| Chairman's Message |
RAB Radio Show Recap
By Duane Alverson, MacDonald Broadcasting
September included a trip to Chicago for the NAB/RAB Radio Show and I’m happy
to report I left leaving the conference feeling a positive pulse despite the many challenges
facing broadcasters moving forward.
First, I want to take this opportunity to congratulate Connie Cox, who earned the Radio
Wayne Award for National Sales Person of the Year. Connie currently works for
Cumulus in Detroit, but started her career in small market radio. Connie truly represents an example of the exceptional talent in our great industry. Congratulations, Connie, from
all of your fellow Michigan broadcasters and everyone at the MAB!
It was nice to sense some ‘fire in the belly’ from some keynote speakers. One of the best
was Eddie Combs, VP and CMO for Sears Brands. You may recall the campaign for
Sears Brands that featured “Mr. Indecisive” Brett Favre. Eddie used this NFL icon to drive home a critical competitive advantage for Sears over the competition. The most compelling part of Eddie’s remarks centered around the exceptional power of RADIO and TELEVISION to generate “buzz” to the masses. Then how he used the new digital space to draw millions of consumers further into that “buzz” to dramatically increase “consideration” of Sears Brands. Go to YouTube and search Eddie Combs-Radio Ink interview to check it out.
Bottom line - Eddie Combs gets it. He even admits it. The power of “intrusive” media is tremendous and when used correctly it delivers big results for advertisers. When not used, results pale in comparison. Pretty good for a guy who started out in a heavy metal rock band.
The one thing missing at the conference was a session on the power of sound and someone capable of explaining the powerful advantages our sound driven mediums have over passive mediums. We’ll work on that for our upcoming Great Lakes Broadcasting Conference coming in March 2012.
Enjoy the wonderful color spectacular this Fall. Pure Michigan!
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| Engineering/ABIP |
Available Now: NEW EAS SMS/Email Notification Service
MAB is offering a NEW member service that will allow you, and other key members of your staff, "fast access" to important information via Michigan's newly installed EAS EMnet satellite and Internet messaging warning system.
The new notification service will enable you to opt for email and/or SMS text messages that will be sent directly to your phone and will allow for a faster "heads up" for you and your staff when it comes to AMBER Alerts, Civil Warnings and Severe Weather Warnings.
Simply go to: www.EASmichigan.org and sign up today.
You can select from these three message categories:
• AMBER Alerts
• Civil Warnings (Evacuation, Shelter in Place, 911 outages, etc)
• Tornado or Severe Thunderstorm Warnings
Each category will afford you the opportunity to select as few as one county or as many as all the counties in the state. You decide the area for which you wish to receive messages.
Signing up is easy and fast, and the best part is there is no charge for this service. (Note: normal texting rates from your phone carrier will apply.)
Please note that this service is NOT open to the general public and is specifically designed with broadcasters in mind.
For more information, or if you have questions, contact Larry Estlack, MAB's Director of Technology, at 1-800-968-7622.
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Calling all exhibitors!!!
Reserve your space NOW for the 2012 GLBC
Contact Jennifer Preslar at 800-YOUR-MAB
Exhibit space for GLBC is now being reserved on a first come, first served basis. For more than two decades, the GLBC has continued to grow and attract broadcasters from throughout Michigan and surrounding states.
By exhibiting, you will have direct contact with general managers, engineers, producers, programmers, sales staff, production directors, news directors and others - in one place, at one time.
In 2011, more than 78% of Michigan broadcasters attended the GLBC.
MAB designs the GLBC so it is Michigan's premier broadcasting event. Plus, the exhibit hall is open free to all broadcasters! MAB crams all the programs and sessions into one day, so that guests save time and money.
Please visit http://conta.cc/2012exhibits for booth details and online registration.
Sponsorships are available. Please visit http://conta.cc/2012sponsorships.
Contact MAB for more GLBC information at (800) 968-7622.
CAP Code Compliance Deadline Extended
In an order issued September 16, the FCC confirmed it will extend the requirement of installation of CAP compliant EAS equipment until June 30, 2012. The decision was based on several factors, including the amount of time that was allowed for final CAP code development, as well as the uncompleted work to be done on Part 11 rules.
Click here for the complete text of the order.
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| Political Broadcasting Webcast |
It's that time again! Time to start making sure that you are 100%
compliant with political broadcasting rules and regulations.
Bobby Baker and David Oxenford will present a two-hour FREE webcast from the campus of Michigan State University on Wednesday, October 12 at 1pm. Topics covered will include lowest unit rate, third party issue advertising, reasonable access and equal opportunities, sponsorship identification, public file requirements and more.
