wisconsin broadcaster_nov dec 10/30/2018 10:10 AM Page 1 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2018 CHAIR’S COLUMN For the Birds stations, is there a small, influential group of people who see opportunity and can change where you’re going? Have you ever seen those huge No. 2: Speed wins. It’s mind-blowing how quickly the flocks of starlings flying in birds change direction. They don’t stop down for analysis, formation, changing directions committee meetings or data dumps. Once they see an in the blink of an eye? opportunity, they act. Are we built for speed, or are we bogged down in process and bureaucracy? They look like giant clouds of birds moving in the same general direction before they inexplicably change No. 3: It’s simultaneously a team sport and an individual sport. In Steve Wexler course. According to Smithsonian Magazine, hundreds slow-motion video, you can see that each starling is acting quite WBA Chair of starlings can change direction in half a second. individually; that is, they are not all doing the same thing. So, while they are free to act pretty much on their own, to succeed they have to I saw one of these “starling clouds” the other day on my way to WTMJ and generally all go in the same direction. What a production! it got me thinking about our industry, our state association, and the businesses we are responsible for. I came away with three takeaways: The next time you see one of those big clouds of darting, speeding starlings, ask yourself if your organization behaves like those No. 1: A few birds make all the difference.Smithsonian Magazine winged creatures. Are you built for speed, full of influential team actually captured these birds on video then slowed the footage down to members (regardless of title), who can seize new opportunities? Do we better understand what was really going on. It turns out that a small encourage wild individualism even as we ask everyone to go the same group of birds decide, in a nano-second, that it’s time to change direction? direction, and the entire flock follows suit. These “lead birds” have no fancy titles or formal leadership roles. Apparently, they sense opportunity It seems likely that our business, our industry and even our own state (favorable wind drafts, insects for meals, e.g.) and decide it’s time to association could learn a thing or two from these seemingly simple but change. In our state association, our industry, or in your TV or radio complex clouds of inspiring starlings. CONTENTS PRESIDENT’S COLUMN Tools available to help stations facing repack . 2 Morrissey recognized for dedication to Awards Column . 3 Watch for your 2019 WBA dues mailing. 3 WBA Newsroom Music Modernization Act signed I hope everyone has been enjoying our beautiful (for the most into law. 3 Broadcasters Clinic Review. 4 part) Wisconsin fall weather. 2019 Student Awards for Excellence. 6 Michelle As a life-long Wisconsinite (with the practicing journalists and anyone interested in Educators’ Column. 8 Vetterkind, exception of a couple of years in learning more about journalism's role in the WBA joins Radio Show in Orlando. 8 CAE Chicago), I must say fall is my gathering and dissemination of information to the Winter Conference and WBA President favorite season…even if it means public. State Legislative Day . 9 and CEO that the season that begins with a The site features relevant and updated information Names in the News . 9 “W” will soon follow. about Wisconsin laws regarding news coverage, Members in the Spotlight . 10-13 I would like to give an extra special quick explanations of how our state’s court system WBA debates bring statewide recognition to someone who has works, pro tips on shooting video and writing, and attention to key races . 14 worked tirelessly (albeit, behind the even a link to a site where every place-name in Jacobs Media: It’s time to show clients scenes) for your WBA to provide so Wisconsin is accurately pronounced. It was their advertising investment worked . 16 many of you, our valued WBA underwritten by a generous grant from veteran Nominations are open for Hall of Fame/ members, with a wonderful service. journalist and WBA Hall of Famer R. Perry Kidder. Local Broadcast Legends Awards. 17 Radio veteran and Wisconsin news Tim Morrissey Tim researched the information on the site and WBA, WBA Foundation offer enthusiast Tim Morrissey is handing programs for engineers . 17 made sure it always had the most recent off his responsibilities for WBA Newsroom after nine Foundation Chair’s Report, information. years of working for the site. Year End 2018 . 18 He also grew the WBA Newsroom’s presence on Thank you, WBA . 