July/August 2020
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JULY/AUGUST 2020 CHAIR’S COLUMN Broadcasters step up during unbelievable times What a tremendous job Wisconsin 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 better their communities on page 7 and you say virtually every radio 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 Broadcasting help residents. Unfortunately, many people were furloughed or terminated during Midwest Communications 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, Milwaukee 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 Morgan Murphy Media, Madison haven’t already, please send us photos with We have some of the latest examples on page Paul Cameron The Family Radio 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 Wisconsin Public Radio, 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 & Telemundo, 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, Rice 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.