JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2016 CHAIR’S COLUMN Here’s what some of your fellow WBA members have to say about why YOU should plan to join Time to Reflect us for the My last column. Time to reflect on 2015 and what I've learned being your Chair. WBA’s State 1. How committed you all are to LOCALISM. It was a privilege to observe, Legislative read and write about your commitment. 2. How good Michelle is at rallying us to lobby and how effective we can Day be! A couple years ago a very close friend and telecom attorney told me a on January 27, 2016 Scott Chorski performance tax was WBA Chair practically a “done deal.” Who would have Clearly, we must continue exercising “I strongly encourage all of you thought we’d get the Sales Tax this muscle as much as Roger to make a difference for our exemption in Wisconsin? Clearly, we must continue exercising this muscle implores us to, as change seems to industry and participate in our as much as Roger implores us to, as be our only certainty. State Legislative Lobbying Day change seems to be our only certainty. this January. 3. How incredibly thoughtful, intelligent and committed the Executive Committee and What better way to explain our issues other WBA Board Directors are to our Association. To watch them crafting a new strategic plan than face-to-face with your legislator and/or and to address the challenge of finding new revenue sources for the NCSA program has their staff. Don’t worry about not knowing been a pleasure to observe. Continued on page 2 > what our issues are. Michelle and her staff (and fellow broadcasters) do an incredible job of educating you in advance. Step out of your comfort zone, and learn a lot about our issues, PRESIDENT’S COLUMN CONTENTS and what you can do to make a difference. Social/Digital Media Session/Round Table Sign up today.” Winter Conference & State Legislative Day 3 2016 Highlights Kelly Radandt WBA 2016 Slate of Officers and Directors Woodward Radio Group, Appleton/Green Bay Announced 4 I hope you all had a Awards Committee: Let the Nagging Begin 4 safe and joyous holiday “Participating in the annual Educator’s Column: season! 2016 WBA Student Seminar 5 WBA Legislative Day is the As we wind down from the hustle single most important thing a Student Awards for Excellence 6 Michelle & bustle of 2015 and welcome in WBA Congratulates Dave Black 8 Vetterkind, 2016, I’d like to take this member of the WBA can do. CAE Reporting on Religion Journalism Conference 8 opportunity to highlight a few of On federal issues we have the NAB. On state WBA President our events/deadlines that will be issues it is totally up to us. Wisconsin Broadcaster Elected and CEO President of NAFB 9 taking place within the next two Every individual member contact makes a Young Professionals’ Column: Monitoring months (you’ll find a more difference. It builds awareness and relation- Morale 10 detailed explanation of these items within this ships. Wisconsin state government impacts WCUB-AM, WLTU-FM acquired by Seehafer 10 issue of the Wisconsin Broadcaster). our business every day. From electric rates to Jacobs Media: Five Digital New Year’s • The WBA Awards For Excellence Deadline is the tax rates, from sales tax deductibility to Resolutions for Your Station 11 Wednesday, January 13 at 11:59 PM CDT. open records, from a property tax exemption on transmission equipment to regulation of WBA’s DC Trip 12 • Please join us for the WBA’s Social tower siting, government is part of our In Remembrance: Vic Eliason 13 Media Session/Industry Roundtable business lives more than many want to admit. Two Ways to honor Wisconsin Broadcasters 14 Discussions/WBA Social Reception on So be part of the solution. Engage in the Tuesday, January 26, and our Winter 2016 Walker Broadcast relationship-building and educational process Management Institute 15 Conference/State Legislative Day on Wednesday, we continue every Legislative Day. Continued on page 2 > Continued on page 2 > CHAIR’S COLUMN Continued from page 1 4. How very good decisions made by past are plenty of creative ideas in the strategic plan Boards gave us the time and flexibility to and through Michelle’s connections to her manage our way through our current colleagues in NASBA to morph WBA into its challenges. next iteration. 