, Focus on Veterans with Hayley Tenpas Morning Radio Show 1st Place WHYB FM, Chuck and Jim Veterans Day Show Specialty Programming 2nd Place WBEV AM, Morning Show: January 9, 2019 1st Place KFIZ AM, Halloween Party for the Kids 3rd Place WWIS FM, Buyline: March 8, 2019 2nd Place WOMT AM, 2019 Lakeshore Holiday Parade Radio Show Promotional Announcement 1st Place WHYB FM, Swap Shop 1st Place WOMT AM, Seehafer News App 2nd Place WBEV AM, Breaktime 2nd Place WOMT AM, WOMT News September Promo Newscast Public Service Announcement 1st Place WHYB FM, WHYB AM News: April 30 1st Place WOMT AM, Crimestoppers P3 App 2nd Place WBEV AM, WBEV Newscast with Kevin Haugen: March 28,2019 Commercial or Underwriting Announcement 3rd Place WBEV AM, WBEV Newscast with Craig Warmbold: 1st Place WSAU FM, Mullins Cheese - Plump Turkeys April 6, 2019 2nd Place WOMT AM, Lakeshore Sub’s Delivers 3rd Place WIZM AM, Craftsmanship Sportscast Humorous Commercial or Underwriting 1st Place WBEV AM, WBEV Sportscast Announcement 2nd Place WHYB FM, High School Football Round Up 1st Place WOMT AM, Satori Auto Center Continuing Coverage 2nd Place WSAU FM, Arrow Sports Club - Parking Lot Party 2019 1st Place WBEV AM, Coverage of Fox Lake Murder Trial 3rd Place WOGO AM, Mason Companies “Weighed Down” 2nd Place WBEV AM, Beaver Dam’s Budget Debacle 3rd Place WHYB FM, Menominee Pot Sales

