Broadcasting (Jan - June 1939)

ONE KIND OF * ovvn .• ^^Pho,.^ ^ for 4 the r.., and Or pro Rural Survey (Continued from page 16) viation in the answers to the latter, which included 12 classes of merchandise, was less than 1%. Advertised Brands Percentages of interviewed families using advertised brands of each product were found as follows by CBS: Toilet soap, 91%; kitchen soap, 81%; kitchen cleanser, 82%; canned soups, 49%; condensed milk, 37%; tomato or fruit juice, 46% ; packaged cereals, 80%; packaged coffee, 84%; wrapped bread, 77 % ; tooth paste or powder, 92%; face powder, 89%; lipstick or rouge, 66%. The investigators also found that the longer the rural radios were in use, the more advertised brands were found on rural pantry shelves, the average number of brand products running from 7.8 in homes where the radio was on less than two hours daily to 9.7 where the radio was on eight hours or more. Average daily listening in rural areas was found by CBS to be 4 hours and 42 minutes, by the Joint Committee to be 4 hours and 47 minutes. The Daniel Starch quarterly studies of urban listening made for CBS in 1937 showed a national daily average of 5.2 hours. From the answers to its questions as to which stations are listened to in the evening and which in the daytime, CBS found that its affiliate stations are heard regularly by 87% of the total rural audience in the evening hours and by 72% of that audience in the daytime. In describing the method used in the collection of data, the report says, "We agreed with the Joint Committee, that only through carefully distributed personal interviews can a study of this kind be as useful — and reliable — as it should be." Honor Sarnoff, De Forest DAVID SARNOFF, president of RCA, though absent in Miami, was the recipient Feb. 11 of the first Marconi Memorial Gold Medal of Achievement awarded by the Veteran Wireless Operators Association at its annual dinner in New York. Dr. Lee DeForest, absent in Los Angeles, was named honorary president. Awards were also given to Richard Stoddard, radio operator of Howard Hughes' around the world flight; Patrick Chapman, radio operator of the Cavalier crash; T. D. Haubner, on the 30th anniversary of his sending the first SOS flash; Alexander Hamilton, radio operator of the Standard Oil tanker Esse Baytown which rescued the Cavalier survivors; Charles Hogger, for rescuing lives at sea, and Jack Binns, commemorating the 30th anniversary of the call for help he lashed during the Republic disaster of Jan. 23, 1909. McAnn Shoes on WBBM MELVILLE SHOE Co., New York (Thom McAnn shoes), has started thrice weekly quarter-hour news broadcasts on WBBM, Chicago. Featured on the 52-week program is Todd Hunter, WBBM news commentator, 10:30-10:45 p. m., Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. NeffRogow, New York, is agency. TELEVISION STUDY PLAmED BY FCC THE FCC Television Committee, comprising Commissioners Craven, Brown and Case, is understood to be contemplating hearings on the whole subject of television standards and experimentation, with a view toward recommending definite policy which would permit testing of public intei'est in the visual medium as well as orderly experimental development. The committee, named Jan. 3, has held several meetings, including a conference with engineers representing the Radio Manufacturers Association which submitted engineering standards for future experimental transmission of television. Fourteen proposed standards were advanced, with two additional proposals to be offered soon. RMA has announced it is preparing for early public hearings by the Commission on television standardization. GE Medal to WMAL WMAL, Washington, on Feb. 10 was awarded the General Electric Co. medal given annually to the NBC-operated station losing the least time from the air during the year. Presentation was made at a luncheon by Boyd Bullock, GE assistant manager for broadcasting. H. A. Wadsworth, WMAL transmitter engineer, accepted the plaque. The station lost only 4 minutes and 25 seconds of 6,900 scheduled hours. Frank Russell, NBC vice-president in Washington, presided at the luncheon. Other speakers were Sam KaufTman, assistant business manager of the Washington Star, owner of WMAL, and George McElrath, operating engineer for NBC stations. Recordings Exhibit AS A PART of the Tenth Institute for Education by Radio at Ohio State U., Columbus, May 1-3, the third American exhibition of recordings of educational radio programs will be held. Entries close March 15, with programs classified into two groups — networks, national organizations and clear channel stations; local and regional stations and organizations. All entries must have been broadcast since March 15, 1938, according to I. Keith Tyler, Institute secretary. FTC Stipulations STIPULATIONS to cease alleged misleading advertising claims have been signed with the Federal Trade Commission by Banfi Products Corp., New York. Knox Co., Los Angeles, has been ordered by the FTC to cease certain claims for its Nixoderm. Philip Morris & Co., New York (cigarettes) has been ordered to cease certain alleged lottery methods in the distribution of its product. Pilot's Feeler PILOT RADIO MFG. Co., Long Island City, New York, on Feb. 28 will start a test campaign sponsoring Arthur Hale, Transradio newscaster, on WOR, Newark, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, 11-11:15 p. m., and plans more radio later this week. Austin & Spector, New York, placed the account. Page 78 • February 15, 1939 BROADCASTING • Broadcast Advertising