19 Tim was first hired in 2009 to write content for the Twitter where Wisconsin journalists gather to Contribute to the Wisconsin Broadcasters Kidder Broadcast News Resource Center, which is commiserate online. He promoted the site and Association Foundation . 19 now known as WBA Newsroom. Under his care, the engagement among journalists working in site has grown into an important resource for Calendar of Events. 20 Wisconsin broadcasting. Continued on page 2> wisconsin broadcaster_nov dec 10/30/2018 10:10 AM Page 2 Chair’s Column Continued from cover. Dick Record Family Radio, La Crosse PRESIDENT’S COLUMN Continued from page 1 As Tim is moving on to a more relaxing way of life, inspired by the outpouring of support and responsibilities for the site are now being encouragement from our entire membership. transferred to the WBA team. It goes without saying I hope you’ll agree that while there’s always room Wisconsin Broadcasters Association that Tim is definitely responsible for making the site for improvement, overall, this is a footprint your Officers & Board of Directors the valuable resource it is today. WBA, your WBA Foundation, and YOU, our valued OFFICERS 2018-2019 Tim, on behalf of the WBA Membership and the members, can be proud of. Chair of the Board WBA Team, THANK YOU for all you’ve done for (oh…and…if you haven’t had a chance to watch Steve Wexler Wisconsin’s broadcast journalists! the debates yet, they’re on our museum site: E. W. Scripps Company, Milwaukee WBA Foundation wisconsinbroadcastingmuseum.org) Vice Chair - Television, Chair Elect Steve Lavin WBAY-TV, Green Bay I hope you had a chance to watch as your WBA Broadcasters Clinic Treasurer Foundation continued our proud nearly 30 year And last, but certainly not least… Chris Bernier Radio Plus, Marinette/Fond du Lac tradition of hosting statewide debates for all Make sure to take a look at the recap of this year’s Secretary general election races for all U.S. Senate and Don Vesely WMTV-TV, Madison amazing, award-winning (many times over) gubernatorial races. This year we brought statewide Immediate Past Chair Broadcasters Clinic! It’s hard to believe but the Clinic attention to two key races: The U.S. Senate debate Dick Record Family Radio, La Crosse Committee, under the leadership of Kent was on Oct. 13 in the Wausau/Rhinelander market Aschenbrenner (and of course, our own Linda Baun BOARD OF DIRECTORS and our gubernatorial debate was on Oct. 19 in the who puts many of her own special touches on the Madison market. Judson Beck WLAX-TV/WEUX-TV, entire 3-day event) put together an event that La Crosse/Eau Claire The WBA Foundation thanks our long-time debate topped last year’s Clinic. Yes, our nationally- Lynn Bieritz Mid-West Family Broadcasting, sponsor, WAICU, and everyone in the host markets recognized Clinic becomes more popular every Eau Claire who worked so hard to make these debates a year! PLEASE make a note to send your engineer Keith Bratel iHeart Media, Madison success. next year (and GM’s, we’d love to have you join us Juli Buehler WLUK-TV, Green Bay It’s been interesting to look back at my notes from on the impressive exhibit floor; a perfect Brian Burns Morgan Murphy Media, Madison when both boards asked us in early 2013 to come opportunity for you and your engineer). It’s often up with a new WBA Debate Plan, with a goal of said that our Broadcasters Clinic is the best event of Paul Cameron The Family Radio Network, Appleton being more inclusive of our membership by its kind in the country, drawing in attendees from Dave EdwardsWUWM-FM, Milwaukee Public Radio, Milwaukee encouraging a more market-based approach. From an average of 20 states per year. And, lucky you, the formation of the Debate Committee (with Wisconsin broadcasters…it’s right in your own JT Koser Koser Radio Group, Rice Lake/Hayward recommendations coming from both boards) to the backyard. Lupita Montoto La Movida WLMV Radio, Madison re-evaluating and refining throughout a 6-month We’d love to see you there! Mark your calendars for Mark Strachota Weigel Broadcasting Co., period with the final plan being passed at the Joint Oct. 15-17, 2019 at the Madison Marriott West. Board Meeting in 2014, it’s been a wonderfully Milwaukee Remember to vote on Nov. 6 (if not before) . rewarding experience to see the final plan put into Chuck Sullivan Entercom Communications, Hales Corners action. Four years later, we’ve held debates in all five It’s hard to believe that Thanksgiving is only a few markets. weeks away. Jan Wade WISN-TV, Milwaukee Jeff Welton Nautel, Hackett’s Cove, Nova Scotia I think the best part (for me) has been watching On a personal note, I know I am most thankful to be how well our markets have worked able to work with your WBA Team, Linda, Liz, and Michael Wright Midwest Communications, Wausau together…competitors who come together, Kyle.