14 Wisconsin Broadcaster | wi-broadcasters.org Spot News Humorous Commercial or Underwriting 1st Place WHYB FM, Arrest Made in Double Homicide Cold Case Announcement 2nd Place WBEV AM, Fire Chief Reports Gas Leak During 1st Place WBEV AM, Surefire Bluegrass Singers Interview with Sheriff 2nd Place WBEV AM, Rechecks Breaking News 3rd Place WHYB FM, VanCleve Cougar Website News Writing 1st Place WBEV AM, DailyDodge.com 1st Place WHYB FM, Return to Nam 2nd Place WHYB FM, Manufacturing Alliance Web Story 3rd Place WBEV AM, Beaver Dam Mayor, Alderman Clash at 1st Place WBEV AM, Beaver Dam Police Active Shooter Training Listening Session 2nd Place WHYB FM, Wausaukee Rescue Squad in Urgent Need of Volunteers Hard News/Investigative 3rd Place WBEV AM, Retiring Dispatchers Reflect On History 1st Place WHYB FM, International Program Of 9-1-1 Call Center 2nd Place WHYB FM, Drug Trends Changing in Marinette County 3rd Place WBEV AM, First Murder in Beaver Dam in Decades Use of Social Media 1st Place WHYB FM, Classic Hits 103.7 Facebook Page Feature 2nd Place WBEV AM, Daily Dodge Facebook/Twitter 1st Place WHYB FM, Future Fund 3rd Place WWIS FM, Buyline: October 31, 2019 2nd Place WBEV AM, Big Boy Rides the Rails into Friesland 3rd Place WHYB FM, Fairy Godmother Project Original Digital Content 1st Place WBEV AM, Dodge County teen donates auction Use of Audio in Radio News winnings to cancer patient 1st Place WBEV AM, Cassidy Interviews BDACT Cast of Frozen Jr 2nd Place WBEV AM, LIVE Cam 2nd Place WHYB FM, SBR Meet & Greet 3rd Place WMAM AM, Joe Bezio SportsBuzz Video Live On-Scene Reporting Online Personality 1st Place WBEV AM, Live from the Dodge County Historical 1st Place WBEV AM, Wade Bates Society 2nd Place WHYB FM, Small Business Revolution Top 5 Online Breaking News Coverage Announcement 1st Place WBEV AM, Video Following Fiery Crash Into Beaver Dam Middle School Interview 2nd Place WHYB FM, Vannieuwenhoven Arrest Press Conference 1st Place WBEV AM, David Victor of 3rd Place WBEV AM, 12-Year-Old Cassidy Warmbold Interviews 2nd Place WHYB FM, Interview with Patti Whipp Theatre Troupe 3rd Place WJMC AM, American Birkebeiner Sports Play By Play 1st Place WHYB FM, Menominee vs Kingsley Large Market Radio 2nd Place WHYB FM, Menominee vs Hopkins 3rd Place WMAM AM, Marines Lose on Last-Second Shot Music Format Significant Community Impact Morning Radio Show 1st Place WBEV AM, Children’s Radiothon Surpasses $2 million 1st Place WJQM FM, Krista & The Morning Rush 2nd Place WHYB FM, Small Business Revolution 2nd Place WMYX FM, Elizabeth & Radar - The Halloween Show 3rd Place WWIS FM, Addiction: Road to Recovery 3rd Place WXSS FM, Riggs, Alley, & Gibbons - “The Day My New BF Met the Kids” Specialty Programming 1st Place WBEV AM, Memorial Day Ceremony Radio Show 2nd Place WHYB FM, M&M Youth Football Championship 1st Place WMGN FM, Jillene Khan on 98 3rd Place WBEV AM, WBEV Tribute to Veterans 2nd Place WJQM FM, Weeknights w/ DJ Fusion Promotional Announcement Newscast 1st Place WBEV AM, WBEV Sports Promo 1st Place WWQM FM, Three Things You Should Know 2nd Place WBEV AM, Radio Bingo 2nd Place WVMO FM, Bird Report 3rd Place WVMO FM, Community Calendar Public Service Announcement Interview 1st Place WBEV AM, BDACT Gets the Blues 1st Place WLUM FM, Adler talks with Walton Goggins of The 2nd Place WBEV AM, BDACT Presents Magic Mike Unicorn on CBS 3rd Place WHYB FM, Diabetes PSA 2nd Place WLUM FM, Adler talks with comedian Sebastian Commercial or Underwriting Announcement Maniscalco of The Irishman 3rd Place WVMO FM, Mark Croft Interview 1st Place WBEV AM, Vita Park Singing Eye Docs Christmas Carol Wisconsin Broadcaster | July/August 2020 15 Original Feature Humorous Commercial or Underwriting 1st Place WWQM FM, Marty, the World’s Biggest Packer Fan Announcement 2nd Place WMGN FM, Fletch & Lanette’s Bonehead Theater 1st Place WXSS FM, “Resolutions Start Here” 3rd Place WVMO FM, Kids Naturally 2nd Place WVMO FM, Monona Transit 3rd Place WOLX FM, “Awesome Shrimp” Live On-Site Broadcast Remote 1st Place WJQM FM, 22nd Annual Tellurian Celebrity Website Golf Tournament 1st Place WMGN FM, Madison’s Magic 98 2nd Place WWQM FM, Hole In The Wall Tour 2nd Place WWQM FM, Q106.com 3rd Place WVMO FM, Monona Library Reopens 3rd Place WVMO FM, City of Monona: WVMO Page Use of Audio (Non-News) Use of Social Media 1st Place WJJO FM, Badger State Towing - Cowboy Accident 1st Place WVMO FM, Monona