NAB reports (Jan-Dec 1939)

It is anticipated that networks will contribute one pro¬ gram a week to the campaign. Transcriptions will be furnished non-network stations weekly. In addition, all stations will be enabled and encouraged to contribute their own programs, calculated to sell their own operations, as well as American radio generally. Through factory cooperation, retailers will distribute N.AB literature, such as “The ABC of Radio,” in the eight million radio sets sold a year; will develop special window displays highlighting American radio program service and providing local stations with window-tie-up and programschedule spotlights. Regularly scheduled newspaper and other advertising will be coordinated with the central themes of the campaign. Copy in the national advertising of manufacturers in all media will likewise be coordinated. In order to clear up misunderstanding on the part of some retailers and broadcasters, the RMA is recommending to its advertising agencies that adequate provision be made in factory-dealer cooperative advertising for the inclusion of local radio. Headquarters estimates the campaign will be ready for announcement about the third week in February. Representing RMA were Bond Geddes, Executive Vice President; Sayre Ramsdell, Vice President, Philco; Frank Mullen, Director of Information, RCA. Neville Miller, President, and Ed Kirby, Director of Public Relations, represented NAB. FREE OFFERS Radio Program Associates, New York City, is offering a new “Doc Sellers True Stories” series, each containing a plug for True Story Magazine. Each broadcaster receiving the offer might write to True Story magazine and suggest that he swap the quarter-hour program for a quarter-page station ad in True Story. If True Story agrees, the NAB will be very, very surprised. The National Cooperative Milk Producers Federation, Washington, D. C., is asking for spot announcements asking listeners to buy more butter. When the NAB informed Charles W. Holman, secretary of the Federation, that use of the announcements would constitute violation of the NAB Code of Ethics, Mr. Holman replied: “Fm not interested in your code of ethics ! ” The American Institute of Baking, New York City, is offering script for women’s programs, advising the ladies that they would hold their husbands’ affections better if they kept slimmer by eating more bread. Breaded pork chops also are recommended. Tom Fizdale, Inc., Chicago, is offering a radio star gossip script, plugging certain prominent performers. The Panama Pacific Line, San Francisco, is offering “news” material for commentators, plugging the S.S. Washington. The American Life and Accident Insurance Company, INDEX Page NAB to Press FCC . 3195 Miller to Attend Western Meetings . 3196 NAB, RMA Adopt Fundamentals . 3196 Free Offers . 3197 Bills Introduced . 3197 .\sks Liquor Ad Ban . 3197 Maloney Bill . 3197 California Bills Would Exempt . 3198 Monopoly Hearing . 3193 ASCAP, Florida and Washington Appeals . 3199 Canadian Society Loses Fee Increase . 3199 WCAU Wins Injunction . 3199 Engineering Conference . 3199 NAB Advertising Book for Salesmen . 3200 “ABC” Moving Fast . 320O Education Questionnaire . 3200 Tax Calendar . 3200 Welles Questionnaire . 3200 Dues Classification Blanks . 3200 McNinch Stays at FCC . 3200 FCC to Go to Capitol . 3201 FCC Turns Down ACA . 320I St. Louis, is offering a cost-per-injury proposition. The number of copies of the company’s letters that has come to NAB indicates that the industry isn’t interested. BILLS INTRODUCED Three bills were introduced this week in the Senate dealing with broadcasting. One bill (S.517), introduced by Senator Johnson (DCol) which would amend the Communications Act of 1934 “to prohibit the advertising of alcoholic beverages by radio”. Senator Sheppard (D-Tex) introduced S.550 which would amend the Radio Act by making it mandatory that a radio station operator be 2 1 years of age with an excep¬ tion that the Federal Communications Commission could allow younger persons to become amateur radio operators. S.S 75 was introduced by Senator Capper (R-Kan) dealing with alcoholic beverages in interstate commerce. A paragraph of the bill prohibits advertising of this com¬ modity on broadcast stations. All three of these bills are identical with bills Introduced by the same members of the Senate at the last session of Congress and all have been referred to the Committee on Interstate Commerce. ASKS LIQUOR AD BAN W. S. Alexander, Administrator of the Federal Alcohol Administration Division of the Treasury, asked Congress in his annual report to ban radio liquor advertising. MALONEY BILL Representative Maloney (D-La), author of a bill to require personal endorsers on radio programs to state that they were paid for the endorsements, gave the NAB the following statement this week about his bill: There seems to be a growing tendency for persons who through achievement or other methods of gaining prominence and notoriety 3197