Broadcasting (Jan - June 1940)

Radio Service Awards Begun By Georgia University System 'Pulitzer Prizes' Are to Be Offered Each Class of Station and One National Network a Year PUBLIC service awards for radio, paralleling those of the Pulitzer prizes in journalism and the arts, have been created by the University System of Georgia, to begin next year. To perpetuate the name of the late George Foster Peabody, eminent Southern philanthropist, the awards will be administered by the Henry W. Grady School of Journalism of the University of Georgia. The awards will be for the most distinguished and meritorious service rendered by each of three American stations in the clear, regional and local groups, and to one national network. Competition for the awards will be limited to work done during the calendar year, with the 1941 initial awards to be based on public service programs during the current year. A Goal Attained Long the goal of Lambdin Kay, pioneer broadcaster and now public service director of WSB, Atlanta, the awards were developed in collaboration with the NAB. Mr. Kay several years ago headed an NAB committee named for that purpose. Conferences were held in March [Broadcasting, March 15] with officials of the university regarding the project, and tentative approval first was given. The board of regents approved the project May 17. Participants in the conferences which resulted in crystallization of the plan included Dr. S. V. Sanford, chancellor of the University System; Marion Smith, chairman of the board of regents; Dr. Harmon W. Caldwell, president of the university; Mrs. Marjorie Peabody Waite, daughter of Mr. Peabody; John E. Drewry, director of the Grady School; Mr. Kay, and Harry Hodgson, of Athens, a personal friend of the late Mr. Peabody. Ed Kirby, NAB public relations director, participated in several of the conferences on behalf of the trade association. NAB President Neville Miller hailed the awards as a "new and noteworthy standard by which the public service contributions of the broadcasters will be gauged and measured". American broadcasters, he said, "are honored that under such distinguished and impartial auspices, annual awards will be bestowed for the most outstanding contributions rendered in the public interest which they are dedicated to serve." Mr. Kay observed that broadcasting has been too busy growing up to acquaint the world with its "indispensability in preserving democracy through true public service". Broadcasting stands alone today as the personification of the real meaning of free speech, he said. He expressed the wish that the new Peabody Radio Awards "hasten public acceptance of broadcasting's status as America's basic bulwark and safeguard to democracy." Following is the text of the resolution providing for the Peabody Awards : Recogniziug that the radio is an important medium of information, entertainment and public service, comparable to the press, the University of Georgia (chartered 1785), through the Henry W. Grady School of Journalism and a Board of Advisers, wiU confer annually, beginning in 1940, The George Foster Peabody Radio Awards for the most distinguished and meritorious service rendered by each of three American radio stations, representing the three major types of stations (local, regional and clear channel), and also by a national broadcasting chain, said awards to be given to perpetuate the memory of George Foster Peabody, benefactor and life trustee of the University of Georgia and friend of educational progress everywhere. These awards will be announced and bestowed puljlicly by the regents of the University System of Georgia, upon recommendation of the Advisory Board set up and maintained jointly by the University of Georgia, through the Henry W. Grady School of Journalism, and the NAB. The membership of this Advisory Board shall consist of the Chancellor of the University System of Georgia, and 11 other outstanding American citizens who have demonstrated in a notable degree their interest in public affairs, and who also by position and achievement are prepared to evaluate in an impartial and detached manner the contributions of radio stations and chains in connection with this award. The board is to be self-perpetuating, subject to the approval of the board of regents. Nominations for membership are to be made through the office of the Director of the Henry W. Grady School of Journalism. (The initial personnel of the Advisory Board will be submitted for approval by the Board of Regents in a separate resolution, this month.) Nominations of candidates for these awards shall be made in writing to the Director of the Henry W. Grady 'Open House' Clicks SO SUCCESSFUL was the "open house for newcomers to the Texas Panhandle" held May 23 by KGNC, Amarillo, Tex., that the station plans to hold a similar open house for new arrivals each month. Invitations to the function were extended via KGNC broadcasts and