News & Happenings 2nd Place WOLX FM, “WOLX Flannel Fest” 2nd Place WXSS FM, “Break From Drake” International Viral 3rd Place WVMO FM, When You Say Monona Campaign 3rd Place WJQM FM, 93.1 JAMZ Sports Coverage 1st Place WLUM FM, Adler talks with Ned Yost IV of the San Original Digital Content Antonio Missions 1st Place WMGN FM, Lanette’s Lazy Recipes 2nd Place WVMO FM, Wife Carry Championships 2nd Place WLDB FM, Taste Test Tuesday 3rd Place WVMO FM, Monona Grove Varsity Football 3rd Place WXSS FM, Favorite NKOTB Member Significant Community Impact Online Personality 1st Place WMGN FM, Magic 98 Holiday Wish 1st Place WMGN FM, Jillene Khan on Magic 98 2nd Place WVMO FM, Veteran Stories 2nd Place WXSS FM, JMatt 3rd Place WWQM FM, Radiothon for American Family Children’s 3rd Place WJQM FM, Krista Hatcher Hospital Live On-Site Coverage Specialty Programming 1st Place WVMO FM, Monona Events Live 1st Place WLUM FM, FM 102.1 Retro Brunch 2nd Place WVMO FM, Wife Carry Championships 2nd Place WJQM FM, Surviving R. Kelly 3rd Place WVMO FM, Veteran Stories Promotional Announcement Medium Market Radio 1st Place WVMO FM, From Our Listeners 2nd Place WMMM FM, “Matt Nathanson Does His Own Promo” Music Format 3rd Place WMSE FM, WMSE Old Man Pledge Pitch Morning Radio Show Station Promo 1st Place WBCV FM, The Big Cheese Morning Show with 1st Place WMSE FM, WMSE WKRP Theme Trav- Bye Bye Emily Skye 2nd Place WVMO FM, WVMO Artists 2nd Place WIZM FM, The Z93 Morning Buzz with Brittany and 3rd Place WVMO FM, Just Good Music Ballzer Station Event Promo 3rd Place WAPL FM, WAPL Home Brewed: August 3, 2019 1st Place WMGN FM, Magic 98’s Trip to Cranfest Radio Show 2nd Place WJQM FM, Ornament Smash 3rd Place WMSE FM, WMSE 2019 Retro Dance Party Promo 1st Place WIXX FM, The Fife Show Afternoons 2nd Place WIXX FM, Jayson Slade Night Show Client Event Promo 3rd Place WAPL FM, John and Elwood: November 14, 2019 1st Place WMGN FM, Magic 98’s Millionaire for A Day Newscast 2nd Place WVMO FM, Fools Flootilla: River Alliance of Wisconsin 3rd Place WVMO FM, Charity Jamboree 1st Place WIFC FM, WIFC News with Tom King 2nd Place WAPL FM, News with Carol Patrizi: December 9, 2019 Public Service Announcement 3rd Place WDEZ FM, Sports with Tom King 1st Place WMGN FM, UW Gynecoligic Oncology - Sparkle Of Hope Gala Interview 2nd Place WVMO FM, Briarpatch November Runaway 1st Place WISM FM, Steve Lukather (of Toto) 3rd Place WVMO FM, New Monona Website 2nd Place WDEZ FM, Lady Antebellum - Hillary Scott Hodag Interview Commercial or Underwriting Announcement 3rd Place WOZZ FM, Interview With Blake Bedsaul of Saul 1st Place WMYX FM, “Libations” 2nd Place WXSS FM, “A Little Help Please” 3rd Place WMYX FM, “Every Year It Comes” 16 Wisconsin Broadcaster | wi-broadcasters.org Original Feature Humorous Commercial or Underwriting 1st Place WAPL FM, Small Town Crime Wave Announcement 2nd Place WGTD FM, The WGTD Radio Theater: The Entire 1st Place WWIB FM, JY Collision “Call the Best” 15th Season 2nd Place WWIB FM, The Medicine Shoppe of Chippewa Falls 3rd Place WAPL FM, Four at Four: Fries and Menomonie Title: “Here’s Sneezin’ At You, Kid” 3rd Place WIFC FM, Fireworks Country - Rad part Live On-Site Broadcast Remote 1st Place WMEQ FM, 92.1 Rock Fest Storm Website Coverage 1st Place WVTY FM, 92.1 VTY Country 2nd Place WVTY FM, Farm Aid 2nd Place WZOR FM, RazorWisconsin.com 3rd Place WVTY FM, Summerfest 2019 3rd Place WAPL FM, WAPL.com Use of Audio (Non-News) Use of Social Media 1st Place WDRK FM, Oddly Enough - Seven Inches of Snow 1st Place WIFC FM, 95.5 WIFC gets social 2nd Place WGTD FM, The WGTD Radio Theater: “The Dean 2nd Place WAPL FM, @WAPLRocks Martin Holiday Show Extravaganza.” 3rd Place WZOR FM, @RazorWisconsin 3rd Place WDEZ FM, Chandra Lottery Press Conference Original Digital Content Sports Coverage 1st Place WBCV FM, Big Cheese 107.9 Client Holiday Card 1st Place WOZZ FM, Tom King Sports on Rock 94.7 2nd Place WZOR FM, Cutter’s RockCast 2nd Place WAPL FM, Road Show: Lambeau Field 3 Down Noise 3rd Place WGTD FM, WGTD Sports - Tremper vs Franklin High 3rd Place WAPL FM, Farewell Bart Starr School Significant Community Impact Online Personality 1st Place WAPL FM, Saint or Scrooge 1st Place WYTE FM, Breakfast with Big Red 2nd Place WZOR FM, Mental Health Awareness 2nd Place WAPL FM, Rick and Len 3rd Place WIFC FM, Be The Match Radiothon 3rd Place WZOR FM, Kaytie Specialty Programming Live On-Site Coverage 