Broadcasting (Jan - June 1945)

700 consecutive 15-minute shows on WWDC Feature of the Week Up until two years ago, Kent Jewelers had never used radio. We took them an idea. It was labeled "Romantic Rendezvous," a simple little 15minute, nightly program with an inquiry hook. Two years have gone by. And the Kent show is still on the WWDC air. Here's another proof that as WWDC produces sales for retailers in Washington, D.C. ... it can produce for you. WWDC the big sales result station in Washington, D. C. Represented nationally by WEED & COMPANY Page 10 • June 25, 1945 Bv BILL HILLMAN (MBS Washington Commentator, Selected to Represent All Networks on Pool basis covering Truman trip.) AMERICAN radio owes a debt to Charlie Ross, President Truman's Press Secretary. The first few days of the President's first trip froni Washington have revealed not only the White House's recognition of the indispensable role of radio in the modern news setup but has convinced me that greater and even more important facilities will eventually be made available to radio for the essential news coverage of the President. Working for the present under recognizable limitations Charlie Ross will, I am sure, move to widen the participation of the radio networks in all news arrangements concerning the President's activities or movements. As representative of the networks on this historic trip to the Pacific Coast I found all facilities, and all conferences, on or off the record, open to me on equal terms with the press representatives. Not only was there no distinction made between radio and the press in contacts with the President or with Charlie Ross but no arrangements were made for news coverage which weren't discussed or worked out — when consultation was necessary with the news men — with full and simultaneous participation of radio as well as press. The White House goes to extraordinary lengths to cooperate with newsmen to keep the public informed about the President. When he travels, no detail of transportation or hotel accommodations is too small for the secret service to handle to help reporters in the President's party. I'm surprised that the press — so prolific in reporting its activities and achievements — has written little about the rereporters assigned to travel with the President. Certainly, to this veteran correspondent, this trip with President Truman as representative of American radio, is an unforgettable event. Sellers of Sales LITTLE if any grass was growing under feet of Henry (Hank) Allen between the time he "walked out" of the U. of Minnesota and when he joined BBDO Los Angeles to become agency radio director and time buyer. Born in Minneapolis on Jan. 2, 1918, Hank was educated in that city's schools. He became impatient with his university journalism major, however, and cast a speculative eye on the theater. Trading California climate for Minnesota, he put in an intensive three years at Pasadena (Cal.) Playhouse. Graduation in spring of 1940 found him experienced in setbuilding, stage managing, costuming, acting and directing. Returning to Minnesota, he worked as announcer on WMIN St. Paul, KYSM Mankota, and WLOL Minneapolis for the next two and a half years. At the outbreak of war, Hank offered h a civilian ground school instructor — he had been a barnstorming pilot at 17 — and was assigned to the Army Air Corps at Denton, Texas. Hank also sidelined as newscaster at KDNT Denton. In spring of 1943— one year later— he again hied back to the home stamping grounds joining KSTP St. Paul for assorted chores which included HANK services as announcing and production as well as handling his own telephone quiz program. This he supplemented with Civil Air Patrol activities, becoming wing staff captain. It was on June 30, 1944 that he joined BBDO Los Angeles as copy writer and late in that same year was appointed radio director and time buyer. In that post Hank currently buys time for such accounts as Lyon Van & Storage Co., West Coast moving and storage firm ; Western Auto Supply Co., and Golden State Co. in the local and Southern California area. He also supervises Dubonnet Wine radio account in San Francisco and Los Angeles. Most recently he was appointed agency executive on the Blue Pacific Network and KECA Los Angeles accounts. His extra-curricular activities, past and present read like an Orson Welles They include trainflying as a barnstorming pilot, power boating and golf. At present a bachelor living in a Hollywood apartment, Hank is to be married to a girl from Georgia on Oct. 29, 1945. She is Lieut, (j.g.) Leila G. Leverette, officer in charge of Coast Guard women for the 9th Naval District. production, ing horses coveroc^e o,e„_Deloware, so*''" New Jersey, pa">f. and Virginia. 50005S _lhis station carries with effective local programming. H B C STATION Represented by RAYME BROADCASTING • Broadcast Adverthi