Broadcasting (Jan - Mar 1949)

U. OF OKLA. Eddy, Mitchell, Sill Speakers WILLIAM C. EDDY, general manager of WHEN (TV) Syracuse, was scheduled to be one of the featured speakers at the U. of Oklahoma's annual Radio Conference. The three-day meet, held at Oklahoma City and Norman, closed last Saturday (March 5). Capt. Eddy, commanding officer of the Navy's radio and radar school in Chicago and author of Television : The Eyes of Tomorrow, was to have been principal speaker at a dinner session Friday at the Biltmore Hotel. His subject was: "General TV Operations." This year's conference theme, "Survival in a Changing World," was subdivided into current problems of operation and the transition of television. Other radio leaders scheduled to speak included Jerome Sill, general manager, WMLO Milwaukee, Wis.; Frank Marx, ABC vice president in charge of engineering; Beulah Zachary, WBKB Chicago TV producer-director, and Maurice Mitchell, NAB director of broadcast advertising. Mr. Mitchell's topic was "Economic Aspects of Radio Advertising." Other speakers were previously announced [Broadcasting, Feb. 28]. Mr. Marx discussed "Factors in Planning for Television" in final Saturday sessions. Sessions were devoted chiefly to station problems and covered station-agency relations, future of low-power campus stations, news, in addition to station and television operations. Highlight of Saturday's agenda was a luncheon sponsored by the Assn. for Education by Radio at the Biltmore in Oklahoma City. PROGRAM SERVICE Plan Distribution System DUAL plan has been announced by the Broadcasters Guild covering a monthly information service to members plus machinery to distribute local and regional programs of members on national basis. Explaining the move, James Parks, BG Hollywood vice president, said, "Surveying the field for properties particularly suitable to the Guild distribution system, we have found that many locally produced programs have good transcription possibilities." The news service inaugurated March 1 as "Radio News Digest," will highlight radio and television developments plus inform member stations of new projects and activities of the Guild. 'Break' the Bank? WHEN KTUL Tulsa's Eddie Coontz ribs sponsors on his Morning Watch platter show, none is likely to be immune — not even a bank. The National Bank of Commerce, one of the city's oldest and most conservative banking institutions, is receiving gentle needling thrice weekly. A 52-week series, the promotion is designed to "humanize" the banking business and popularize its services. J. D. McBirney, National's president, and his associate, Carl Wedeman, are sold on Eddie's style of moving merchandise — they're both Coontz fans. On All Accounts (Continued from page 16) RKO lot, he was singled out by A. H. Woods, Broadway producer, for a role in "Arrest That Woman." After getting to New York Earl felt the role was not for him. It was finally decided to spot him in the Chicago company of "The Night of January 16." Next came word that a part could be had in the Broadway production of "Behind the Red Lights" based on the career of Lucky Luciano. He hustled to New York and was with it for seven months. The summer of '37 found Earl in Detroit growing very interested in radio. When a job loomed on the staff of WWJ, he was all for it. In late '38, he had a nibble from NBC Chicago and next shifted to the production staff there. By August '41 he had become a production director but Earl had his eye on a California return. At this time the Red-Blue separation was looming and he gambled that a job might develop as a result. He joined NBC in February '42. Among the shows he worked on were Kraft Music Hall and Chase & Sanborn's Charlie McCarthy show. In '43 Danny Danker approached Earl to join J. Walter Thompson Co. He did, and produced the RCA What's New series in mid '43. Next followed assignments on Frank Sinatra's first commercial program, for Vim's Vitamins, and Charlie McCarthy. He has also produced seven of the Elgin Thanksgiving and Christmas two-hour programs. Several trips east with touring radio shows brought him to New York where the TV bug got him. Last summer he spent much time looking, listening and learning. When the Charlie McCarthy show ceased, he went east again for more look-see at TV. And in January of this year he was named to his present estate. Mr. became "Mr. and Mrs." when Earl married June Pauly, May 21, 1947. The family hearth is in Beverly Hills, Calif. Hobby hours are largely devoted to theatre, golf and fishing. STAMFORD,' CONN. "The Gateway to New England' ABC Affillot« RcprcMntative J P McKINNEY & SON TUBt DgPARTMgUT RADIO CORPORATION of AMERiCA MMRRISOM. M. J. BROADCASTING • Telecasting March 7, 1949 • Page 73