Television digest and FM reports (Jan-Dec 1948)

FEANK FOlSOn AS RCA'S KEV/ PRESIDSKT: Just 5 years from the day he joined RCA Victor as v.p., stocky, good-natured, hard-driving Frank Marion Folsom was named president of parent Radio Corp. of America. His election to that post takes administrative burdens off shoulders of Gen. David Sarnoff, who retains board chairmanship and continues as RCA executive officer. Veteran v.p. and general manager John G. (Joe) Wilson becomes executive v.p. at Camden, where other changes will take place v/hen Folsom moves to New York Jan. 1. Board's declaration of additional 20$^ dividend (making 50p per common share for year) also made nev/s Friday. Frank Folsom was brought into RCA Victor by Gen. Sarnoff to reorganize it (he decentralized its multifarious activities into virtually autonomous departments) and to pitch his merchandising skill against master competitors (in TV sales, RCA maintains it's well in lead). Born in Sprague, Wash., May 14, 1894, he came up from ranks in dept, store field. Among other posts, he was head of San Francisco's Hale Brothers, Pacific Coast manager and then Chicago merchandising v.p. for Montgomery Ward, executive head of Goldblatt Brothers, Chicago. Through the war, he held top defense jobs in Washington — mainly with WPB and Navy on procurement. His personal credo ("pleasant human relationships") and his merchandising credo ("always give the customers what they want") have found full expression in his RCA Victor operations. Morale of Victor organization is at highest peak in its history, as anyone can discern who has done business there over the years — which means just about everyone in the radio industry. So far as TV is concerned, Folsom is like a "kid with an electric train," looks on it as the merchandiser's dream. NEW TRADE NAMES & NEW GIMMICKS: Three new TV brands promised by well-known radio makers within short time: Regal , 10-in. table model at §375. Remler Co . , San Francisco, 10-in. console at $399.50 ready when KPIX gets started this month; plans other models later. Freed, 12-in. TV-FM-AM models, later 16-in., no details... Stromberg-Carlson' s president Dr. Ray Manson, in annotincing 500 quarterly plus onetenth share year-end common stock dividend, remarked on "nation-wide sweep to TV," reported "heavy demand" by dealers and consumers for big-picture TVs, said present capacity of 3,000 per month will reach 5,000 by mid-1949. . . Crosley is raising 10-in. table models $20 (Vol. 4 ;45,46) . . .Westinghouse is pondering whether to go into cathode ray tube production at its Bloomfield tube works; it's surveying field. New twist in radio-TV merchandising with special appeal to buyers in non-TV areas who don't want to be caught with expensive radio-phono when time comes for TV: Farnsworth is now selling Capehart TV-radio combinations (Models 501, 502, 504) without video but with space finished off for record storage. Customer is given year to order TV chassis installation. Cost is roughly difference (about $450) between what is paid for radio-phono console and full price of TV-radio combination... Newly formed Video Corp. of America, merging with Cornell Television Corp. (see TV Directory No. 5), has issued prospectus for 300,000 shares of common stock at $1 per share, Henry P. Rosenfield Co. underwriter; M. M. Platzman is president, J. C. Rivman sales manager. .. "Retailing Daily" for Dec. 3 reports exclusive interview with Arthur Levey, president of Scophony Corp. of America, 527 Fifth Ave., New York, affiliated with British Scophony Ltd., in which he promises "radically different video" priced "under $500" that projects 24x20-in. picture, using "supersonic cell" rather than cathode ray principle. Admiral v.p. Richard A. Graver tells us we erred in stating (Vol. 4:48) that Admiral company has never claimed TV production of more than 1,800 per week; says production now is at rate of 5,000 per week "and will increase." * * * * On heels of Macy's reduction of installation cost as means of meeting pricecutting (Vol. 4:47), free or cut-rate second-year and sometimes longer warranties are being offered. New York's Dynamic Stores offers 2-year warranty with Admiral TVs, first year being regulation charge for installat ion-v/arranty , second varying with price of set. In Washington, Lubar's gives second year and subsequent warranties for as little as $25. As if price-cutting isn't enough, new wrinkle is combining table TV set with radio console for low flat price. Lubar's, Washington, advertised combination at $199; it turned out to be 7-in. Teletone table model (nor