WWOZ Board of Directors General Manager’s Report December 9, 2015
1. Fall 2015 Membership Drive. WWOZ’s fall 2015 Membership Drive took place from November 3-13, 2015. WWOZ received $178,856 in donations from 1,380 members during the drive, a 4% decrease compared to the $186,353 that WWOZ received from 1364 members during the fall 2014 drive. 676 members residing within the New Orleans metropolitan area participated (an 8% increase over fall 2014) and donated $99,198 (a 7% decrease from fall 2014). 287 donors opted to become sustaining (i.e., “Krewe of Roux”) members during the drive, an increase of 10% over the 260 sustaining donors who signed up during the fall 2014 drive. These sustaining members donated $4,853 during the drive, an increase of 63% over the $2,980 donated by sustaining members during the fall 2014 drive. 738 members from outside the New Orleans area participated (a decrease of 5% from fall 2014) and donated $79,658, an amount equal to monies received from donors outside of New Orleans during the fall 2014 drive.
2. Membership. As of October 31, 2015, WWOZ has received $76,086 in donations for FY 2016, a year-to-date increase of 6% over the $71,696 received during the same period in FY 2015. 83% of the members who donated to WWOZ during the period were sustaining members; as of October 31, 2014, only 35% of donations had come from sustaining members. Out-of-state members accounted for 44% of donations during the reporting period; during the same period in FY 2014, 57% of donations came from members living outside of Louisiana.
3. Underwriting & Sponsorship. As of October 31, 2015, WWOZ has earned $23,976 in underwriting and sponsorship p revenue for FY 2016, a decrease of 10% from the $26,721 in revenue generated during the same period in FY 2015. In the month of October 2015 alone, WWOZ underwriting and sponsorship revenue totaled $12,051, a 32% decrease from the $17,815 in revenue generated during October 2014. WWOZ signed six new underwriting & sponsorship agreements in November 2015: Loyola University of New Orleans’ Montage Fine & Performing Arts Series, the Contemporary Arts Center for Troker in Concert, Winter Circle Productions for “A Truly Funky Affair,” Spotlight New Orleans with John Calhoun, the Trombone Shorty Foundation, and StayLocal.
4. Swamp Shop. As of October 31, 2015, the WWOZ Swamp Shop has generated $3,417 for FY 2016, a 68% decrease from the revenue of $10,631 in October 2014. During the month of October 2015, Swamp Shop sales totaled $2,570, a 59% decrease from sales of $6,315 in October 2014. On November 14-15, 2015, the Swamp Shop was on hand at the 2015 Treme Creole Gumbo Festival in Armstrong Park to sell merchandise.
5. Major Giving. As of October 31, 2015, WWOZ has generated $7,910 in revenue from major donors for FY 2016, compared to $8,850 in revenue for the same period in FY 2015, an 11% decrease. Major Giving has initiated an end-of-year ask, reaching out to current and potential major donors.
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WWOZ Board of Directors General Manager’s Report December 9, 2015
6. WWOZ Video. The WWOZ Video team produced three short videos to promote the fall 2014 Membership Drive, each featuring a montage of local musicians endorsing support for WWOZ, and using footage gathered during prior in-studio appearances. The promotional spots for the drive were featured on the WWOZ.org homepage and on WWOZ’s social media platforms. During the ten days of the membership drive, WWOZ Video, with a crew of 12 people, filmed a total of 26 artists performing in the studio and streamed all performances live on the web. In addition, the video team provided New Media with an edited copy of one song from each artist within two hours, to facilitate promotion on social media and WWOZ.org. The most-viewed video posted on Facebook during the drive featured Kyle Roussel performing the late Allen Toussaint’s “Southern Nights” in the WWOZ studio on November 12, 2015, a post that reached 88,700 Facebook news feeds and garnered 19,500 page views.
On November 4, 2015, WWOZ released the first installment of a new series on the WWOZ Vimeo page entitled WWOZ Video Closeup, featuring an interview with and exclusive rehearsal footage of Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews.
On November 10, 2015—two hours after the media announced the death of Allen Toussaint—WWOZ was able to provide an edited version of his final performance in New Orleans, at the 2015 Crescent City Blues & BBQ Festival on October 17, 2015, for use by the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation and the WWOZ New Media team. WWOZ Video delivered Mr. Toussaint’s performance
On November 19, 2015, WWOZ Video filmed two interviews live in the studio, both conducted during the New Orleans Music Show, featuring show host Nita Ketner: an interview with vocalist Erica Falls and an interview with Lou Hill and Cinese, members of the funk band Water Seed. On November 20, 2015, the video team recorded the two-hour tribute to Allen Toussaint held at the Orpheum Theater.
