The radio annual (1956)

Glowing Future Predicted tor RTES By CLAUDE BARRERE Secretary Radio and Television Executives Society ABOUT a thousand hard-headed men and women in the broadcasting business ranging from Chairmen of Boards of some of America's major enterprises down to junior Time Buyers and Salesmen belong to the Radio and Television Executives Society. Why? We could say it's because of the inborn industry slogan of "Service." We could equally well recall the statement of an old Greek philosopher that "All of our acts are motivated by selfishness." ^ i^ i^ The growing recognition that the RTES, through its various activities, is increasingly serving the industry and the individual therein is the true answer to why so many are, members and are supporting it with time, money and energy. It is recalled that the RTES was formed in 1952 by bringing together the Radio Executives Club of New York, which was founded in 1939, and the American Television Society, junior by a matter of a few months. These two organizations resembled each other in many phases and were quite different in others. The teaming of their various qualities brought about the stronger, sturdier, organization now in its fourth year. The present membership shows a wellbalanced representation amongst the networks, stations, station reps., advertising agencies, film organizations and the many other services allied to broadcasting. ik i^ i^ How, then, is the RTES serving the industry and its members? The showiest aspect is, no doubt, its monthly luncheons, a forum attended by consistently large numbers of members and [fiends. It is pleasant to point to such speakers this current season as Vice-President Richard M. Nixon and George C. McConnaughey, Chairman of the FCC, Bishop Fulton J. Sheen, Sir Ian Jacobs, of the BBC, Louis A. Cowan, Irving R. Levine, and special events with the American Women in Radio and Television, the Peabody Awards luncheon and the huge Christmas party. Yet these "showcases" have perhaps less weight than such things as the Listening Post, the Time Buying and Selling Course and the Workshops. The Listening Post is something of which the RTES and its members are particularly proud. Its intriguing name originated before the RTES was formed when a group of well-known people in the industry, on a very informal basis, endeavored to help their friends and acquaintances who suddenly found themselves in the unaccustomed predicament of being unemployed^ As one of its founders put it: "We lend a sympathetic ear to our friends and keep the other to the ground to hear of openings, hence the name." Frequently, be it said, they didn't wait for openings but energetically sought out possible spots for which their friends were qualified. i^ i^ i^ With the monies collected through the Christmas parties the RTES was in a position to help the Listening Post, all of whose members also belonged to the Society. They gave it a headquarters with the necessary administiative personnel and wider publicity, promotion, etc. It is significant that the Listening Post is not a placement service. It will not accept applications from persons who are in jobs, but insists that they must be, or officially are about tobe, unemployed. Furthermore, it will not accept, as applicants, persons who are trying to get into the broadcasting field, nor those, who through other affiliation, might better be helped to locate jobs. Each week Applicants have the opportunity of sitting around the table with members of the Listening Post. This helps them to orientate themselves as well as to acquaint the Committee with their qualifications. Call it an informal screening and counseling session. The applicants are then given leads to likely openings for which they are qualified. i^ i^ ^ As can well be expected the applicants outnumber job referals. Perhaps as much as ten to one. However, as people in key positions in the industry become acquainted with the Listening Post's services they are more and more inclined to tap this pool of available talent. The files are thick with commendatory letters from employers who found the man or woman they needed through the Listening Post. There is also quite a collection of notes of gratitude from ex-applicants. Strict statistics of the Listening Post activities are not available. While applicants far exceed placements, it is estimated that an average of something better than four jobs a week are filled through employers and prospective employees being brought together through the Lislening Post. 119