1st Place WISM FM, 2019 Christmas Music 1st Place WZOR FM, Rock USA 2019 Special 2nd Place WAPL FM, International Incident: Costa Rica 2nd Place WAPL FM, Home Brewed 3rd Place WZOR FM, Combat Hunger 3rd Place WYTE FM, Nashville’s Next Promotional Announcement 1st Place WAPL FM, I Know Smal Market Radio 2nd Place WDEZ FM, 90’s Brunch Promo 3rd Place WIXX FM, Hack Up a HairBAND Winning Weekend Music Format Station Promo Morning Radio Show 1st Place WAPL FM, 20 Albums For 2020 1st Place WLKG FM, LifeMatters 2nd Place WOZZ FM, Leftovers Weekend Promo 2nd Place WCOW FM, Ben & Arnie on COW97 3rd Place WHTQ FM, Tropic Like It’s HOT 3rd Place WCOW FM, Ben & Arnie Station Event Promo Radio Show 1st Place WAPL FM, International Incident: Costa Rica Broadcasts 1st Place WLKG FM, Mike Mason 2nd Place WZOR FM, Star Wars Episode IX Private Screening 2nd Place WCOW FM, Mike Burns Gilbert on COW97 3rd Place WAPL FM, Xmas Bash 2019 3rd Place WCOW FM, Classic COW97 Client Event Promo Newscast 1st Place WAPL FM, Road Show Tasting Tour 1st Place WJMC FM, January 11, 2019 2nd Place WIXX FM, Gamblers Teddy Bear Toss Promo 2019 2nd Place WLKG FM, Good Morning Wisconsin Newscast 3rd Place WAPL FM, Green Bay Fear 3rd Place WCOW FM, COW97 News with Adam Roberts Public Service Announcement Interview 1st Place WZOR FM, Metallica Day of Service 1st Place WAQE FM, Veterans Day with Drew Stuntz 2nd Place WCOW FM, Lindsay Ell at Country Fest 2nd Place WAPL FM, Combat Hunger 3rd Place WLKG FM, Mrs. Wisconsin on LifeMatters 3rd Place WGLX FM, Magic Paper Box Commercial or Underwriting Announcement Original Feature 1st Place WLKG FM, Karen Theatre 1st Place WAPL FM, Beyond Redline: PEPs 2nd Place WLKG FM, Don’t Even Get Me Started 2nd Place WWIB FM, Heritage Court “Letting Go” 3rd Place WCOW FM, Kenny Chesney “Time of Day” 3rd Place WWIB FM, Mason Companies “Welcome to the Family” Wisconsin Broadcaster | July/August 2020 17 Live On-Site Broadcast Remote Public Service Announcement 1st Place WPVL FM, Lilly - Kid’s Day at the Fair 1st Place WCOW FM, Monroe County Safe Community 2nd Place WCOW FM, Country Boom 2019 2nd Place WGLR FM, SWTC Monster Dash 3rd Place WLKG FM, Mike Mason Live from Falz Fest 3rd Place WCOW FM, APTIV Game On Use of Audio (Non-News) Commercial or Underwriting Announcement 1st Place WGLR FM, Interview with Santa 25th Anniversary 1st Place WPVL FM, Grand Opera House - Terror at the Grand 2nd Place WLKG FM, Karen Theatre 2nd Place WMBZ FM, Gauthier Biomedical - Shane 3rd Place WHDG FM, WHDG 25th Anniversary Special 3rd Place WPVL FM, Cheryl’s Costume Closet - Halloween Sports Coverage Humorous Commercial or Underwriting 1st Place WLST FM, Sports with Kit: September 26, 2019 Announcement 2nd Place WLKG FM, Pencil’s Picks 1st Place WLKG FM, This Little Piggy Goes to Munich 3rd Place WLKG FM, Sports Jam 2nd Place WMQA FM, St. Croix Rods 3rd Place WPVL FM, Catfish Charlie’s - Cajun 1 Significant Community Impact 1st Place WCOW FM, Dream Christmas Website Music 2nd Place WCOW FM, Thank You Farmers 1st Place WCOW FM, COW97.COM 3rd Place WLKG FM, Wet Nose Wednesday 2nd Place WGLR FM, WGLR.com 3rd Place WMBZ FM, 92.5 Buzz Country Specialty Programming 1st Place WDDC FM, WDDC Badger Honor Flight Use of Social Media 2nd Place WIBD AM, Radio Homeroom 1st Place WCOW FM, COW97 3rd Place WMDC FM, Gold Star Tribute 2nd Place WGLR FM, WGLR Facebook 3rd Place WPVL FM, Xtreme 107.1 Facebook Promotional Announcement 1st Place WLKG FM, 12 Days of Christmas Original Digital Content 2nd Place WCOW FM, Ben & Arnie Triple Play Winner 1st Place WSFQ FM, Kelly Clarkson Contest 3rd Place WLKG FM, Good Morning Wisconsin Promo 2nd Place WLKG FM, PEEPS Challenge Station Promo Online Personality 1st Place WLST FM, Pass the Eggnog 1st Place WCOW FM, Ben & Arnie 2nd Place WCOW FM, Country Fest in 97 Minutes 2nd Place WPVL FM, Harsh Reality with Johnny Page 3rd Place WCOW FM, COW97’s 2019 3rd Place WLKG FM, Mike Mason Station Event Promo Live On-Site Coverage 1st Place WNNO FM, Christmas Wish Winner 1st Place WCOW FM, Live From Country Fest 2019 2nd Place WCOW FM, COW97’s Ride for St Jude 2nd Place WLKG FM, March Catness @ Lakeland Animal Shelter 3rd Place WCOW FM, COW97 Kids Pull 2019 3rd Place WCOW FM, Live From Armed Forces Day 2019 Client Event Promo 1st Place WLKG FM, Casey’s General Store - Grand Opening 2nd Place WLKG FM, Champs Sports Bar - Halloween Party 3rd Place WGLR FM, Jordan Davis Concert

