Broadcasting (Oct - Dec 1949)

DUNKERS NOTE! WOWO Plugs Coverage KEEPING its eye on the doughnut, which corresponds to Fort Wayne's outside trading area, WOWO Fort Wayne has launched a nationwide promotion campaign that may make coffee dunliers of a good many radio people. Start of the drive was placement of a full page ad in the Nov. 14 issue of Broadcasting. On Nov. 15, packages each containing a dozen doughnuts, a packet of instant coffee, reprint of the ad and a personal letter from Paul Mills, station's sales manager, were delivered to over 500 timebuyers. Hollywood studio models made deliveries in that city; in Chicago, Andry Frain ushers were employed; Western Union services carried it through in New York, while in San Francisco, Atlanta and Fort Worth, deliveries were taken over by Free & Peters salesmen. In Fort Wayne, local salesman personally delivered the packages to agencies and important clients and prospects. Station plans to continue the campaign by direct mail and other media. CONGRATULATIOMS are in order for Bernard Mullins (r), public relations director, WTIC Hartford, !Conn., on occasion of 400th broadcost of university program, Yale Interprets the News. Yale President Charles Seymour (c) extends salutations, while Arnold Wolfers, social sciences professor, looks on. Mr. Mullins has served as interviewer throughout history of program inaugurated on Jan. 11, 1942. BBDO timebuyers in New York try WOWO fare (seated I to r): Eleanor Scanlan, Fred Stoutland, Frank Silvernail, and Hope Martinez. Standing is Arthur Barry, Free & Peters' account executive on BBDO. SPECTRUM Special Group To Study Government Use A PLAN to set up a special government interdepartmental commisssion for the purpose of studying use of radio frequancies by various agencies is being launched under the direction of President Truman, it was learned last week. * The commission also would probe the field of international communications engaged in by private firms, it was understood. While no details were disclosed, it is believed the special group would comprise officials of government branches presently operating their own extensive communications systems. Government use of spectrum space has evoked considerable concern among private users, especially the broadcast-TV industry which feels the government should be compelled to justify the use of frequencies which might otherwise be allotted to standard radio and television station. A Congressional committee also has undertaken a probe of frequencies [Broadcasting, Oct. 17, 24]. The government plan, now in the development stage, reportedly J'joa Sale RADIO TOWERS 4 135-ft. Blaw Knox self-supporting towers. 10 200-ft. Skyline Guyed towers (originally micro-wave relay towers, two of them tied together with reflector screen on top, making five relay units; or broken down, will make ten single 200-ft. guyed towers for AM stations, police, cab radio, etc.) Most of this eqvipment has never been erected. SCHUMAKER CONSTRUCTION COMPANY Erectors of Towers, Antennas, and Coaxial Cables East Michigan Street — Michigan City, Ind. would provide for a five-man commission, with personnel to be selected from government agencies directly concerned with radio communications. Key branches include the State Dept., FCC, Dept. of Defense (Army-NavyAir Force), Dept. of Commerce, General Services Administration and others. A Senate Interstate Commerce communications subcommittee announced last month it would launch a probe of the whole spectrum problem sometime next January. In any event, some authorities feel the government action "at least" implements the decision of the subcommittee, headed by Sen. Ernest McFarland (D-Ariz.), to determine whether radio frequencies currently are being used to the best advantage. Disclosure of the government's plan to set up its own group is believed to be a followup to Congressional probe action, since the McFarland group has manifested • keen interest in the use of frequencies by each agency. The five-man commission would seek out that information, according to reports. The subcommittee proba also encompasses an inquiry into the extent of government operation of communications systems in competition with privately-operated wire and telegraph companies. Spokesmen said Sen. McFarland had not been officially apprised of the government's plan to set up a special group. Personnel will be selected after the interested agencies and branches have first submitted suggestions and comments to the Bureau of the Budget, it is understood. AIMS AT TOURISTS WYVE-Chamber Plugs Town EVER since radio went commercial, and that's close to 30 years ago, stations have depended upon listeners in various regions they serve as their ultimate source of revenue. That remains true today. But a variation in this familiar pattern is a step taken by WYVE Wytheville, Va. This "different" approach is an idea originated by WYVE's Commercial Manager Erie Howery and Announcer Nick Carter and sponsored by the Wythe County Chamber of Commerce. It's a new type program called Your Radio Tourist Guide, which is directed, not to the station's regular listeners, but to tourists. With an eye to increasing Wytheville's share of the tourist trade, the program is sponsored year-round, 15 minutes daily across-the-board. The theory behind the show is to reach tourists when they are within 90 to 100 miles of Wytheville, at a time during late afternoon when most travelers begin to think about stopping for the night and when they are still within one or two hours driving time of Wytheville. Featuring Wytheville's attractions for the tourist, the program's format includes soft music and tips on the "best" places to eat and sleep, and the best travel routes in Tennessee, North Carolina, West Virginia and Virginia, as recommended by the Chamber of Com "AMERICA'S FINEST WESTERN ACT"! The Texas Rangers, stars of stage, screen, radio and television, early this summer made a personal appearance tour in the Midwest. They are pictured here in Oklahoma City, when they were commissioned honorary Colonels of the State of Oklahoma by Governor Roy J. Turner. The Texas Rangers transcriptions, used on scores of stations from coast to coast, have achieved Hooperatings as high as 27.4. Advertisers and stations — ask about our new sales plan! Wire, write or phone ARTHUR B. CHURCH Produoions KANSAS CITY 6, MISSOURI 5ROADCASTING • Telecasting November 28, 1949 • Page 71