Variety (Oct 1936)

$8 VARIETY A B I Wednesday, October 7, 1936 Biz Not Worthwhile If Mercbandisk^ Must Re Hartford, Oct. 6. 'Rather than deviate from- its own policies, Station WDRC relinquished an oil company account using five 15-min; spots a week. -Oil company had insisted WDRC undertake mer- chandising. Station frowns upon this practice as disguised form of rate- cutting. Merchandising is .at its. lowest ebb In this city and has "been so for some time. While WTIC has done a little merchandising in behalf of clients, WDRC! is definitely chilly. Only sta- tion which professes a willingness to '""do a real merchandising job is WTHT, a 100 watt;, station which in- augurated its first program Sept. 1st. Station is an affiliate of the Hartford times and, through this media, is able to give merchandising service. Latter station, however, is meeting 4. real handicap in its price rate. When its first 'rate card was issued, this small-powered station had a. higher Tate on Sunday, between 12 and one, than either WTIC, a 50;000 watter, or ''WDRC, a 5,000 watter. When an "advertising agency called the station on- this rate, a correction - was quickly made and new rate cards issued .the following day; but, by comparison to other 100-watt sta- tions,. WTHT is .believed to rank highest in rates in the United States. Rate is meeting resistance and, as a result, WTHT, in one-month's ex- istence has but one commercial in a <:ity where the : other two stations are sold out practically all day. Ad- vertisers are - interested • in purchas- ing time, yet, when quoted rates by agencies and the station itself, are in- clined to turn it.down when, compare ' Ini rates with either WDRC or wnc. SPONSORS-ACENCIES James Free on Coast, for a' client survey. ■ Sohwimmer Si Scott agency ' has the Hudson dealers account in;Chi- cago ■ Bernle Weinberg east to. look over talent crop for Coast shows beings produced by the agency; William Robson, and not Bess Johnson, is the producer' of the Scars-Roebuck 'Then—and Now' pro- gram on Columbia. , Myron Kirk and Raymond Sulli- van of Ruthrauff & Ryan, in Los An- geles for Joe Penner initialer. Also looking around Hollywood for office location. Claude Morris, formerly in the radio script .department, has been named assistant production manager of the Blackman. Agency. John Taylor stays as production chief of the agency. Arthur Kudncr agency is assem- bling data for Buick on a weather reports campaign which the account figures* to use in addition_to. tiie .spot announcements that have been set for the week of Oct. Id. C3> Wax Dog Heror Series . Seattle-, Oct 6T Ace Sanderlin, tops as dog trainer In these parts, is waxing 26 episodes, titled 'Invisible Trails/ being dog hero stories, true to- life. Ruby Har- low' wrote ; continuity- .for this, pro- gram, which goes on NBC and indie stations -along the .Coast.-. ■ Local re- lease over KJR. • .. Sponsored by Albers for Dog Friskles. ' John Pearson is director and Tom Morris* announcer. Buddy Cantor, pic interviewer for WMCA, New Yorky off to the Coast for six weeks. ■'■ Swift subsidiary product, Sweet Meats; getting some -spot announce-, ments set to start late in October. Placed through J. Walter Thompson agency, Chicago, announcements will ride solely south of the Mason-Dixon line. Armand S. Weill agency, Buffalo, turning out a~series of e-.t. announce- ments for Remington-Rand- in behalf of typewriters and office supplies.. Possible that later on other discs- may- be cut for other R-R products in similar, .dramatized, fashion. Station list for present campaign not. set ye\» DuPont has bought the »:30'to 9:46 spot on WAEC, New ■ York, and WCAU, Philadelphia, Saturdays for a program which will plug Zerone, anti-freeze liquid: Show, with Irene Beasley and the Jester, will originate from the CBC studios. Westward end of the CBS link is used at the same time by Pet Milk. > NEW DEALERS IN ONE WEEK Here's how WBZ-WBZA helped, a mayonnaise arid sand- wich spread maker: A free sample offer oh a fifteen min- ute daytime program brought several thousand replies from housewives telling whether or not their dealers carried the sponsor's product. With this information the adver- tiser's salesmen opened 900 new outlets in a week—typi- cal results of a well-planned campaign over these stations! W3Z WBZA 50,000 WATTS NBC Blue Network BOSTON, MASS. 1,000 WATTS NBC Blu* Netwerk SPRINGFIELD, MASS. Completely programmed by NBC Rap Shephard (Continued from.page' 33) out reference to the usual, bogeys of program duplication and monopolis- tic' -trends. ' Ag-.inst New Wording ' Cleared-channel group, embracing 1$'high-powered'stations in 10 states, quickly hit tHe proposed rule changes advocated by the. regional' factidn, demanding the commish maintain the principle of reserving a 'fixed number of ribbons for exclu- sive night'Use even if the total num- ber of cleared-channels