NAB reports (Jan-Dec 1946)

Research Committee, Holding First Meeting, Discusses General Projects, BMB Data Use NAB’s new Research Committee held its initial meet¬ ing in Washington on Monday (9). General research projects, including the use of BMB data, were discussed. Carl Burkland, WTOP, Washington, chairman of the committee, presided at the session. Committee mem¬ bers who attended were: H. M. Beville, NBC, New York: Addison Campbell, WJZ, New York; Dietrich Dirks, KTRI, Sioux City; E. P. H. James, MBS, New York; Harold Ryan, WSPD, Toledo, Ohio; and Elmo Wilson, CBS, New York. National Spot Business Declines Slightly, According to December Rorabaugh Report National spot business showed a slight decline in volume during the past month despite strong, seasonal activity by cold remedies, liniments and other drug products, according to the December issue of the Rorabaugh Report on Spot Radio Advertising. Very few new campaigns were started and there was little additional time buying. Among those ac¬ counts which expanded during November were: Swift’s Ice Cream from 1 to 44 stations, Pet Evaporated Milk from 0 to 26, Phillips Soups from 23 to 33, Luden’s Cough Drops from 30 to 52, and Pertussin from 80 to 89. Gas and Oil Companies continued to hold strong. Tydol-Veedol added 43 stations bringing its total schedule to 55. The over-all decline, however, is attributed to a gen¬ eral curtailment on the part of many products in all classifications. Examples: Prest-O-Lite Batteries from 83 to 3, Birds Eye Orange Juice from 17 to 5, Canada Dry Ginger Ale from 44 to 2, Grape-Nuts from 83 to 72, Guittard Chocolate from 13 to 0, Vano House¬ hold Cleanser from 16 to 6, Hanna Coal (a strike casualty) from 6 to 0, Associated Bulb Growers of Holland from 22 to 0. Employee -Employer Relations Industrial Relations Bulletin Mailed The Employee-Employer Department’s Bulletin No. 3, entitled “Labor Relations in Small Stations,” was sent to all NAB members during the past week. This bulletin is one of a series of special industrial relations publications being prepared by the staff of the EERD for broadcasters. Bulletin No. 2, “Working with Unions,” was sent out a month ago, and Bulletin No. 1, “When You First Face Unionization,” will be mailed before the end of December. Broadcast Advertising Bankers Association Suggests How Banks May Use Radio Effectively The Advertising Department of the American Bankers Association has followed through on its radio service plan for member banks, first announced by John B. Mack, Jr., Manager of the Department, in his article, “Banks Learning How to Use Broadcasting,” which appeared in the July 8 issue of Broadcasting . How banks can make better use of radio advertising through the ABA’s “package” of recommended radio programs is now reported in the November issue of Sales Management, which states : “Through a “package” of radio programs designed by the Advertising Department of the American Bankers Association and recorded by the National Broadcasting Co., banks all over the country are to be aided in making better use of radio advertising. “The “package” consists of 30 recorded 4% -minute dramatizations designed to furnish the public with information about bank credit. Each program deals with a loan problem and shows how the intelligent use of a loan from the bank provides the answer. “Thirty programs are supplied to allow the banks a range of choice. The 4 V2 -minute time for each re¬ cording is to allow the sponsor flexibility in making its individual announcements. It is suggested that the recording may be used as the core of a 15-minute program with library music supplied by the local sta¬ tion, or as a 5-minute broadcast with the bank’s an¬ nouncement at either end. “Free sample recordings of four dramatizations have been offered to radio stations in order that they may show the banks just how a program will go on the air, with music, announcements, dramatizations, all w'oven into a 15-minute program. The first bank, or group of banks, in each community ordering the series will be given exclusive local rights to the material. “This first series, which is to be followed by others, according to the Advertising Department of the Amer¬ ican Bankers Association, dramatizes the following subjects: mortgage loans, Veteran loans, small busi¬ ness loans, farm loans, automobile loans, home repair loans, personal loans, home equipment loans, general loan services, life insurance loans, and collateral loans.” Rules for NRDGA Radio Contest for Retailers The National Retail Dry Goods Association will conduct a contest to find the best programs of 1946 sponsored by retailers. This is the first contest of its kind ever held by NRDGA, and cooperation of NAB member stations in obtaining entries from their retail sponsors is requested. The winners will be announced at the NRDGA convention in New York January 13-17. RULES OF THE CONTEST: 1. Any retail radio program may be submitted that has been used by a NRDGA member between January 1, 1946, and Christmas, 1946. (Continued on next page) DECEMBER 16, 1946-989