NAB reports (Jan-Dec 1944)

I 9 WTIC'S UNIQUE WARTIME PROGRAM News of unique wartime promotional programs whose calibre and format are such as to do a constructive job, week after week, is solicited for publication in NAB Reports. One such is “Connecticut on the Alert’’, WTIC, Hart¬ ford, a series which has continued for three years. “Connecticut on the Alert” goes on the air every Wednes¬ day, 7:45-8:00 p. m. Information on the broadcast has had’ no prior release; and the Thursday newspapers throughout the state give extended coverage to the pro¬ gram. Practically every person of importance contributing directly to the state’s war effort has appeared on the pro¬ gram at one time or another. Harold F. Woodcock, state war administrator, presides. Governor Raymond E. Baldwin regards the productive¬ ness of “Connecticut on the Alert” so highly that he has appeared six times since August 24. As an example of immediate listener response, 40 pros¬ pective homes for foster children were located as the result of the February 16 broadcast. The following brief program descriptions illustrate the wide scope of the subjects handled: Commonsense Nutrition — Thomas W. Russell, deputy administrator, Conn. War Council. Connecticut’s Role in War— War Administrator Harold F. Woodcock, Gov. Raymond E. Baldwin. Industrial Training — War Administrator Harold 1. Woodcock; Prof. Lauren E. Seeley, Yale, regional advisor, ESMWT ; W. S. Clark, works manager, General Electric Child Care Centers in Connecticut — War Administrator Harold F. Woodcock; Miss Clara Allen, Consultant on school-age problems, State Dept, of Education; Miss Anna McManus, supervisor, Child Care Centers, New Haven; Mrs. Lydia Mills, 143 Franklin Ave., Hartford; Lester A. Lanning, assistant plant manager, New Departure, Bristol. Food Supply — War Administrator Harold F. Woodcock; Arthur Gosselin, member of War Council and chairman of sub-committee on Wholesale and Retail Food Distribu¬ tion; Food Administrator Henry B. Mosle. KMBC ADOPTS NEW STATION ADVERTISING THEME Use of an institutional copy theme based on the war¬ time merits of the American system of broadcasting char¬ acterizes the KMBC advertising campaign now running in radio and advertising trade magazines, the Kansas City Chamber of Commerce magazine and via direct mail to advertising agencies and regional advertisers. In a letter accompanying the first direct mail release Sam H. Bennett, KMBC Director of Sales says: “While naturally KMBC is ‘open for business’ it is felt that the accomplishments of radio as an industry have been so noteworthy, particularly in service to this nation at war, that it would be fitting that KMBC advertising be dedi¬ cated in behalf of American Broadcasting’s service to the home and the community.” First advertisement carries the picture of Robert L. Mehornay, President of the Kansas City Chamber of Com¬ merce and of the Mehornay Furniture Company. In a statement accompanying his picture Mehornay says: “Radio’s contribution to the home front cannot be empha¬ sized too greatly. I particularly recognize radio for its realistic approach to community problems brought on by war times. Yes, indeed, radio has earned its inherent right to play an important role in the moulding of a better post-war world.” Station copy looks to tomorrow, reciting plans for broadened responsibilities. RADIO LARGEST SOURCE OF WAR NEWS, SURVEY SHOWS (From "EVERY WEEK," WSAR weekly news magazine) Interesting facts about the effects of wartime conditions on the habits of housewives were recently revealed in the publication of results of the second annual survey con¬ ducted by the Committee on Consumer Problems of Central New York. The survey was directed by Professor Hepner of Syracuse University, with trained interviewers arrang¬ ing with officers of women’s clubs to direct filling-in of questionnaires by representative housewives. Over 2300 families were studied in the report, a cross-sectional sur¬ vey of one family out of every 50 in Syracuse, and one family out of 25 in the area surrounding the city. One of the purposes of the survey was to ascertain from what source housewives obtained their news about the war. In the city, 644, or 69 per cent, answered “radio.” In the outlying districts the proportion was somewhat higher, with 856, or 73.5 per cent, claiming their loudspeakers as the favorite medium for keeping themselves posted on activities on the world’s battle fronts. Sponsors of the survey were also interested in finding out whether or not women are spending more time in their homes during wartime, with the following results revealed : In Syracuse, 41 per cent stated they were in their homes more since the war, 9.5 per cent answered less, and 46.1 per cent claimed they are spending the same amount as before the war. Outside the city, 46.1 per cent claimed more time at home, while 61.1 per cent spend less and 45.1 spend apparently the same amount of time. The question was interesting and the results important from the view¬ point of radio, as women at home are potential listeners. The answers given, coupled with the fact that the majority of housewives depend on their radios for war news, would indicate that the home-makers in this typically American area find their radios of ever increasing importance in wartime. While the survey was not concerned with the wartime value of radio as a medium of entertainment, it may be assumed that with nearly half the number of women inter¬ viewed stating they are spending more time at home now, they are relying on broadcasting more than ever before for diversion as well as information. NATIONAL MUSIC WEEK CELEBRATION MAY 7-14 The following letter was received by Willard D. Egolf, NAB Assistant to the President, from C. M. Tremaine, Secretary of the National and Inter-American Music Week Committee, 315 Fourth Avenue, New York City: “You may remember that one of the ways we suggested last year by which the radio stations could tie in with National Music Week was to broadcast the Star-Spangled Banner at twelve o’clock noon each day of the observance. “Many of the stations carried out this suggestion last year, and it was most effective. We hope more will do so this year — the 21st annual observance. The dates are May 7-14, as Music Week always begins the first Sunday in May. “Our Committee would be glad to hear from stations planning participation in this way; also to know of other special programs to be arranged for the occasion.” A battery of transmitters known as the American Broad¬ casting Station in Europe was slated to go on the air for the first time April 30 broadcasting direct from Great Britain to the countries across the English Channel and the North Sea, OWI announced this week. At present all Voice of America broadcasts from Britain are programs originating in OWI studios in New York and relayed to Europe by the British Broadcasting Corporation. April 30 broadcasts it is understood will include trans¬ mission in the languages of France, Holland, Belgium, April 28, 1944 — 141