Sponsor (1964)

LADIES MAN "Sunny" the seahorse comes from the Syngathidae family on the Hippocampus side. The male of the specie devotes his life to making things happier for the Mama Hippocampus. He's the producer in his family. Frankly, our "Sunny" goes all out to please the ladies. He brightens their days and nights. That's why the ladies of Tampa-St. Petersburg go for him. We'll let him produce for you, too! WSUN TELEVISION ® RADIO TAMPA ST. PETERSBURG If you feel we've been chewing too much kelp, ask: Nat. Rep.: Venard, Torbet & McConnell S.E. Rep.: Bomar Lowrance & Associates The NAB (aces a new dilemma ■ Now that it's all but assured that Governor LcRoy Collins is leaving his post as president of the NAB to become director of community relations service under the new civil rights legislation, the question facing the industry is: "What now?" For the present, at least, the NAB will probably continue to function under the experienced stewardship of executive vice president Vincent T. Wasilewski. A policy committee, similar to the one that served during the nine months between Hal Fellows' death and Governor Collins' assumption of office, may be appointed. For the long haul, there will be a battle over selecting a working broadcaster or a public figure. Last week I proposed a one-year moratorium on voting privileges for an incoming FCC commissioner while he orients himself. No such possibility is available to the new NAB president. Governor Collins put his foot into it almost from the start. I liked him and fought for him because he was ideally equipped to perform his top assignment — -to build appreciation for and advance the American system of free broadcasting. He did this well. He didn't understand broadcasters. And I believe that any other appointee to this important office who doesn't understand broadcasters and comes with high purpose will have his hands full also. For one thing, there's practically no subject that comes to the attention of the NAB president that doesn't have proponents and oppo nents. There are the networks, the big broadcasters, the little broadcasters, the daytimers, the VHFers, the UHFers and many other divisions, all clamoring for attention and consideration. Last week a net work president told me he didn't think the networks should be members of the NAB. Every one of these divisions of interest and opinion has a valid argument. For the new man the result must be a nightmare. But the industry does need a public figure at the helm. More than ever it needs a man who can protect and enchance our free enterprise system of broadcast advertising. If that man knows broadcasting, the combination could be ideal. At irregular intervals during the past 12 years, I have advanced the thought of a federated NAB. I'm convinced that some day the industry will come to it. At this juncture, this is what a federated setup would accomplish: It would permit a public figure to serve as president of the NAB with the division of activity that would allow him to emphasize his key job while learning the industry. He would not be involved in a crisis a minute. It would permit a highly qualified broadcasting expert to ser\c afl head of the tv division with his own objectives, own directors and own budget. It would permit a highly qualified expert to serve as head of the radio division on the same basis. It would permit the joint boards to meet and act on matters o* common purpose. It would minimize splinter groups and reduce waste. It would encourage new ideas and groups to shelter under the NAB roof. These are worthwhile objectives. }fT%**s SPONSOR