Sponsor (Oct-Dec 1964)

SFONSOR WEEK 3M Reports High Video Tape Sales William H. Madden cites boost in local and network usage, syndication and color tv as growth factors St. Paul — Crediting the "greater use of tape lor lull-length television programs as well as commercial announcements on both the network and local level" and the many "new jobs that video tape is performing in fields beyond commercial television," 3M Co. reports its highest sales in history for Scotch brand video tape. In a year-end discussion on the growing use of video tape, William H. Madden, 3M product sales manager, declared: "All the economic indicators won't be in for perhaps another six months, but we already know that more organizations used video tape during 1964, for whatever purpose, than in any other year since 3M first introduced the product in 1956." According to 3M, industry sources peg sales of video tape and allied equipment in 1964 at nearly $65 million, with an expected growth in 1965 to more than $70 million. In his roundup. Madden pointed out that "the networks are committing more programs to video tape, especially in the areas of news coverage, sports events and prime time shows." He further noted that more than 90 percent of daytime network tv and 65 percent of nighttime tv uses video tape in some form. Madden also noted that another area of growth is video tape usage in syndication on both the national and regional levels. As cases in point, Madden cited the Lloyd Thaxton and Mike Douglas nationally syndicated shows and the regional Grand Ole Opry. In addition, he predicted an acute need for pro A CHRISTMAS STORY 20 Stations Rally to Aid Of Burned-Out Broadcaster Bath, Maine — In a gesture that should gladden the hearts of those who have been advocating an end to internecine warfare among broadcasters, 20 stations, including competitors, last week rallied to the aid of WJTO Bath. Maine, which was destroyed by fire. Assistance supplied included commercials, tapes, recordings and a variety of broadcast equipment. According to Winslow T. Porter, owner of the 1000 watt daytimer in downtown Bath, the station was a total loss, including financial records, all equipment and what Porter described as one of the "finest LP libraries" in the business, consisting of more than 10,000 carefully selected disks. Preceded by an explosion, the 16 fire broke out just before sign-on and it was eight hours before broadcasting could be initiated at the transmitter. Porter said offers of help poured in from Maine and adjoining states. He particularly noted aid supplied by WCSH and WGAN Portland. He also pointed to Elby Stevens, WFSl Caribou, who personally drove 280 miles to Bath with office supplies. Currently, WJTO is broadcasting from Porter's home, pending the rebuilding of his operation. One casualty of the fire was a collection of audition tapes recently submitted by aspiring announcers for an opening on the WJTO staff. Porter explains that the tapes were destroyed as were the resumes. gram material in the next few years with the growth of UHF, which, he said, may result in still more syndication. Color is still another area of potential expansion, Madden said. Pointing to the current sales pattern of color tv sets, he expressed confidence that continued growth in this area would lead to increased color taping of programs by networks. The advantage of video tape in color programing, he declared, is that the same tape is used for color or black-and-white. Pointing out that two out of three tv stations in the country are able to record and play back video tapes and that one out of every ten is equipped with color recording equipment. Madden emphasized that video tape has become an accepted production tool at local tvi stations and among independent i stadon groups for commercials and also for local news and sports events. Madden added that as network programs shift more and more to color, there is every indication that stadons affiliated with the networks will be receptive to offering color transmisson and taping service at the local level. Judging Begins in Contest Held By Hollywood Ad Club Hollywood, Calif. — Boasdng 1 2 television and seven radio categories this year, judging began last week in the fifth annual International Broadcasting Awards competidon under the sponsorship of the Hollywood Advertising Club. With the major tv category live acUon commercials of 60 seconds length, judges in four foreign countries and three U.S. cities will screen entries. Final judging chairman for the event is Bob Dellinger. executive vice president of Grant Advertising in Hollywood. Award winners will be announced during the IBA banquet slated for the Hollywood Palladium Feb. 23. SPONSOR i