is reduced. Craig registered unqualified objec- tions to the idea of substituting the words 'high-powered' for 'cleared channel* throughout the existing regulations." . * . Duplication of stations on ex- clusive ribbons, will be wasteful and injurious to rural listeners, Craig averred; declaring the question cannot be settled in individual cases but should be determined by a flat basic policy. Answering theoretical arguments in favor of establishment of widely-separated stations on ex- clusive frequencies, the WSM exec warned, that even with directional antennas much valuable energy will be dissir-ited over the oceans and ho substantial benefits gained. Reviewing the history of broadcast regulation since the 20's, Craig re- lated how the cleared-channel prin- ciple first evolved and'. traced the gradual break-down of the theory. He questioned whether holders of exclusive franchises have the right to 'bargain away' the interests of their listeners when they permit duplica- tion by consent and recalled the strong economic and political pres- sure -which has been exerted to bring about construction of lower-powered transmitters on- exclusive ribbons. ' As the issue became clear-cut, Craig pointed to John Shepard as one of the most persistent advocates of abolition of cleared channels. He protested' that his group has \been subjected to long and costly hearings, as well as kept on the anxious seat for months, as a result of Shepard's crusade. Cleared-channel people have, been harassed repeatedly,. he charged, and steps must be taken to safeguard investments and counter* act political influence. Thirty Exclusive Channels If the Commish. substitutes the words 'high-powered* in its present cleared channel rules, every sta- tion holding an. exclusive franchise will be faced with the job of de- fending its life-continuously without any-aid.from the rule book, Craig contended. Ho pointed out that only 30- of tho 4.0 cleared channelS.actually arc c::?lus:ve ft present and re- marked that networks b-wo Rained practical control of nearly half this number. • T^U8l- : r«2 on the power issue. C: - ai? d ; ~*}cd b~ck into- th-* early days of th* old Federal Radio Cam- mission to find support for his argu- ment that wattage restrictions should bo mad?rpi--;d. Hi rccillcl the cha- otic c.-"?dit.'-v*s vhich developed when th-5 1912 radio .act was a*ti- ennned by the courts and cited en- gineering opinion of 1927 to .the ef- fect tint th~-e is no need for power limitation on.r-v»'n-ive f'"equer»C!"*r.. Whan tb~ old F.R.C. boosted the power limit from 5 to 50 kw.. Vast improvement' H service to rurrl ^rc?s i—i>U?d. Cvai" dacHred. Thr. juico iolt htt f^oon tho or>lv means of reaching millions of listeners in thinlv-populat-id pai'ts of the coun- try, he reminded the Commish. B!aEche Young ? s Course Indianapolis, Oct. 6. Bl-nshe Young c,onductor and program director for the- Indianapolis Public Schools' regular School Sketches programs, last year over WFBM—this year WIRE and WFBM —takes a ch?ir at Indiana University Extension Division, teaching radio production. • Also at Indiana Extension for the semester's regular . night, sessions is Edith Evans, fashion copywriter for the Wm. H. Block Company, depart- ment store, listed to conduct series of lectures on radio continuity writing. AYO, COMM'L MGR. Fred W. Ayer has been named commercial manager of WSAR, Fall River, Mass. He's a brother of Hibbard Ayer, station rep, with whom he was associated for awhile last summer. ■ " Indie Fall River outlet goes from 250 watts to 1,000 end of this month, and will erect a new antenna simul- taneously. Robert-Kllntent, recently mikeman for WCHS, Charleston, W. Va., added to announcing 1 staff at WCKY, Cin- cinnati. Meantime, Louis Aiken, Jr., leaves WCKY to spiel for WGR, Buffalo. J. N. Hlnchey, once commercial manager of WCBA, Allentown, has been named to the sales staff of KYW, Philadelphia. Here and There Otto Nenbauer resumes his solo piano series over WDRC, Hartford, Harold Jovlen now writing under his right name for the Southwest News, Chicago. Drops former radio editdr nom de plume of H. J. Houser. . Joe Connolly, conductor of WFAB's Jersey City Irish Hour, is also the radio editor of New, York-'s Hi- bernian gazette, The Irish Echo. Elliot Stewart, heretofore with Co- lumbia Concerts division of Colum- bia Artists Bureau, has joined the WIBX Utica mike and production staff. Another announcing addition is Lowell Gubbins, previously with WSYR, Syracuse. Spieling staff now numbers seven. Frank Sharp, WFBM Indianapolis program director, back at his desk officially after a brief vacation spent chiefly unofficially at his desk.