NBC chimes (Jan 1955-Oct 1956)

Hedges Elected Rotary Club Head William S. Hedges, of Scarsdale, New York, Vice President in charge of Integrated Services for the National Broadcasting Company, was unanimously elected President of the Rotary Club of New York at its annual meeting on May 5, at the Hotel Commodore. Born in Elmwood, Illinois, Mr. Hedges joined the editorial staff of the Chicago Daily News in 1915 while still a student at the University of Chicago. He was made radio editor in 1922, following which he organized WMAQ and was president of that station until he joined NBC in 1931. He was made a vice president of NBC in 1937. In 1949, Mr. Hedges was elected President of the Radio Pioneers Club. He To NBC and News Director William McAndrew, for "consistently outstanding radio network news broadcasting" on the program "Heart of the News", from the National Headliners Club. . . . To NBC, to Edward Stanley, Manager of Public Service Programs, and to the "Inheritance" radio series, for "presentations representative of our American heritage", from the American Legion. ... To NBC-TV's George Gobel, the bronze George Spelvin Award of the Masquers at their 10th annual dinner, for the "most outstanding contribution to showbusiness". ... To Donald Voorhees, conductor of "The Telephone Hour", the Lowell Mason Award for Distinguished Contribution to Music Education, by Keyboard Jr. Magazine. ... To Norman Brokenshire, WRCATV veteran broadcaster, for his work in the fight against juvenile delinquency, from the Order of DeMolay. the youth organization sponsored by the Masons. ... To Reuven Frank. NBC News staff writer, the 1954 Sigma Delta Chi Award for "distinguished service in the field of television newswriting", for his script of "The Road to Spandau". ... To Judith Waller. Director of Public Affairs and Education for NBC Chicago, for "outstanding meritorious contributions to is a director of Broadcast Music Incorporated, and he is a founder and past president of the National Association of Radio and Television Broadcasters. the development of educational broadcasting", by the Ohio State University Institute for Education by RadioTelevision. ... To James P. "Uncle Jim" Harkins, former assistant talent coordinator for NBC, the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice medal for outstanding service to the Roman Catholic Church, presented on behalf of Pope Pius XII. ... To NBC and "Hallmark Hall of Fame", for their contribution to the showcasing of Shakespeare's plays, by the Shakespeare Club of New York City. ... To Hamilton Shea, WRCA and WRCA-TV vice president, in recognition of the NBC stations' "Sidewalks of New York" clean-up campaign, by Mayor Robert F. Wagner. ... To Don Herbert, NBC-TV's "Mr. Wizard", for his "important contributions to science education", from the American Chemical Society. ... To NBC-TV's "Justice" series, for its "sympathetic portrayal of the American lawyer and the nation's judiciary in their understanding of human problems", from the American Bar Association. ... To NBC's National Advertising and Promotion Department, top honors for three printed promotion pieces in the Fifth Annual Lithographic Awards Competition; art work was directed by John Graham, and printing was supervised by Edward Antonioli. Berend, Diederichs Retirements Announced On April 30 Frank A. Berend retired, completing over 13 years with NBC. At that time he was Executive Assistant to John K. West, Vice President in charge of the Pacific Division. Chicago-born, Mr. Berend's earlier career before joining NBC included advertising managerial and agency representation work. He joined NBC Pacific Division in March of 1942. Before assuming his position on the vice president's staff in early 1953. he had been Network Sales Manager and later Manager, West Coast Radio Sales. After 19 years with NBC, Alphons Diederichs, KNBC Business Manager, has retired, effective June 1. Born in Minneapolis, Mr. Diederichs worked with several concerns before coming to the San Francisco radio station in 1936. Since that time, he was successively auditor, office manager, controller and business manager. ni nt Jake Keever, Film Division's 5'11" national sales manager, is dwarfed by two of his salesmen at the Film Division's national sales meeting held April 13-15 in New York. Len Ringquist (left). Eastern Sales force, and Dick Baldwin, Central Sales force, are respectively 6'6" and 6'7". Meeting was a giant success. NBC Awards and Honors NBC Chimes 15