18 Wisconsin Broadcaster | wi-broadcasters.org 2019 Station of the Year Television LARGE MARKET MEDIUM MARKET SMALL MARKET

WISN TV WKOW TV WSAW TV News & LARGE MARKET MEDIUM MARKET SMALL MARKET

WTMJ AM WOMT AM WBEV AM LARGE MARKET MEDIUM MARKET SMALL MARKET

WVMO FM WAPL FM WCOW FM

2019 News Operation of the Year Television LARGE MARKET MEDIUM MARKET SMALL MARKET

WISN TV WMTV TV WSAW TV News &Talk Radio LARGE MARKET MEDIUM MARKET SMALL MARKET

WTMJ AM WTAQ AM WHYB FM 2019 Social and Digital Media Operation of the Year Television LARGE MARKET MEDIUM MARKET SMALL MARKET

WITI TV WKOW TV WSAW TV News &Talk Radio LARGE MARKET MEDIUM MARKET SMALL MARKET

Wisconsin Public Radio – WHA WOMT AM WBEV AM Music Radio LARGE MARKET MEDIUM MARKET SMALL MARKET

WMGN FM WZOR FM WCOW FM

Making a Difference Wausau TV stations raise $104K for food bank Hygiene drive tops $428,000 in donations WSAW/WZAW-TV in Wausau raised The Family ’s 2020 “Help $104,714 for a local food bank with its ‘Sing- for the Homeless” hygiene drive collected ing for their Supper’ campaign. more than $428,000 worth of donated The money was raised for The Neighbors’ hygiene and cleaning supplies for 89 Place, Marathon County’s largest food bank. crisis agencies in 15 of their listening The total raised locally equates to over 300,000 meals. communities. The campaign kicked off on April 18 with a one-hour televised spe- Agency staff and volunteers collected, counted, and squirreled the cial, ‘Singing for their Supper’. The special featured virtual performanc- donations away in mid-March, just days before COVID-19 restrictions es by country stars and singer-songwriters. Throughout the event, went in place. More than 20,000 rolls of nearly-impossible-to-find WSAW highlighted the importance of supporting our local food toilet paper were included in the mix. pantries. Viewers were encouraged to donate to The Neighbors’ Place. Since its beginning in 1992, “Help for the Homeless” donations have Over $22,000 was raised as the special concluded. provided more than $3.7 million worth of hygiene supplies to local More than 50 stations aired the special, raising more Wisconsin crisis assistance programs and those they serve. than $1,026,000 nationally. WISN-TV online food drive raises $666K WISN 12 and Hunger Task Force raised $666,890 collected monetary donations, as well as a milk rescue initiative to in April through an online food driv’ and milk buy back milk from area dairy farmers. Following the closures of rescue to help local families in need during the schools, restaurants, and stores, Wisconsin farmers had been told to COVID-19 pandemic. dump milk in response to a surplus. These efforts included an online food driv’ which 20 Wisconsin Broadcaster | wi-broadcasters.org Young Professionals Koser to start boutique ad agency, leave YP Committee Young Professionals Committee Chair JT Koser is advertising, especially when it comes to helping the small business leaving Koser Radio Group in Rice Lake and has owner.” resigned from his position on the Young Professionals Koser encourages broadcasters to continue focusing on what they do Committee. best: localism. Koser was one of the founding members of the “I believe that local radio and TV stations have one of the greatest Young Professionals Committee when it formed opportunities in this quickly changing landscape, where you can be in 2011. He also served on the WBA a true resource for businesses that need to reach their Board of Directors from 2015 to 2019. target customers in their local area. Locally owned Koser He played a leadership role in young businesses won’t get personalized service from Goo- professional initiatives that included gle, Facebook or any other large digital-only option. the mentorship program, the YP of the Year Award, and They need a local entity to help them navigate what’s numerous events geared toward young broadcasters, best for their business in their own community, and including The Toolbox. local radio and TV Stations are the best ones to help Koser and his wife Katie are moving to the Twin Cities them do it.” area in July where JT will be building his boutique Koser also said he will continue to promote radio. agency focused on small independently owned busi- nesses. “While I am going to miss working with you, I won’t be too far away. Rest assured…radio and TV are among “I want everyone throughout the WBA to know how grateful I am my TOP recommendations for any business and their advertising! for the time I’ve had with all of you,” Koser wrote. “I have especially Lastly, I want to recognize Michelle, Linda, Kyle, and Liz for their enjoyed my time with the Young Professionals and the WBA Board. incredible leadership. The WBA has such an amazing team, without a I truly believe the future of the