NAB reports (Jan-Dec 1941)

a supplement to this issue of NAB Reports, is recom¬ mended to stations for use on new business. The commit¬ tee has sought to recommend a contract that it believes is representative of the practices of the great majority of stations. It recognizes, however, that some of the recom¬ mended provisions may not be in accordance with the policy of some stations. Individual stations will, of course, make any changes necessary to adapt the contract to conform with their particular policies. It should be noted that the contract is so drawn as to be capable of use in selling time to a local advertiser as well as a recognized agency. For convenience to all concerned it is suggested that all stations use size x 11" paper, and that the three copies be (1) white, (2) canary yellow, and (3) salmon pink. Contracts submitted by agencies may be different from the NAB recommended contract. Stations should ex¬ amine such contracts carefully to ascertain whether they conform to the recommended form, if station decides to adopt it. Upon being advised of the committee’s action by Chair¬ man Wilder, Neville Miller, in behalf of the membership, expressed his deep appreciation of the untiring efforts of the committee, the members of which have devoted an enormous amount of their time and energies to a difficult and tedious task. Present at the joint meeting on the contract were: Ned Midgley, Batten, Barton, Durstine and Osborne, Chair¬ man; C. T. Ayres, Ruthrauff and Ryan, Inc.; Carlos Franco, Young and Rubicam; William Fricke, AAAA; Fred Gamble, AAAA; John Hymes, Lord and Thomas; William JMaillefert, Compton Adon, Inc.; and R. T. Turnbull, AAAA, of the AAAA Committee, and, Harry C. Wilder, WSYR, Chairman; R. L. Harlow, Yankee Net¬ work; Richard H. Mason, WPTF ; Edward Petry, Edward Petry and Co., Inc.; Frank A. Seitz, WFAS; Dale Taylor, WENY; Lee B. Wailes, Westinghouse ; and Paul E. Peter and Russell P. Place, NAB, of the NAB-AAAA Conference Committee. The full NAB Committee was also in attendance at the Monday meeting and the Tuesday evening meeting. The committee is still considering an invoice form. Considerable progress was made at the Tuesday meeting and definite recommendations will probably be reported by the end of this month. Present at the joint meeting on the invoice were the members of the NAB Committee above-named and the following members of the AAAA Fiscal Committee: Mr. Bell, Ruthrauff and Ryan, Inc.; Mr. Beurmann, CampbellEwald; Mr. W. A. Fricke, AAAA; Mr. Fred Gamble, AAA.'\; Mr. R. T. Turnbull, AAAA; i\Ir. Yan LTt, ErwinWasey; and, Mr. Vasoll, Kenyon and Eckhardt. HIGHLIGHTS OF RECOMMENDED CONTRACT Face of Contract: The instrument is a contract and not an order. It should be signed in duplicate by both parties and doubt¬ less a third copy will be found useful. If the contract is made with an advertiser, all references in the contract to agency apply to advertiser. Back of Contract: The “Conditions of Contract” on the back are part of the contract. The following highlights should be noted: 2. TERMINATION. Twenty-eight days of broadcasting is contracted for before termination can become operative; after fourteen days broadcasting, termination may be effected on four¬ teen days written notice. 3. INABILITY TO BROADC.AST. Station is liable only for pro rata reduction in time charges irrespective of whether commer¬ cials are omitted or interrupted. S. RATES. This is the portion of the contract that some stations may find not adapted to their use under their rate policies; it should be carefully studied. It is believed by the committee to represent the policies of the great majority of stations, and to be self-explanatory. 7. INDEMNITY. Station indemnifies for station material. Station material consists of (1) all material used in programs fur¬ nished by station except material furnished by agency in connec¬ tion with such programs, and (2) copyrighted musical compositions performed under the BMI license. (This applies to such BMI material whether in live talent programs or on transcriptions. Station is in turn indemnified by BMI and has the benefit of the insurance policy taken out by BMI. The BMI license itself also runs in favor of agencies and advertisers.) Everything else is ‘•agency material” as to which agency indemnifies station. SALES PROMOTION CALENDAR The sales promotion calendar issued annually by the National Retail Dry Goods Association can be obtained through the NAB Bureau of Radio Advertising at $2.50 a copy. The calendar lists all the important anniversaries, “weeks,” etc., useful for both programming and selling. NAB DISTRICT MEETINGS SCHEDULED A continuation of the series of District meetings w'hich took place prior to the first of the year will get under way next Monday, January 13, with a meeting of the broad¬ casters of Tennessee, Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi. Director Edwin W. Craig, WSM, of the Sixth NAB Dis¬ trict, has invited all broadcasters, regardless of member¬ ship in NAB or BMI, to be on hand to review the music situation and to be brought up to date on other industry matters. Ed Kirby, Public Relations Director of NAB, will dis¬ cuss general industry problems and Association activities, while Carl Haverlin, Stations Relations ^Manager of BMI, will deal with the music situation. The next meeting in point of time is that of the Six January 10, 1941 — 29