Radio showmanship (Jan-Dec 1947)

Grocery Stares NEWS It took Ralph's Food Stores, Bozeman, Mont., just six months in which to switch from spot announcements to sponsorship of a KXLQ program, with the switch made on the basis of resuks achieved from what was an experimental use of broadcast advertising. Since November 1, 1942, Ralph's has a record of uninterrupted sponsorship of a noon hour news broadcast, six days weekly, 12:30-12:45 p.m. Specific items are merchandised on the series, with price mention. While on occasion one single item is described in detail in the commercial continuity, 80 per cent of the time a list of five or six items are featured. Window and floor displays are tied-up with the daily commercial announcement. Labor Unions SWENSON AND THE NEWS To promote good will in the State of Minnesota, the Minnesota Federation of Labor sponsors a 6:00 p.m. newscast over WDGY, Minneapolis, Minn. In addition to world and local news, a portion of the show is devoted to proceedings of the state legislature when it is in session, with special emphasis on matters of interest to labor. Newscaster on the Swenson and the News series is Vince Lonergan, who was an accredited Marine combat correspondent during the war years. Snstaining YOUR INDIANA To give native Hoosiers a broader knowledge of their forests, streams and animals, WIBC, Indianapolis Ind., presents Your Indiana in. cooperation with Purdue' University. Designed primarily as public service, the series combines legend and history into a timely message for conservation of state resources. Ted Shaw, associate professor of Purdue School of Forestry,, formerly Indiana State Forester, is the central character of all scripts, although he is impersonated on the air. Sydney Mason, acior-produecr of four Indiana heads the list of WIBC taleru assigned to the program. Theme song: Back Home Again in Indiana. Series is aired Saturday, 1 1 :4512:00 (noon). VOICE OF THE PEOPLE In Norfolk, Nebraska, WJAG listeners have a chance to let off steam on topics of local, state or national concern. In the Voice of the People, WJAG gives listeners with strong convictions on sundry topics a chance to vent their feelings in a radio adaptation of letters to the editor. Listener letters, with comment from WJAG staff members, provide the bulk of the editorial content for the 15-minute feature which has proved a heavy mail puller throughout its four years on the air. In the pre-broadcast screening process, anonymous letters are discarded as are letters criticizing a religion or individuals other than public figures. Local political issues or comments about local candidates for public office are also taboo. For the benefit of those who take issue with a broadcast, statements submitted to the station 24 hours in advance may be read on the program, with such statements submitted by WJAG to legal counsel to avoid slander or libel suits. In addition to self-invited guests, program features interviews with interesting local personalities and visiting celebrities. Program opens with a few minutes of headline news presented by station manager. Art Thomas. Series is aired six times weekly. TURN BACK THE CALENDAR Human interest stories and intcr\iews which Turn Back the Calendar to Bellingham, Wash, days-gonc-by bring listeners to the KVOS dials, Monday through Friday at 7:00 p.m. By lUilizing the wire-recorder, thus picking u{) the stories where ever found, KVOS tiuns back the pages of time for the story-bchind-ihe-story which took place from one to 90 years ago. Open and { close is scripted, with the main portion : ad libbed. First broadcast October 7, 19 If), the series is clocked at 15 minutes with the excc})tion of an occasional Friday night broadcast when it is expanded to ?A) minutes. Series is written and pro j duccd by announcer Mai Reeves. Appro | priate theme nuisic: Just a Memory. \ • -250 • RADIO SHOWMANSHIP