NAB reports (Mar-Dec 1933)

The National Association of Broadcasters NATIONAL PRESS BUILDING * * * * * WASHINGTON, D. C. PHILIP G. LOUCKS, Managing Director NAB REPORTS * * * * * ^1,^93! Copyright, 1933, The National Association of Broadcasters NAB TO MEET AT WHITE SULPHUR, W. VA. The NAB Board of Directors has selected White Sulphur Springs, W. Va., as the place for the 1933 membership meeting of the Asso¬ ciation. The dates selected are October 8, 9, 10 and 11. White Sulphur Springs was chosen over a number of other cities which had extended invitations to the Association during the past few months. President McCosker will shortly appoint a committee on arrange¬ ments which will begin the development of a program. Easily accessible from all important cities, White Sulphur Springs, W. Va.. will prove a popular meeting place. A world-famous allyear resort, the Greenbrier and Cottages, located on a 7,000-acre tract in the mountains of West Virginia, embraces every possible convenience for the entertainment and comfort of guests. Details of arrangements for the meeting will be sent to members from time to time ; but you are urged at this time to make arrange¬ ments to be in White Sulphur Springs, W. Va., on October 8, 9, 10 and 11. McCOSKER ELECTED TO AFA BOARD Broadcasting was awarded a place on the Board of Directors of the Advertising Federation of America when the Association on Wednesday, June 28, elected Alfred J. McCosker, WOR, Newark, N. J., president of the NAB, as a Director at Grand Rapids, Mich. President McCosker’s election to the AFA Board is a recognition of the prominence of broadcasting. It is the first time that broad¬ casting has been awarded a place in the governing body of the AFA. The Board includes leaders from all important branches of the advertising profession. The NAB became affiliated with the AFA two years ago and has been active in departmental activities of the Association. AFA COUNCIL URGES COOPERATION The Council on Departmental Activities of the AFA at a meeting held at Grand Rapids, Mich., on June 27, adopted a resolution offered by Philip G. Loucks, Managing Director of the NAB, urging the discouragement of destructive competition and the encourage¬ ment of better cooperation between the tools and channels of adver¬ tising to the end that the adveriser will realize the maximum benefit from money expended for advertising; and cooperation among advertisers, agencies and media in protecting advertising from un¬ warranted burdens and unfair attacks. Newspapers, billboards, magazines, and advertising agencies are represented in the Council, in addition to radio. NAB SECTION CONDEMNS RATE CHISELING A resolution condemning rate chiseling as against the public interest, convenience and necessity was unanimously adopted at the second annual meeting of the NAB Commercial Section held on June 27 at Grand Rapids, Mich., in connection with the annual convention of the Advertising Federation of America. The resolution was prefaced with a statement that “the practice of accepting business on a per inquiry and commission basis has been widespread among stations” and that such practice is against the best interests of broadcasting and unfair to the legitimate adver¬ tisers paying card rates. When first presented to the meeting there were demands that “teeth” be put into the motion and that every effort be made to see that it is enforced. Under the terms of the motion, as finally adopted, the Federal Radio Commission might readilv consider the practice of rate chiseling as against the public interest in passing upon renewal applications. Another motion, unanimously adopted, provided for the creation of a committee of three to study standardization of units of sale and associated practices and report to the annual membership meeting in October with specific recommendations. Under the terms of another resolution adopted at the meeting, a committee of three is to be appointed “to study station relations with advertising agencies and special representatives” and report with definite recommendations at the fall meeting. Following a lengthy discussion on the subject of merchandising, a resolution was adopted calling for the appointment of a com¬ mittee to investigate scope of merchandising services which might properly be rendered by stations. The whole question of research and surveys was discussed and action was taken expressing the opinion of the Section that “a survey of potential coverage is basic and preliminary to any further surveys or measurements,” and providing that steps be taken to set up a radio audit bureau to standardize practices of measure¬ ment. This action conforms in part to the action recently taken by the American Association of Advertising Agencies approving coverage surveys as a fundamental guide to service of stations. Near the close of the meeting a motion was adopted providing for committees to arrange for separate meetings at the time of the October convention between stations affiliated with the major net¬ works and the officials of such networks for the purpose of dis¬ cussing business relationship between stations and networks. It was understood, however, that these discussions were in no way connected with the activities of the NAB. Recommendations that the NAB commence at once the collection of business facts and trade statistics were approved at the meeting. The meeting also approved the creation of a clearing house for program scripts and program ideas in accordance with recommenda¬ tions of the Program Committee of the NAB. The meeting was one of the most enthusiastic ever held and the papers presented and discussions thereon constitute a sound guide to commercial operations of stations. Near the close of the meeting the Managing Director explained briefly the operation of the new Securities Act as it relates to broad¬ casting and called attention to the Copeland-Sirovich bills which provide for revision of the food and drugs laws. The Managing Director also explained that the NAB was studying carefully the provisions of the Industrial Recovery Act and its possible effect upon broadcasting. He pointed out that broadcasting stations are at present licensed by a responsible governmental body and that this aspect of the situation was now receiving consideration. Inasmuch as important excerpts of addresses and discussions will be published in future issues of NAB Reports, details will not be included in this week's issue. H. K. Carpenter, WPTF, Raleigh, N. C., chairman of the Com¬ mercial Section, presided at the sessions. The problems of station promotion were discussed by John Patt, WGAR, Cleveland, Ohio, and Harry Howlett, WHK, Cleveland, Ohio, followed with a discussion of merchandising. The creation of a program exchange service and the scope of its activities was discussed by John Henry, KOIL, Council Bluffs, Iowa, and the question of station surveys was presented for dis¬ cussion by Martin Campbell, WFAA, Dallas, Texas. Standardization of units of sale and rates was the topic pre¬ sented by Arthur Church, KMBC, Kansas City, Missouri. Development of the standard order blank for spot broadcasting in cooperation with the AAAA was outlined by Roy Harlow, WNAC, Boston, Massachusetts. The question of station representation and rate maintenance was presented in a paper read by Leslie Fox, WSM, Nashville, Tenn., in which he outlined sales problems common both to small and large stations. A comprehensive system for the collection and dissemination of business facts and trade statistics was outlined by Herman S. Hettinger, member of the faculty of Wharton School of Finance and Commerce, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pa. • Page 77 •