Radio showmanship (Jan-Dec 1944)

speaking there are two classifications. (1) The written competition may inchicle letters, limericks, slogans, acrostics, etc. These are for the sponsor who wants to conduct something "through the mail," and they are best for the national advertiser. ^ It She's (ui inspiration for Hobby Lobb v . Her I lobbies always turn into her b n s i n ess. ^^%^^|^ When a broken iJ^^ ivrist upset her plans to St udy i'iolin, Helen King turned to J I e r h o b by, <!^rapJiology. If Ixuduie a vocation . Trying to win some of the contest grand prizes she heard and read about became an avocation. While minding her own business as a graphologist, she was asked by Mrs. Anne Hummert to run a handxvriting contest. She took it on, and other contests followed. Her name went across the (ontinent as a contest judge for letters, slogans, ef al. And (hereby she became the director of the King Contest Bureau, handled contests for national advertisers for sex>en years. Then came the World's Fan, 1940, for whidi she was contest editor. As a hobby, she dabbled in jjroniotion, and along (ame an offer for radio shilioii promotion work. One and a half years of public speakifig, fnograjnming for women, forming contest groujjs and runjiing a radio contest program followed. Hobby? Writini^. When the radio station loas sold, her Ifo.s.s look her to the Buffalo ( X . ) .) Xews as radio edilo). To heej) busy in he) spare lime, she took on e\ ploilal ions, in( hiding the Buffalo Bisons, fwen though she had never seen a i^ame. . I long laine worl; as \\() R ex ploilal ion drpinliiien I . I lid I li(') c she is. (2) The physical competition is usually local in that it includes art contests, cooking contests, sewing, etc. Obviously it would be too difficult to arrange for these contest entries to be mailed. This type of competition ties-in wonderfidly well with department stores, schools and civic events. Try to keep )()ur contest as ciurent as }3ossible. Select one for yoiu' particidar needs. Arrange your budget accordingly. # Contest costs: Operating costs of the contest may be determined per luiit. Each act recjuested from picking up the mail right through to the actual judging is a unit. 7 hus. an advertiser may spend as much or as little on contest maintenance as he wants. Some of the most requested luiits include: Pickup of mail. The contest operator nuist send mail clerks to pick up mail, whether at the post office, radio station or advertising agency. Some operators figme the average cost at 14c. Counting of mail by states or station. Advertisers often w^ant to determine the mail pidl per radio station, thus they have the mail sent to '"stalion to wfiidi you are listening." \\vvage cost: ]/^c. Opejiing mail. J his is usual 1\ done by liand, as clips and pins are pione to break an electric opening machine. Average cost: i/^c. Checking for proof of purcfiase, such as boxtop o) lalxl. .\\erage cost: Che( king eaili entry jor rule breakage (oxei" the word limit, correct I liynn'ng xvorcl, etc.). ;\\erage cost: 14 c. Judging (preliminary reading, discarding of duplicates, final selection). I I is inleicsting to note here that a le\v ilioiisaiul ciuiies haxc fallen b\ the \\;i\si(Ie between "ride breakage" and this j);nagia])h. Obviously one shoidd not pay lor the judging ol 50, ()()() entries if 2().()()() haxc iucn (hscaided lor rule bi(;ik;igc. .\\(i;igc (ost: !/,( . (Coiilniiied on f)a<^e 12'^) 402 RADIO SHOWMANSHIP