Radio showmanship (Jan-Dec 1943)

AIR FAX: First Broadcast: June 28, 1943. Broadcast Schedule: Monday through Saturday, 8:30 8:40 A.M. Preceded By: Music. Followed By: Music. Sponsor: Gimbel Bros. Station: KDKA, Pittsburgh, Pa. Power: 50,000 watts. Population: 1,072,545. Agency: J. Grant Adv. Agcy. COMMENT: While most successful radio advertisers have been content to hitch their commercial messages to programs with real entertainment value, too many department stores have tried to make merchandise the whole show. When such programs failed to live up to expectations, retailers blamed radio. Properly used, radio does as good a job for department stores as any other medium. Here is one combination of news and merchandising that seems destined for success. Manufacturers HANDY MAN While the advent of women into industry as mechanics may relegate the proverbial handy man around the Jiouse to the attic, WOR's Handy Alan comes in strong with New York kitchen queens. As an antidote for the multitude of feminine advisers for busy housew^ives and homemakers, the Handy Man is a right nice guy to have around every weekday at 12:45 P.M. With masculine matter-of-factness he copes with household crises, gives advice and suggestions in the light and humorous vein. Participating sponsors for whom a word to the wives is sufficient include the Victor Division of RCA. AIR FAX: With music and song, emcee Jack Creamer also soothes the harried housewife. First Broadcast: August 9, 1943. Broadcast Schedule: Monday through Friday, 12:451:00 P.iM. Preceded By: News. Followed By: News. Sponsor: Victor RCA, others. Station: WOR, New York city. Power: 50,000 watts. COMMENT: Here is a relatively undeveloped vein of rich j^ay dirt. W^hile household programs done in the straight style have generally proved productive, network success with this lighter treat ment indicates wide listener acceptance. Of prime importance is a personality announcer with a glib tongue and a genuine sense of humor. Murtuaries MY PRAYER WAS ANSWERED Where or when the Grim Reaper will next strike is something no man can say. But when death comes as death does, to all, religion is the chief solace of mortal man. To bring comfort in just this spirit, the Conn ALLY Funeral Homes, Waco, Tex., offers WACO listeners My Prayer Was Answered. The weekly nonsectarian quarter-hour is a Sunday institutional offering for Sunday listening. Dignified and restrained, the transcribed feature has all-family dramatic appeal. AIR FAX: There are 13 platters in this transcribed feature. First Broadcast: October 3, 1943. Broadcast Schedule: Sunday, 5:45-6:00 P.M. Preceded By: Music. Followed By: News. Sponsor: Connally Funeral Homes. Station: WACO, Waco, Tex. Power: 250 watts. Population: 55,982. Producer: Harry Jacobs. COMMENT: As hard to find as the needle in the haystack are programs perfectly suited for this particular business field. One such availability is the series here. It can also be adapted to almost any business enterprise for its institutional value. Service Stations CLASSIFIED ADS Wartime has brought about a scarcity of more than nylon stockings, tires and bobbie pins. To help those who were finding wartime on the homefront a little difficult because of the need of stoves, washing machines, sewing machines, other items not manufactured during wartime, a classified ad program was scheduled on WTBO, Cumberland, Md. The audience was asked to search attics, closets and garages for things that they did not need and would sell, or that they would like to trade. 416 RADIO SHOWMANSHIP