- Harley Hubbard now assistant sales manager of KGFW, Kearney (Neb.). Mary Nally, contralto, has returned on a late-evening WGY, Schenectady sustaiher titled 'Dream Time,' with ah orchestra led by Edward A. Rice: Virginia Murdock, soprano 1 , is a' new- comer, on sustaining at station. James Wilder handling a new pro- gram titled 'Opportunity Hour' over WKEU, Griffin,. Ga. Morton Lawrence, announcer at WCAU, Philly, switching daily 'Sleepy Hollow Boys'.program. Jim Begley, -program director of KYW, Philly, recuperating from abdominal operation.. Bolly Mitchell, 12-year-old song- stress, off schedule at WICC, Bridge- port, because of illness. Vaughn de Xeath, m. c.'ing week- ends at Chimney Corners, North" Stamford, Conn. T«m Lewis, writer and actor, who has been WTAM's, Cleveland, pro^ Cram director for some months, has been granted an. indefinite leave of absence. Chester Zohn, night pro- gram director, has taken over Lewis' duties. Under direction of Carol Hall, WDVL's (Salt Lake City) Kangaroo Club (kids) starts its 13th year this week. Club-has total membership of 15,000. George Snell, KDYL announcer, turned out his third published novel, xioot. Hog, and.Die.' Caxton, Idaho firm, publishers. Frank Austin latest addition to KDYL, Salt Lake, announcing staff. Formerly with KTSP, St. Paul. H. H. Holshouser, assistant, treas- urer and general accountant for WBT, Charlotte, back from Canada and two weeks of ..vacation' there. Mrs. Holshouser went along. • Myron Fox, KDYL Salt Lake an- nouncer, won annual city newspaper- radio employes golf tourney. r,:::> Soil's Band at Hotel Utah's Empire room aired twice weekly by KSL, Salt Lake. Russell Stewart an- nouncing. ^ Mary Nally, contralto, has -returned to WGY on a late evening sustainer titled 'Dream Time,' with an orches- tra led by Edward A. Rice. Takes place of 'Gypsy Trail.' which WGY fed' to NBC for some time. Caldwell Cline, news commentator for WSOC, Charlotte, N. C, is vaca- tioning in Atlanta. Preston Stroupe, vocalist, has been added to the Wayside program of Harold Brown, over WSOC, Char- lotte, N. C. WJAY, Cleveland, is all set to erect a new transmitter, and antenna as soon as the Federal Communica- tions Commission gives the word. New site "would be out-of-town at Seven Hill Village, south of Cleve- land. It is -the same site now •being used by WHK. Margaret ,SiceIoff, former an- nouncer and dramatist .at Asheville, now secretary to Sales. Manager Dewey Long at WBT, Charlotte. ... John N. Hinchley, joins KYW (Philly) sales staff, coming, from commercial, manager duties at WCBA, Allentown., Rock TJlmer, formerly .with .WHO, Des Moines, now on KSTP, St. Paul, announcing staff. John M. Sherman, St. Paul dis- trict radio and communications in- spector for the F.C.C., has resigned to- become .technical ^director of WTCN, St. Paul-Minneapolis news- papers-owned station. Carl W. Loeber moved in from Detroit to as* sume Sherman's former post. Bobby Jelllson, WCCO, Min- neapolis, sound effects man, marries in October. Rath Parks, named WHK*s new organist, once played at Palace, Cleveland. Starting Oct. 4 she rates a. spot over CBS chain in a new series titled 'Day Dreams' in which she will appear with Lou Rich's Orchestra. Leroy Flynn, 18-year-old high school orator, joins WICC, Bridge- port, as announcer. Gay Wallace, former announcer at WHN, New York, now spokesman at W1XBS, Waterbury-New Haven. Johnny Niv'1cnd?s. orchestra at Hotel ClarU?-?'. Memphis. Broad- casts three tinv -. daily over WHBQ. VocaUsts include Marie DuPre, Dick Rock and the Four Toppers. Recently-married Betty Jones, con- tinuity writer for WNBR, Memphis, has resigned to travel through Ala- bama with her husband, Terry Jack- son, of the Alabama Power and Light Co. Raymond Gny and W. S. Duttera, NBC engineer experts, visited Cleve- land -last week and spoke at Case School of Applied Science to radio engineers on new developments in antenna. Adrian James Flantey, former sales promotion manager- of World Broad- casting, has opened his own offices in New York tor sales promotion, publicity and artist representation in radio. Gertrude Ber£ fills guest gap for Ben Bernie's American Can broad- cast of Oct. 13. Frere Herman Bernie negotiated. Edna Ran, formerly of Harkins agency, takes over Phyllis- Foster (home economics etherizer) duties for WDAS, Philly, replacing Lee Lawrence. Lanny Ross gives a benefit con- cert ct Tatt Preparatory School, Watertown, Conn., Oct. 31. When he was a student there he was leader of the glee club. Mickey Gillette, NBC saxophonist and conductor, will leave San Fran- cisco for Hollywood shortly. He is batoning Jack Meakin's programs while the latter is on a month's •cave of absence. Bca Kenaderet, singing comedienne at KFRC, San Francisco, leaving after more than four years on the station's staff to try her luck in Hol- lywood. 1 "Th* Ad vcrds/nq rpst Station In thv Atfvcriismq Test City ' Maximum Coveraqe m the Major Connecticut Markets Basic CB S Station Hartford.Conn. National Representative ' Free, Johris &.. Field, Inc. New York—Chicago—Detroit San Francisco — Los Angelea