On November 29, 2015, WWOZ Video provided an edited version of Nigel Hall performing “Baby, I Do Love You” at WWOZ Piano Night 2015 for the New Music Spotlight blog on WWOZ.org. The video team also completed post-production on footage of the “One Book One New Orleans” literacy campaign’s season finale event, shot at Celebration Hall on October 28, 2015.
On December 4, 2015, WWOZ delivered more than 30 hours of archive-quality video shot at the Crescent City Blues & BBQ Festival in 2014 and 2015, as well as the two- hour Tribute to Allen Toussaint at the Orpheum Theater to the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation Archive.
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WWOZ Board of Directors General Manager’s Report December 9, 2015
7. New Media. In the month of November 2015, WWOZ’s online listenership spiked dramatically—unfortunately, due in large part to the passing of Allen Toussaint. On November 10, 2015, the day Mr. Toussaint’s death was announced, WWOZ’s online audience was three times higher than usual; during the live broadcast of the “Tribute to Allen Toussaint” event on November 20, 2015, WWOZ’s online audience was six times higher than usual for that date. During the fall 2015 Membership Drive, WWOZ's Facebook activity garnered 1,585,338 views (in large part due to a new focus on video clips of live in-studio performances), and WWOZ's Twitter posts made 354,873 impressions. On November 18, 2015, WWOZ launched an on-demand, two-week archive, and now online listeners can listen to any show—at any time---that has aired in the previous two weeks. Since the November General Manager’s Report, WWOZ has begun use of Spinitron, an online playlist-management solution for non-commercial community and educational radio stations. Spinitron is a web-based database and application that handles playlist data capture, archiving, reporting, and dynamic online publishing, among many other features. Spinitron will integrate with WWOZ’s current real-time playlist and allow hosts to correct, amplify, or otherwise edit their individual show play lists.
8. “A Fair to Remember” Concert. The Historic New Orleans Collection and the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra have commissioned WWOZ to film and record the concert “A Fair to Remember: The 1884-1885 Concert Season in New Orleans,” the tenth annual installment of their joint Musical Louisiana: America's Cultural Heritage series. The concert will be held at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, January 27, 2016, at St. Louis Cathedral, and will feature works by J.S. Bach, Charles Gounod, and Richard Wagner, among others, as well as vocal performances by students attending the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts (NOCCA). The Musical Louisiana series also provides educational packets that include audio and video to more than 2,000 fifth- and eighth-grade teachers in Louisiana's public schools, as part of an initiative to highlight Louisiana’s musical legacy.
9. Outreach. WWOZ hosted an outreach table at the Treme Creole Gumbo Festival during the weekend of November 14-15, 2015. On November 25, 2015, NOCCA invited WWOZ Video Director Charles Steiner to address students in the Media Arts Department, where he discussed WWOZ’s Video Unit, showed sample videos (including a profile of NOCCA alumnus Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews), and discussed future collaboration between WWOZ and NOCCA with the faculty and staff.
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WWOZ Board of Directors General Manager’s Report December 9, 2015
10. Fall 2015 Membership Drive In-Studio Performers & On-air Guests.
November 3, 2015: Walter “Wolfman” Washington, Maria Muldaur, Max Moran Trio November 4, 2015: The Messy Cookers, Leo Nocentelli with Michael “Soulman” Baptiste, Bob Malone, Jimmy “Bean” Ballero Blues Band, Barry Stephenson Trio November 5, 2015: Erica Falls, Arséne DeLay, Patrice Fisher & Arpa, The Dominatrix Infamous Intergalactic Awesome Band November 6, 2015: Haruka Kikuchi, Eric Lindell, Washboard Chaz, The Jesse Smith Project November 9, 2015: Soul Brass Band, Little Freddie King November 10, 2015: Smoking Time Jazz Club, Marcello Benetti “Shuffled” Quartet November 11, 2015: Colin Lake Band, Big Daddy O, Calvin Johnson Trio, Brent Anderson Quartet November 12, 2015: Dr. Mike Torregano, Trombone Shorty Academy Brass Band (Cuttin’ Class), Charlie Wooten, Kyle Roussel, Missy’s House Band November 13, 2015: John Mooney, Stooges Brass Band