5. And then there is Michelle, Linda, Liz and Please support WBA as you have in the past or in Wisconsin Broadcasters Association Mandy. To say it has been an incredibly busy new ways that might emerge from our strategic Officers & Board of Directors and challenging over the past two-plus years is plan. I have no doubt the WBA will remain the an understatement. Michelle and team have model all others envy. The only way it wouldn’t is OFFICERS 2015-2016 managed this with grace and professionalism. if we somehow take it for granted. Chair of the Board 2016 will be a pivotal year for your WBA. There Scott Chorski WKBT-TV, La Crosse Vice Chair - Television/Chair Elect Tom Allen Quincy Broadcast Group, Madison Quotations about WBA’s State Legislative Day Continued from page 1 PRESIDENT’S Vice Chair - Radio COLUMN The opportunity cost of NOT participating can impact every Dick Record Continued from page 1 business in Wisconsin, including radio and TV stations, by Family Radio, La Crosse January 27. We really NEED paying more taxes, enduring more onerous regulation and Treasurer you—especially for the State having more public information kept from our news Steve Wexler E. W. Scripps Company, Milwaukee Legislative Visits & Reception. reporters. Secretary • January 28 is the registration We have begun the process of being respected, effective and successful. It requires near 100% member participation to Nancy Douglass deadline for the WBA’s WLKG-FM, Lake Geneva finish our agenda.” upcoming DC Trip, to take Immediate Past Chair place February 23 & 24). Roger Utnehmer Kelly Radandt Nicolet Broadcasting, Inc., Sturgeon Bay • Is there someone you’d like Woodward Radio Group, Appleton/Green Bay to nominate for the WBA President & CEO Hall of Fame or Local “We tell our salespeople how important it Michelle Vetterkind, CAE [email protected] Broadcast Legends? If so, is to make multiple touches with potential don’t forget that the Vice President - Administration Nomination Deadline (for clients throughout the year. It is very Linda Baun [email protected] both) is February 15. difficult to build a strong relationship and Have I mentioned lately that sell a client all in a 90-minute sales call. BOARD OF DIRECTORS it’s never boring at your But, not even making the call in the first place turns difficult Chris Bernier Radio Plus, Marinette/Fond du Lac WBA? into impossible. Lynn Bieritz Mid-West Family Broadcasting, Eau Claire So here’s to a happy, healthy, The WBA Legislative Day is the opportunity for all of our David Booth WXOW-TV, La Crosse and I might add prosperous (as members to either make a first contact, or continue a conver- Keith Bratel Milwaukee Radio Alliance, Milwaukee that certainly doesn’t hurt) sation that began months/years before. It’s a day that allows 2016! JT Koser Koser Radio Group, Rice Lake/Hayward our members to connect and represent our industry. Thank you, as always, for your Steve Lavin WBAY-TV, Green Bay I have found it gratifying to reach out to our senators and time and support. Lupita Montoto La Movida WLMV Radio, Madison state reps, and let them know what’s on our agenda, and ask that very important question: ‘What can we do for you?’ Gene Purcell WI ECB, Madison Chuck Steinmetz WITI-TV, Milwaukee Your WBA Executive Committee recently We owe it to ourselves and our industry to take the time and Don Vesely WMTV-TV, Madison voted to publish the Wisconsin represent.” Broadcaster on a bi-monthly basis Don Vesely, WMTV-TV, Madison Jan Wade WISN-TV, Milwaukee beginning with this, the Richard Wood Resonant Results, Cottage Grove January/February issue. In addition, your The WBA’s State Legislative Day is an Michael Wright Midwest Communications, Wausau WBA will continue to update you in a event that reminds us of the strength of Ex Officio - NAB Board most timely manner via e-mail (and Tom Walker Mid-West Family Broadcasting, Madison Facebook & Twitter) on legal, regulatory, relationships. educational, and other pertinent industry Even though we have our legislators on the air regularly, Wisconsin Broadcasters Association issues. Finally, you can ALWAYS find the meeting them in their office is valuable for us and is really 44 E. Mifflin Street, Suite 900 most up-to-date information on Jobs appreciated by them. The feedback has always been very Madison, WI 53703 Available/Wanted under the Careers tab positive. In addition, we return home better informed thanks Phone (608) 255-2600 on the WBA’s homepage (www.wi- to the information provided by the WBA and better Toll Free (800) 236-1922 broadcasters.org). connected thanks to the time we spend with fellow wi-broadcasters.org broadcasters. It’s a win-win day! Ron Fruit, WRCO AM/FM, Richland Center 2 Wisconsin Broadcaster | wi-broadcasters.org SOCIAL/DIGITAL MEDIA WINTER CONFERENCE SESSION AND INDUSTRY ROUND TABLE & STATE LEGISLATIVE DAY DISCUSSIONS Wednesday, January 27, 2016 | The Madison Concourse Hotel, Madison, Wisconsin Tuesday, January 26, 2016, 1 to 5 pm 8:00 AM Registration Opens, Continental Breakfast The Madison Concourse Hotel, Madison, Wisconsin 8:30–10:30 AM Job/Career Fair CAPITOL BALLROOM 10:45–11:45 AM EEO Session UNIVERSITY ROOM Social Digital Session HIRING SMART FOR BROADCASTERS: 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM Legal Issues in Hiring and Effective You’re online, but are you Strategies to Promote Equal relevant? You’re posting Employment Opportunity and content, but is anyone Prevent Unlawful Discrimination engaging? Engagement is the measure of success online.