the Amarillo GlobeNews, and response was so great that an originally scheduled quarter-hour commemorative program was expanded on the spot to 25 minutes. Armour's 'Treet' List ARMOUR & Co., Chicago (Treet), the week of May 27 started a 13week campaign of thrice-weekly quarter-hour transcribed programs. Your Treat, featuring Charles Sears, tenor, and Harry Kogen's orchestra. Stations are WADC WGST WMAZ WTOC WBRC WEEI WGR WBT WLS WCKY WGAR WFAA KLZ WHO WWJ WTIC KTRH WSAZ WIRE WMBR WDAF KARK KFI WHAS WMC WIOD WISN KSTP WWL WEAF WTAR WKY KOIL KYW WCAE KGW WJAR WMBG KSD WOAI KPO KOMO KTBS KFPY WRC. Lord & Thomas, Chicago, handles the account. School of Journalism, the University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia. Each nomination must be accompanied by complete and self-evident data setting forth clearly the claim to consideration for one of these awards. Program subjects, program outlines, program transcripts, recordings, letters and other pertinent data should be so presented as to comprise an exhibit which will be a faithful record of the station's particular contribution to public service offered for consideration in this connection. Competition for one of these awards will be limited to work done during the calendar year ending Dec. 31 next preceding. The first award will be made in 1941, based on public service programs of 1940. The closing date for entries will be .Jan. 15. ^Radio Day' at Fair Is Set for August New York, San Francisco to Merge Fete for Free Air POSTPONEMENT of "Broadcasting Day" from July 4 to early August, so that both the New York and San Francisco World's Fairs can collaborate in the event, was agreed to May 24 by principals representing radio and the Fair organizations. Originally, a celebration had been planned at the New York Fair on Independence Day, at which a plaque sjrmbolic of radio was to have been dedicated. Under the tentatively revised plans, the event will be observed either Aug. 3 or Aug. 7 in two separate celebrations — at New York and San Francisco. Separate plaques will be unveiled. Moreover, it was understood that President Roosevelt would not be able to participate in July 4 ceremony whereas there is likelihood he will take an active part either on the scene or by remote control in the joint event. Convention Tie The new date, whether Aug. 3 or Aug. 7, will tie into the annual convention of the NAB in San Francisco, scheduled for Aug. 4-7. The Aug. 3 date would be the Saturday preceding opening of the convention. The later date would fall on the occasion of the annual industry banquet. Plans evolved for the original celebration [Broadcasting May 15] are being used as the base for the revised observance. The theme will be recognition of broadcasting as an American institution on equal footing with the press and entitled to the same constitutional right to freedom. A gigantic combined network program, tying in independent stations, is contemplated for the presentation of the "Free Radio" plaques. With both of the Presidential nominating conventions concluded, the plans may include invitation to the Republican and Democratic nominees to participate. Summer Sunkist Drive Placed on 38 Stations CALIFORNIA Fruit Growers Exchange, Los Angeles, consistent user of radio time, through Lord & Thomas, that city, on June 3 starts a spot announcement campaign for both Sunkist and Red Ball oranges, utilizing a total of 38 stations in 34 markets for 10 weeks. An average of two spot announcements daily will be used five times weekly on each station during the campaign. Stations are WWNC WRDW WFBR KBRC WCAX WCSC WBT WCKY WBNS WOOD WASH WBIG KTRH WHAS WMAZ WTMJ WALA WSFA WSM WWL WSMB WTAR WCSH WGAN WRR WJAR WMBG WDBJ WHAM WSYB WOAI WTOC WGBI KWKH WJSV WPTF KFAB KTSM. The thrice-weekly quarter-hour program, Hedda Hopper's Hollywood, sponsored by the Exchange on 28 CBS stations, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, 6:15-6;3Q p.m. (EDST), for Sunkist oranges and lemons, will continue through the summer and fall. The spot campcign is being concentrated in areas where the network progi-am is not heard. NEOPHYTES in the Massachusetts South Shore A League are these baseballers wearing for the first time the red, white and blue uniforms of Yankee Network. The network's No. 1 fan and president, John Shepard 3d, is seen here in the midst of his boys as they lined up at their first home game at Squantum, Mass., in mid-May. The erstwhile Squantum Racketeers last year won the championship of the South Shore B League and this season graduated into the tougher A League under Yankee colors. The club has played 436 games, winning 355, tying 20 and losing only 61 — an .853 average. It was President Shepard who arranged for play-byplay broadcasts of Boston Red Sox and Braves home games in 1922 shortly after establishing WNAC — and handled play by play descriptions. Page 22 • June 1, 1940 BROADCASTING • Broadcast Advertising