broadcasting industry is very bright, doubt they’re simply... the best! with Wisconsin leading the charge! In my college years I always knew I wanted to start my own business, but choosing the specific area was Koser also invites WBA members to contact him if you’re in the Twin always a cloudy subject. This is why I am so grateful that I had the Cities area. opportunity to work right alongside my father and his radio stations Another founding member of the YP Committee, Terry Stevenson, will over the last decade, as it has truly helped me understand my love for take the role of YP Committee Chair going forward. Member News La Crosse Media Group stations sold to 3 buyers WNWC honored by Christian Music Broadcasters Madison station Life 102.5 (WNWC) has been named Magnum Media is planning to purchase three radio stations from 2020 Christian Music Broadcasters La Crosse Media Group. Station of the Year in the medium The announcement released June 3 said La Crosse Media Group market category. has filed an application with the FCC to sell WQCC-FM, KQEG-FM, The national award recognizes and WLFN-AM to Magnum Media. stations demonstrating a commit- Two other La Crosse Media Group stations, WKBH-FM is being sold ment to excellence and dedication to Educational Media Foundation and WLXR-FM is being sold to to serving their communities. Three nominees in small, medium, and the Salvation Poem Foundation. large market categories are selected by judges within the Christian Pat Smith, Managing Member of La Crosse Media Group, has been music format. Radio professionals primarily outside of the CMB indus- in La Crosse his entire career. He said he will retire after assisting try then select one station in each category to receive the Station of with the transition, focus on his health, and try to keep up with his the Year award. grandkids. Life 102.5 won the same award in 2016. Waupaca stations sold to Tower Road Media Names in the News A pair of radio stations owned by Laird After nearly two years as morning show producer for Broadcasting have been sold to a new WSAW-TV’s Sunrise 7, Allison Anhalt is making the broadcasting company. move to Green Bay. Anhalt will join WBAY-TV as 10 Tower Road Media purchased WDUX-AM/ p.m. producer. Her last day at WSAW was May 26. FM in a deal that closed May 13. Tower Former Green Bay Packer fan favorite Road Media is owned by Keith Bratel and John Kuhn joined 97.3 The Game Bratel and Grassman Don Grassman who both live in the area. (WRNW) in Milwaukee as a midday on- WDUX-FM went on the air with a new air personality. Kuhn is broadcasting format on May 20. The new station, “Lakes Anhalt alongside former Wisconsin Badger 92.7,” plays classic top 40 hits from the 70s, Brian Butch on the new “Nine 2 Noon 80s, and 90s. with Kuhn” to discuss the latest “sports and stuff” each The station has a new studio and work is weekday morning from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. He started Kuhn underway on WDUX-AM, Bratel said. May 4. Wisconsin Broadcaster | July/August 2020 21 In Remembrance Radio veteran dies in kayaking accident Ruppert retires after 41 years in engineering Radio veteran Tammi McCauley died June 13 in a WISC-TV Director of Engineering Kevin Ruppert is kayaking accident. retiring after a 41-year career in broadcasting. McCauley, who listeners of “The Bug” (WISS-AM/ Ruppert started at the Madison station in 1979 as WAUH-FM) knew as Lexi Young, drowned on the Me- a news stringer while also working at a Wisconsin can River in Marquette County. She lived in Ripon. Dells radio station. That summer he was hired full “She enjoyed working with her on-air partner Wayne time at WISC-TV as a master control operator and Mausser and the time she spent with her family,” started performing maintenance. He helped the station move from its old location on McCauley according to an article on the station’s website. “She Ruppert was looking forward to the arrival of a new grand- Hammersley Road its current location on Raymond child. She was a compassionate and caring person and will be terribly Road. missed by those who knew her and her Hometown Broadcasting In 1984, Ruppert led the station’s effort to move its transmitter to Family.” a new tower and the following year he led the effort to modify the Memorials may be directed to Messiah Lutheran Church. In her mem- station’s transmitter to make WISC-TV the first station in the state to ory her family is asking that people do one act of kindness to bring a broadcast stereo audio. He helped transition the station to digital in in her honor. early 2001. Ruppert became a certified broadcast engineer by the SBE in 1985 and was promoted to engineering maintenance supervisor in 1990. EDUCATORS COLUMN He was promoted to be WISC-TV’s Director of Engineering in 2018 