11. In-Studio Performers and On-air Guests.
November 2, 2015: Linda Pompa November 15, 2015: Dale & Anne Martin (The Bluegrass Martins), Eric Baucom November 16, 2015: Erica Dudas, Russ Broussard, Susan Cowsill, Aden Paul & Sick, Ted Hefko, Gregg & Liz Albright, Jenny Hamilton, Donald Williams, Mark Rapp, Brady Millard-Kish, Mark DiFlorio November 17, 2015: Charlie Hahoran, Cosmin Chivu, Helen Gillet, Roy Salomon, Jr., Wess Anderson, Mark Rapp, Rob Cambre, Paul Lovens, Flo Stoffner November 18, 2015: Jimmy Robinson November 19, 2015: Kathryn Para, Paul Adams, Chantel & Jimmie Watson, Erica Falls, Lou Hill & Cinese (Water Seed) November 20, 2015: Jess Cotton, “Kitty” Appell, Todd Franklin, Yulene Velasquez, Philip Yiannopoulos November 22, 2015: Andy J. Forest, James Blooze November 23, 2015: Gary Negbarr, Brice Miller November 25, 2015: William Archambeault, Charlotte Gill, Ginger Schweikert. Alex McMurray, Jay Dufour November 30, 2015: Jason Neville, Marc Joseph, Seth Hitsky, Mike Olander, Kelcy Mae, Mark McGrain, Gaynielle Neville, Kimberly Denesse
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WWOZ Board of Directors General Manager’s Report December 9, 2015
12. Remote Live Broadcasts & Recordings.
November 20, 2015:
A Tribute to Dr. Allen Toussaint Orpheum Theater, New Orleans
Cyril Neville, Deacon John, Aaron Neville, Davell Crawford, Irma Thomas, Jimmy Buffett, Elvis Costello, John Boutte, Boz Scaggs, Brian “Breeze” Cayolle, Dr. John, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Trombone Shorty, Mayor Mitch Landrieu, Eric Paulsen, Joshua Feigenbaum, Pastor Michael Green, and Quint Davis
13. Upcoming Remote Live Broadcasts & Recordings.
8:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m., Saturday, December 12, 2015:
Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah in Concert Presented by the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation The George and Joyce Wein Jazz & Heritage Center, New Orleans
7:30 p.m., Wednesday, January 27, 2016:
“A Fair to Remember: The 1884-1885 Concert Season in New Orleans” Presented by the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra and the Historic New Orleans Collection St. Louis Cathedral, New Orleans
14. Press.
Radio World/radioworld.com: “WWOZ Gets Its Groove Online” David Stafford, December 2, 2015
“As a small station, we rely on alternate platforms like the Internet and streaming music clips to expand our audience. As an early adopter of streaming technology, starting in the late ’90s, we have experienced a lot of growth outside our terrestrial broadcast footprint. Today, approximately half of our listeners come from outside Louisiana. Since our funding comes mostly from small donations from listeners, reliable and high-quality streams open up potential worldwide revenue sources.”
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WWOZ Board of Directors General Manager’s Report December 9, 2015
14. Press (cont).
Los Angeles Daily News/dailynews.com: “Allen Toussaint’s All-Star Farewell” Steve Smith, November 30, 2015
“New Orleans’ favorite son, songwriting-producing pianist Allen Toussaint, received a Big Easy farewell at the venerable Orpheum broadcast live on 90.7FM WWOZ radio, reports Vintage Vinyl News. Toussaint died at 77 in Madrid after a concert.”
midcitymessenger.com: “Neighborhood groups celebrate local shopping with Small Business Saturday event” Tyree Worthy, November 27, 2015
“Business, shopping and culture along Bayou Road will be the focus of a community- wide celebration this Saturday, Nov. 28. Hosted by StayLocal, Broad Community Connections, and WWOZ 90.7 FM, it will feature the reveal of a new street art piece and a second line.”
nola.curbed.com: “Treme Home with a New Orleans Music Past Asks $419K” Lauren LaBorde, November 25, 2015
“The listing agent, Eric Wilkinson, tells me the very first WWOZ broadcast took place in the home's basement before moving to a studio location.”
radiosurvivor.com: “Listening to ‘Alice’s Restaurant’ on the Radio on Thanksgiving 2015” Jennifer Waits, November 24, 2015
“Some stations are already playing ‘Alice’s Restaurant’ in advance of Thanksgiving. WWOZ 90.7 FM in New Orleans will be airing it on the Kitchen Sink show tonight (Tuesday, November 24, 2015) at 10pm Central Standard Time.”
voiceherald.com: “Allen Toussaint, New Orleans R&B Pioneer, Dies at 77” Dora Ramos, November 21, 2015
“The singer, songwriter, producer and piano player, an indispensable part of the sound of New Orleans, was 77. Tuesday, WWOZ radio interrupted its fall fundraising for a day- long tribute to Toussaint.”
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WWOZ Board of Directors General Manager’s Report December 9, 2015
14. Press (cont).
The Times-Picayune/nola.com: “Orpheum Theater fills with Allen Toussaint fans and New Orleans musicians as star-studded tribute set to begin” Doug MacCash, November 20, 2015
“A tribute featuring, according to a program handed out at the Orpheum, Cyril Neville, Deacon John, Davell Crawford, Irma Thomas, Jimmy Buffett, Elvis Costello, John Boutte, Boz Scaggs, the Preservation Hall Brass Band and Troy ‘Trombone Shorty’ Andrews, is set to begin around 11 a.m. It is slated to be broadcast live on WWOZ.org.”
