Radio showmanship (Jan-Dec 1942)

manager Homer Welch. Representing the stations' commercial department were Arch Kerr and James Mount. Broadcast Schedule: July 9 and 10, 1942. Sponsor: Broadway Columbia Food Market. Station: KGW-KEX, Portland, Ore. Population: 305,349. COMMENT: Especially in large urban centers it takes a lot of fanfare to put oomph into an event of this kind. Giveaways, a chance for the public to see all of its favorite local radio entertainers in action, other hoop-de-do turned the trick here. Manufacturers ARMY-NAVY "E" AWARD In 1859, Carl Diebold, two partners, formed a company to manufacture small safes. Engineering advances brought forth burglary resistive as well as fire resistive containers. Constant effort to outwit the safe cracker meant ceaseless research into ways and means of making harder steel proof against drills, torches, nitroglycerine, other forms of attack. Natural in these times was the manufacturing transition to steel that would deflect bullets. Years of experience in outwitting the safe cracker proved helpful in treatment of steels that protect armed forces on land and in the air. Out of the Diebold Safe and Lock Co., Canton, O., now comes armor plate for bombers and pursuit ships, scout cars, half tracs and marine tanks in a never ending line. It was a great day when workers from the two outlying Diebold plants came to the main plant by Army Scout cars which they themselves had fabricated. The occasion: the presentation of the Army-Navy "E" Award for outstanding performance in the production of war material. Jubilant because Diebold was the first plant in the Canton area to receive this honor were employees, families and friends who participated in the ceremony broadcast on a Mutual Network coast-to-coast hook-up out of WHBC. While the network broadcast became an occasion for national congratulations, not ignored was the local aspect. Fivemi niuc War Facts broadcasts at various times of the day during four days prior to the presentation ceremonies reminded WHBC listeners of the ceremony to be held the following Monday. Series featured direct explanations of the meaning of production in this war. Questions asked and answered: why every man should work every day without lay-off; why people should collect scrap and salvage; why citizens should order coal now, etc., etc. Particularly significant was Dikboi.d's efforts to give each individual worker due credit for his part in high production maintenance level. Invitations were mailed to all employees and families. Day prior to presentation, each employee received through the mail a copy of the 12-page formal program. To all former Diebold employees now in the Armed Forces went a copy of the program, a personal letter from the company president. Acceptance of the "E" lapel pins for all employees was made by Emil Gebel, whose record of 62 continuous years with the company made him the oldest employee in point of service. air FAX: Broadcast Schedule: Monday, August 31, 2:30-3:00 P.M. Sponsor: Diebold Safe QC Lock Co. Station: WHBC, Canton, O. Power: 250 watts. Population: 105,520. COMMENT: Particularly significant in such broadcasts is the opportunity to further public relations. \Vhile such ceremonies help create a widespread fighting war spirit when heard nationally, the opportunity to build locally should not be ignored. AVhile the presentation airing was a pat-on-the-back for all workers, the pre-broadcast local series stimulated workeis to greater effort. (For pic, see Showmanscoops, p. ^S7.) NOVEMBER, 1 942 389