Broadcasting Telecasting (Oct-Dec 1961)

MO ME UP ! . . with SALES and PROFITS in the Beaumont, Port Arthur and Orange market ment is progressing with more than 1,400 stations taking part in on-the-air promotion, he said, adding that National Radio Month promotional material was widely used. NAB Tv Series ■ But the most dramatic device is the proposed Meet the Man radio and tv series. The pilot tv film ran 28 minutes, with Gov. Collins introducing the interviewees, Secretary of Commerce Luther Hodges and Sen. Everett Dirksen (R-I1L). He opened with brief comments on the place of broadcasting in the American scene and then moved into questions (Closed Circuit, Oct. 9). The radio version was edited into two 10-minute programs. If reception is favorable at the fall conferences, Mr. Couric said, six programs a year will be produced and distributed to tv stations via network closed circuit and 16 mm films. Radio programs will be made available for $2 per two 10-minute shows. Space is left in both radio and tv versions for local promotion or introductions by station managers. William Carlisle, NAB station services vice president, outlined the service projects conducted by the association for its members. Among new projects are an announcer's training manual, radio-tv career booklets, labor relations manual and accounting bulletins. A survey of editorializing is planned, he said. Texas Hurricane Carla service lauded LEADERS CREDIT RADIO-TV WITH LEADING ROLE Texas broadcasters were credited with saving thousands of lives during Hurricane Carla in September as leading civic and political figures took part in the Texas Assn. of Broadcasters convention held Oct. 10-11 in Dallas. W. W. Overton, chairman of the board of Texas Bank & Trust Co. and vice chairman of the Red Cross national fund campaign, presented a Red Cross plaque to TAB in recognition of this service. Another plaque was presented by Brigadier Gordon of the Salvation Army. Gov. Price Daniel sent TAB a letter stating radio-tv warnings were a vital factor in the evacuation and saved many lives. He also praised on-thescene reporters who risked their lives to cover the disaster. The tributes were received by retiring TAB president, Jim Hairgrove, KBRZ Freeport. Only the Beginning ■ FCC Commissioner Robert T. Bartley, speaker at the Oct. 11 luncheon, termed the Oct. 6 NAB-FCC conference on program logging forms "the beginning of a very happy relationship." He recalled suggesting to the Georgia Assn. of Broadcasters last summer that stations conduct tests of the proposed new log requirements, an idea that led to the Sept. 15 South East Radio-Television Seminar in Atlanta (Broadcasting, Sept. 18). The Pitluk Advertising Agency trophy for outstanding public service was presented to KWED Sequin. David Mylam, of Edward Petry & Co., made the presentation on behalf of Jack Pitluk to Stan McKenzie, operator of the station. Harold G. Cowgill, former FCC broadcast bureau chief, pointed to the commission's "strengthened hand" under 1960 amendments to the Communications Act. He referred to outlawing of deceptive quiz shows, payola rules, clarified language permitting licenses of 68 (THE MEDIA) less than three years, power to levy fines for rules infractions and requirement for approval of mergers and payoffs in the case of conflicting applications. He also mentioned the intensified inspection of station operations. Witch Hunt ■ Mr. Cowgill called the House legislative oversight hearings of several years ago a "witch hunt," a term that brought a quick reply from Rep. Walter Rogers (D-Tex.), a member of that committee. Rep. Rogers said the investigators "had tried to keep crooks from fouling up one of the nation's finest industries" and had "showed the public the dangers inherent in misuse of the airways." Rep. Rogers said broadcasters have most to fear at this time from administrative procedures such as the vesting in staff employes of rights to adjudicate cases. He said the administrative changes are ascribed to the need of expediting commission cases, adding, "Have we reached a point in the United States where we sacrifice rights of those engaged in business in the interest of expediting these matters?" No Hard Liquor ■ TAB's board went on record against the advertising of hard liquor on radio or television, feeling it is not in the public interest. Texas broadcasters were asked "to refrain from accepting such advertising contracts." In addition the TAB board asked "our fellow broadcasters in other states to consider taking similar stands." TAB adopted a resolution calling for cooperation with the Mexican government in promotion of international goodwill through use of 20 and 30second promotional spots. It was submitted by McHenry T. Tichenor, KGBT (TV) Harlingen. Gene Hendryx, KVLF Alpine, was elected TAB president; Jack Roth, KONO San Antonio, vp, and Wendell Mayes Jr., KCRS Midland, secretarytreasurer. BROADCASTING, October 16, 1961