The News Star [Monroe, LA]/thenewsstar.com: “A musical farewell to Allen Toussaint” Cain Burdeau, November 20, 2015
“The tribute was at the Orpheum, recently renovated and reopened a decade after it was damaged by Hurricane Katrina. The performances were carried live on the city’s community radio station WWOZ. Toussaint’s body lay in repose in a closed casket in the theater.”
The Daily Advertiser [Lafayette, LA]/theadvertiser.com: “NOLA to pay tribute to the great Allen Toussaint” Cain Burdeau, November 20, 2015
“After the public visitation, a lineup of musicians is to perform a musical tribute to Toussaint. The tribute is to be played live on the city’s community radio station WWOZ.”
WGNO-TV/wgno.com: “Toussaint tribute to feature some of music’s biggest stars” Jeff Hamburger, November 20, 2015
“Jazz Fest creator Quint Davis will serve as Master of Ceremonies and the sermon will be given by Pastor Michael Green. The event is being held at the Orpheum Theater and is also being simulcast on local radio station WWOZ.”
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WWOZ Board of Directors General Manager’s Report December 9, 2015
14. Press (cont).
Voice of America/voanews.com: “A Musical Farewell for New Orleans Music Legend Toussaint” via Associated Press, November 20, 2015
“The tribute was at the Orpheum, recently renovated and reopened a decade after it was damaged by Hurricane Katrina. The performances were carried live on the city's community radio station WWOZ. Toussaint's body lay in repose in a closed casket in the theater.”
WBRZ-TV [Baton Rouge]/wbrz.com: “Family, fans gather for Allen Toussaint funeral, tribute” Brock Sues, November 20, 2015
“Public visitation was held at the recently restored theatre from 8 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. with musical performances starting at 11 a.m. The services were broadcasted live via local radio station WWOZ’s website.”
The Times-Picayune/nola.com: “Mid-City shops embrace Small Business Saturday” Melinda Shelton, November 19, 2015
“Dozens of locally owned businesses have registered for this year's event on Nov. 28. The official kickoff is 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. outside the Community Book Center, 2523 Bayou Road. The Soul Brass Band will lead a second line sponsored by Broad Community Connections, WWOZ 90.7 FM, and StayLocal, and local mural artist Brandan Odums will unveil his newest work.”
The Times-Picayune/nola.com: “Allen Toussaint public tribute on Friday will be broadcast live on WWOZ” Times-Picayune/NOLA.com Staff, November 19, 2015
“‘WWOZ is honored that the Toussaint family is giving us the opportunity to share the tribute to Allen,’ Dwayne Breashears, WWOZ program director said in a press release, noting that the broadcast will allow those unable to attend to experience the tribute.”
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WWOZ Board of Directors General Manager’s Report December 9, 2015
14. Press (cont).
Offbeat/offbeat.com: “Tunes for Toys: Trombone Shorty Foundation Gives Back to the Community” Noé Cugny, November 19, 2015
“‘What’s cool about it for us is that it gives the students that are in our Trombone Shorty Academy the opportunity to perform live in front of a large audience, and also to share the stage with Troy,’ said the foundation’s executive director Bill Taylor. The students had a chance to play in WWOZ’s Cuttin’ Class series earlier this month.”
Offbeat/offbeat.com: “WWOZ to Broadcast Allen Toussaint Tribute” Sam D'Arcangelo, November 19, 2015
“Tomorrow’s tribute to the late Allen Toussaint at the Orpheum Theatre will be broadcast live on WWOZ. The program will begin at 11am CT on Friday, November 20. Fans that are unable to listen via 90.7FM in the New Orleans area will be able to tune in at wwoz.org.”
Folio Weekly [Jacksonville, FL] /folioweekly.com: “Keepers of the Flame: Nearly 40 years on, Dirty Dozen Brass Band still mixes New Orleans’ many strains of musical gumbo to sumptuous effect” Folio Weekly Staff November 18, 2015
“Daryl’s, a Seventh Ward institution, is where Jerry Brock of local radio station WWOZ—begun specifically to celebrate the cultural heritage of New Orleans music— discovered the Dirty Dozen. ‘I’ll never forget the first time I walked in Daryl’s,’ Brock said in the ’08 book Keep the Beat. ‘The place was just exploding. The people were so exuberant—rolling on the floor! The Dirty Dozen had renewed this music to speak to the contemporary New Orleans community.’”
Esquire/esquire.com: “What Does Politico Really Tell Us About the Lead-up to 9/11?” Charles P. Pierce, November 13, 2015
“Weekly WWOZ Pick To Click: Who else but the great Allen Toussaint, who passed away this week and left behind a body of work that runs through practically every genre of American popular music produced in the past 60 years? For me, I'll always be grateful for the horn charts he devised, practically on the fly, that made The Band's ‘Rock Of Ages’ my favorite live album of all time.”
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