Continued from page 6 and spearheaded all the technical issues of the station including the dents have in common? By default or design, they’re not in terrestrial station’s spectrum repack. broadcasting and not using their talents to work for you to improve He was a leader within the local chapter of SBE and played key roles your operation. And most importantly, they never will. The main in the WBA’s Broadcaster’s Clinic. reason? The less-than-fast-food pay. “Personally, I consider Kevin one of the best engineers with whom The ones that haunt me are those who never connect. I’ve had 1,142 students in my years as a teacher at UWO. Two of my top students I’ve ever worked and appreciate the work he’s done for us over were never able to find ANYTHING in media, despite terrific skills in the years which has a lot to do with the stellar reputation WISC production, interviewing, reporting, leadership and that most rare commands nationally as a facility and news organization,” WISC-TV talent these days: writing. They won national awards for their work, General Manager Tom Keeler wrote. “WISC has always pioneered did everything right and no one recognized their exceptional abilities. new advances in our industry and Kevin has been instrumental in a With student loans coming due, one became a corporate headhunter lot of it.” (now in ) and the other decided to get a master’s degree to become a social worker. Our industry lost two of the very best and Ruppert’s last day was May 1. their stories will bother me forever. Episodes like this should bother you, too. Hall of Famer marks second retirement from news Some years ago, the leadership at WBA recognized a crisis facing WBA Hall of Famer Tommy Lee Bychinski is retiring their members: the looming shortage of broadcast engineers. They after 50 years in radio and television. responded with an innovative apprenticeship program to get new en- gineering talent into the pipeline. I feel this is a crisis of a similar scale. “Mr. Radio” in Reedsburg, Tommy Lee had a 44-year However, I don’t know if WBA can play a role here. It’s really a decision career in radio built on a strong foundation of com- to be made at the station level. munity service and involvement. I hope this prompts some discussion at your station. The constant After attending Brown Institute, he began his career turnover at your station is a cost for you: scrambling to fill roles and in 1964 at WIGM radio in Medford and after two endlessly training new people. While pondering what you will do, Bychinski years began his 33-year run with Goetz Broadcast- here are some statistics to bear in mind: ing. For Goetz he served in Marshfield at WDLB as a • In 2018, 64 percent of all Wisconsin college graduates had student sports announcer and air personality from 1966-72 and then moved loan debt, with an average amount of $31,705. to their stations in Reedsburg, WRDB/WNFM, as an account execu- • The average 2019 rent on a one-bedroom apartment in Wisconsin tive. In 1979 he became station manager and led the stations, even was $704 (and $882 for a two-bedroom). • The 2019 median hourly wage in Wisconsin was $18.79. after Goetz Broadcasting was disbanded, until his initial retirement • The 2019 median annual wage in Wisconsin was $39,090. in 2008. Here’s a statistic that should carry NO weight: the minimum hourly The last 12 years Bychinski delivered newscasts for the Reedsburg wage in Wisconsin is $7.25. Also avoid talk about “paying your dues” Utility . He covered local government meetings and “lack of work ethic” (tell that to my students that are regularly and community events. He retired June 12. He turns 74 in December selling their plasma to stay in college). and wants to spend more time with his family and traveling. One final note: The protagonist of our story eventually gave up trying Throughout his career Bychinski dedicated himself to community to find a media job after the insulting news director/restaurant offer. service and industry service. He served the Chamber of Commerce, He ended up at a Milwaukee-area firm that cleans office buildings. It doesn’t require that he know how to conduct a phone interview, pull local school district, the city council, the county board, the volun- cuts, write around audio, set up a broadcast remote, take transmitter teer fire department, his church and the Knights of Columbus, all in readings, do multitrack audio mixing or bring his editorial judgment the Reedsburg area. He served eight years on the Wisconsin Broad- to bear in choosing the stories to cover (all the things he learned casters Association Board of Directors and was Chairman of the WBA from me). On the other hand, it’s full time and when news breaks, his Board in 1999. schedule is not upended: he can just listen to it on the radio.

