NAB reports (Jan-Dec 1940)

Promotion NINE GOVERNORS PROCLAIM FESTIVAL Nine Governors of states have issued National Radio Festival proclamations. Art Stringer will appreciate hearing from members if any names are omitted from the list below: California — Gov. Culbert L. Olson. Colorado — Gov. Ralph L. Carr. Kansas — Gov. Payne Ratner. Louisiana — Gov. Samuel Houston Jones. New Jersey — Gov. A. Harry Moore. New Mexico — Gov. John E. Miles. Oklahoma — Gov. Leon C. Phillips. Virginia — Gov. James H. Price. West Virginia — Gov. Homer A. Holt. WROK SIGNS POWER COMPANY MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY WROK, Rockford, got tired of going without power company business, and decided to do something about it. They thought there was some sense to the state¬ ment: “Your power company can be your best local account.” Result: Central Illinois Electric and Gas Company has been on WROK, Monday through Saturday, 9:15 to 9:30 a. m. since April IS and “the sponsor is very happy.” The program is the “Town Crier” show. According to copy on the 30,000 inserts in customers bills, the towns¬ people are invited to use the program for making an¬ nouncements concerning their “religious, fraternal, civic and social organizations.” When William R. Traum, sales promotion manager, took time out to give us the good news he included some spring tonic for us: “We used quotations from your March 1 bulletin in our presentation to the C.I.E.G. company and feel they helped sell the idea.” WFBM, WENR AND WMAQ USE RADIO PLUGS WFBM, Indianapolis, WENR and WMAQ, Chicago, are each paying attention to circulation. Jack Ryan, of the Chicago stations, has sent us some recent announcements which were included in “Radio Fanfare” and Radio Parade. They are always placed in the lead. “Thanks for the announcements for portable radios, radios as wedding gifts and auto radio service,” wrote Lester W. Lindow, acting manager of WFBM. “We shall be glad to use these announcements . . . please be assured of our continued cooperation.” WBAB HAS FESTIVAL SHOW FOR NATION’S UTILITY EXECUTIVES Good news for stations without utility business! Members of the Edison Electric Institute, the trade organization of the power companies, held its annual convention in Atlantic City during Radio Festival week. The convention attendants and townspeople were in¬ vited to a 30-minute broadcast, “Radio,” in the huge Atlantic City auditorium on the boardwalk, over WBAB, Friday evening, June 7, 9:30 to 10:00. The host and sponsor of the show was the Atlantic City Electric Com¬ pany which has been serving south Jersey for forty years. The program was prepared by Norman Reed, station director. The 30-minute program with a cast of twelve showed the power company officials how radio “ticks”. It also explained the workings of the American system of broad¬ casting. All in all, the whole affair was just about one of the finest pieces of power company-radio promotion that any individual station could desire. Our private grapevine also brings the news that power company officials in great numbers are giving studied attention to broadcasting as a medium to promote their business. So far this year member stations have gotten substan¬ tial increases in power company business. Non-users of radio facilities have become users; old users have in¬ creased their time on the air. RADIO FESTIVAL This is the week that scores of Radio Festival cele¬ brations are being held throughout the United States. Observance of the event began in May, will continue through June and even into late August. News of the August event came on June 3 from Bill Dean, publicity and promotion director, WDAY, Fargo, N. D. Bill has already included everything but the kitchen sink in his plans and that is to be incorporated a little later on. Here’s his wire: “Count on WDAY cooperation National Radio Festival with radio week all set for latter part August. Plans yet incomplete though will definitely include: special programs from fair ground studios during Red River Valley Fair biggest event in locality; “Show windows downtown Fargo ; educational radio booth at fair grounds; open house at downtown studios, transmitter and fair ground studios; quiz contest with studio and transmitter visits aired ; man-on-street devoted to event ; special all-talent revue built around American radio ; transcriptions made of passers-by and interviews at fair; explanation given during process; do you know your radio program built for purpose of education; advance promotional announcements and newspaper publicity; “Promises to be greatest promotion event in history of WDAY. More details later.” West Virginia Gov. Homer A. Holt has proclaimed National Radio Festival in West Virginia, June 10-16. So says Nick Pagliara, WCHS, Charleston. Seattle— KIRO, KJR, KOMO, KRSC, KXA Tacoma (and Seattle) — KIRO These NAB members in the northwest empire took National June 7, 1940 4312