Sponsor (Oct-Dec 1960)

SPONSOR SPEAKS The man and the challenge When, in early January. Governor LeRoy P. Collins steps in as president of the NAB, he will have the enthusiastic backing of a large majority of broadcasters. Nearly every radio and tv man we have talked to since the Collins appointment was announced on 10 October. has expresesd gratification and delight that the NAB selection committee was able to find a man of such stature to head up the Association. Several have pointed out to us that Governor Collins, even before the Democratic Convention in Los Angeles swept him to national tv prominence, was an energetic user of the broadcast media during his two Florida term-. He brings to the NAB a sympathy with and an understanding of the power and importance of radio and tv, as well as a high-level knowledge of political and legislative problems. But the Governor also faces one of the most challenging and difficult jobs which exist anywhere in American business. No other large industry — and we say this very deliberately — has as many rugged individualists, or as many conflicting viewpoints, as has the broadcast business. This is at once its strength, but also and especially in times of crises the industry's great weakness. It i difficult for strong leadership to assert itself, even when strong leader? are desperately needed. The test of Governor Collins, after he has had a chance to absorb the complex and exhausting details of his new post. will be whether or not he can give the industry the vigorous, powerful, and forward-looking leadership it genuinely deserves. If he becomes merely a "Washington spokesman" for the private aims and ambitions of a heterogeneous group of broadcasters, he may be an attractive and highly ornamental figure, but he will have failed the larger task. If, on the other hand, he can use his office to exert a strong positive influence both externally with the public and government, and internally, within the industry itself, he will give to broadcasting what every thoughtful man among us know we should have. This is the challenge the Governor faces. In this we wish him well and. as he assumes his difficult post, we pledge him our support. ^ lO-SECOND SPOTS Oh, NAB Code! Product protectij took its lumps (lining that wild Wor] Series, at least during two game Ever\ time GM's commercial ende it seemed, the radio announcer can on with. 'Here's Ford!:' And whei did all those Dooming homers land Why, in Scheidey Park! The Summit: There's a runu around town that David Susskind NTA's Open End has plans to tt his interview with Mr. K with a re bombshell in late December. 11 guest has not yet been announce* but word is out that Mr. Susskii.d questions are being drawn up for hii by a panel of leading theologians. ATTN: Media Directors! Repi sentative Joe Martin uncovers ready-made ad medium in his hoc ( with Robert J. Donovan i *■ First Fifty Years in Politics." I reveals. "I always make a point j shaking hands with bartenders wlie! ever I come across them, becaul their recommendations, voiced at tfo moment when mens minds are hig ly receptive to ideas, carry weight in a community." But Co gressman, the boys got so confus last year they elected Miss RheinL(*l to the State Legislature. ATTN: Harry and Bert! Those p who are always one step ahead of t raw. the strip-teasers, have done again — this time under the influen of spot tv and radio. There's nowi pair who call themselves "The P< Sisters." Quite a take-ofj. ATTN: Admen! The New Engla Journal of Medicine" reported, at a study of Trappist monks, that "mi er a peaceful life nor a diet extren ly low in meat and animal fat daily physical exercise ' presei (them) from the ills often linked high pressure civilization"" typifie<l the life of the average Americ business or professional man. 1 an onion in it this time. Arthur. The truth stinks: Jack Can* morning broadcaster at \^ IL. Louis, sends along a hard-luck sto about a guy who spent $4,000 f>l halitosis cure and then found out tl no one liked him anyhow. Well. I better than no breath at all. 90 SPONSOR • 24 OCTOBER