22 Wisconsin Broadcaster | wi-broadcasters.org WBA FOUNDATION

Supporting the Future of Broadcasting First Results Broadcasting Education Grant awarded A morning producer at WTMJ-AM in Milwaukee is The Results Broadcasting Education Grant was established to provide the recipient of the first ever Results Broadcasting student debt relief to broadcasters working in Wisconsin. It was Education Grant. created from what used to be the Results Broadcasting scholarship. Recipients get $1,000 to put toward relief of student debt. Rachel Frye graduated from Western Univer- sity in 2013 and began her career with a six-radio “Results Broadcasting is so proud of the dedicated men and women station cluster in Macomb, Illinois before taking a job in the Wisconsin over the air radio and TV industry working in all at WTMJ-AM in June 2014. She started part time as phases of the business,” wrote Results Broadcasting owner and WBA a reporter and board operator and in February 2016 Hall of Famer Bruce Grassman. “It is an opportunity to help people Frye was hired full time as producer of Wisconsin’s Morn- with some of their student debt and to let them know they are part of ing News. Her duties have since expanded to include the greatest state of broadcasters...Wisconsin. Results Broadcasting is producing digital content and leading station events. proud to continue this award for many years to come.” Vice President and Market Manager Steve Wexler said Frye is the kind More than a dozen broadcasters applied for the grant. The recipient of employee every employer would covet. “She’s hard-working, sets a was chosen by a sub-committee of the WBA Foundation Board. very high bar of expectations for herself and our team, and sweats the Applications for the next details.” grant will be accepted Frye said her goal was to pay off her student loans by the end of the starting Jan. 1, 2021 year, and the grant will be a huge help toward making that goal. and the deadline will be Feb. 28, 2021. Find “This grant money is so much appreciated, especially during these more details on the WBA unstable times,” Frye wrote. “I encourage anyone who is considering Foundation website. applying in the future to do so. It’s a truly great program targeted at helping Wisconsin broadcasters.” Letters of Thanks horticulture communities. Michelle, If you’re curious, my presentation entitled, “How Trees Built the Thank you for your generous support of the Wisconsin Association of Midwest” was recorded by PBS Wisconsin and will be broadcast on County AG Agents Communication Awards Program! “University Place.” I was awarded several state and state runner-up awards for numerous As a home orchardist, I used the award money to purchase the hard submissions including presentations, fact sheets, publications, and cider apple Brown’s Apple from a Wisconsin nursery. I planted it over newsletter. the weekend. I am looking forward in a few years to start blending I appreciate the opportunity to participate in this program as it gives this apple into my ciders. me valuable feedback on my materials developed, which in turn, I use Jay Dampier to improve on future projects. State Horticulture Outreach Program Manager Again, thank you for your support of not only this program but for all UW-Madison, Division of Extension of extension! It is greatly appreciated! Bob Barry’s Unearthed Interviews Podcast Tina Kohlman Professor, Agriculture Agent Recent Episodes Upcoming Episodes Fond du Lac County Judy Carne Rodney Dangerfield * * * Michelle, Phyllis Diller Gene Pitney Thanks to you and the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association for Danny and the Trini Lopez supporting the Wisconsin Association of County Agricultural Agents. Juniors Buffalo Bob I took second place in the Communications Award, “Computer Gen- erated Graphics Presentation.” As a former county educator and with Zsa Zsa Gabor Nicolette Larson current statewide responsibilities in horticulture, I firsthand appreci- Burt Reynolds ate the partnerships required to effectively reach our agriculture and

Wisconsin Broadcasters Association Foundation Officers & Board of Directors www.wbafoundation.org

OFFICERS Treasurer BOARD OF DIRECTORS Anna Engelhart Dean Maytag Scott M. Trentadue Tom Walker Greg Bell WKOW-TV Retired Wisconsin Broadcaster Retired Wisconsin Broadcaster Chair of the Board Mid-West Family Broadcasting, Retired Wisconsin Broadcaster Al Lancaster Madison Bill Hurwitz Kelly Radandt Don Vesely WSAW-TV/WZAW-TV, Wausau Chris Bernier Retired Wisconsin Broadcaster Woodward Radio Group WMTV-TV, Madison President & CEO Radio Plus, Fond du Lac Appleton/Green Bay Vice Chair Michelle Vetterkind, R. Perry Kidder Jan Wade Bruce Grassman CAE Lynn Bieritz Retired Wisconsin Broadcaster David Sanks WISN-TV, Milwaukee Results Broadcasting Wisconsin Broadcasters Associa- Mid-West Family Broadcasting Retired Wisconsin Broadcaster tion Foundation Tom Koser Secretary Scott Chorski WAQE-AM/FM/WJMC-AM/FM/ Chuck Steinmetz Dick Record Retired Wisconsin Broadcaster WKFX-FM Rice Lake WITI-TV, Milwaukee Family Radio, La Crosse Wisconsin Broadcaster | July/August 2020 23 Calendar of Events

July 16, 2020 Webinar: Digital and Social Media Legal WE LIVE HERE. Issues Presented by David Oxenford, Wilkinson, Barker, Knauer WE WORK HERE. July 16, 2020 WE SERVE HERE. Webinar: It’s Not Just Selling More Digital... It’s Understanding How to Sell Against It Wisconsin Broadcasters help keep our ranks Presented by Derron Steenbergen, Swagger Institute full so we can serve when called upon. What July 20-24, 2020 you do matters. Thank you for your support. Virtual Job Fair wi-broadcasters.org/virtual-job-fair Visit nationalguard.com July 20-21, 2020 Online Training: Power Up Your Reporting Presented by Al Tompkins, Poynter July 22-23, 2020 Rising Above: Virtual Sales & Management Summit Presented by Derron Steenbergen, Swagger Institute and Speed Marriott, P1 July 27-28, 2020 Online Training: Leading a Local Newsroom Through Uncertain Times Presented by Al Tompkins, Poynter Sept. 17, 2020 Webinar: How to Give Your National Super- stars Home Court Advantage Presented by Kipper McGee, Media Brandwidth Strategies Oct. 13-15, 2020 Broadcasters Clinic Madison Marriott West