MAB Member cost: FREE!!!
Non-Member cost: $150
Attend in-person or online! The presentation will be webcast live, with email available for questions and will be archived online and accessible to registered participants for six months.
In-person location: Communication Arts & Sciences Building, Room 145, Michigan State University
Register Here |
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| GLBC |
re·in·vention [ree-in-vent- SHən] noun
1. to invent again or anew,
2. to remake or make over, as in a different form,
3. to bring back; revive.
The world is changing quickly, and change means reinvention. Each time a major shift happens in our industry, we have to take control of what our business will become, or risk never reaching our full potential.
The Michigan Association of Broadcasters and its partner groups are here to help you identify those changes and reinvent what broadcasters do and how we connect to our communities.
At the 2012 Great Lakes Broadcasting Conference, you will:
- Hear directly from industry experts about their take on the future
- Learn how to utilize new technologies to enhance your business
- See the latest in technology on the exhibit hall floor
- Make connections with your peers
- Recognize the best in our field and outstanding future broadcasters
Join us for one day that will reenergize, reinvigorate and renew your passion for the industry.
Who attends GLBC?
- Radio & Television Owners, GMs and Managers
- Sales Managers and Account Executives
- News Directors, Producers and Reporters
- Engineers
- Programmers and Promotions Directors
- Audio & Video Technicians
- Students and Educators
- And anybody involved in the audio, video or broadcasting industries!
Register at http://conta.cc/GLBCreg2012
"You have to reinvent yourself every day, and that means being a pioneer."
— Frederic de Narp, President and CEO of Cartier
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| State Legislative Update |
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Michigan Legislature: Is There a Fault in No-Fault?
Rob Elhenicky, Kelley-Cawthorne
Bills in both the House and Senate that would create optional caps within Michigan’s no-fault auto insurance system have recently come under fire from opponents who say it endangers health care jobs, while its sponsors say it’s a needed move to lower auto-insurance costs. Michigan's only state in the nation current no-fault system provides unlimited lifetime coverage for medical expenses resulting from auto accidents.
Senate Bill 0029, sponsored by Sens. Joe Hune (R-Hamburg) and Virgil Smith (D-Detroit) would create six tiers of Personal Injury Protection (PIP) for people to choose from, altering Michigan's current no-fault system. The bill is currently in the Senate Insurance Committee which is chaired by Sen. Hune.
The proposed changes would let people choose to pay for a range of coverage options from $50,000 of coverage to $500,000 or choose to pay for the current unlimited coverage.
In Mid-September in the House, Insurance Chair Pete Lund (R-Shelby Twp.) introduced HB 4936 which would set the lowest tier of no-fault coverage at $250,000 -- five times higher than the $50,000 proposed in SB 0293. Lund's bill would create four tiers -- with a cap of $5 million -- and would include fee schedules, which Lund said would help keep costs "at a more reasonable level" so a lower coverage amount could cover more health care.
To cover the costs of those with catastrophic claims in a given year, each automotive insurance company pays an annual fee to the Michigan Catastrophic Claims Association (MCCA). This year the fee is $145 and applies to every vehicle the company insures. That money is used to reimburse auto insurance companies for claims that are more than $500,000. Last year, it made reimbursements totaling more than $800 million.
If drivers were able to choose to have less coverage, they would not have to pay the $145 fee, which opponents argue would put the solvency of the MCCA in question. According to the Coalition Protecting Auto No-Fault (CPAN), which has already launched a media offensive against SB 0293, findings released in a study show how creating optional tiers in the no-fault auto insurance system could result in additional Medicaid costs. According to that study, one out of 17 claims will exceed $50,000 -- the minimum amount of coverage people could choose under the Senate bill. The study estimates that the $61,000 per traumatic brain injury not covered due to lower coverage selections would result in $30 million in Medicaid costs the first year. Another study, done by the Anderson Economic Group, found that job losses would come from the money not available to nursing homes and other facilities that provide lifetime care to people with such needs resulting from a vehicle crash.
In the coming weeks we should expect proponents of the package to hit back with studies of their own and findings showing that this Michigan specific plan is continuing to force Michigan drivers into paying higher auto insurance premiums while forcing others to go without any insurance at all. They will highlight the risk uninsured drivers pose to the state and costs that are thrust upon all drivers without some type of reform to the system.
Lawmakers and advocacy groups are expected to continue to work on changes to the bills throughout the fall with both sides continuing to hit the airwaves throughout the coming months.
How to Uplink LIVE from an Island
The Michigan Association of Broadcasters (MAB) made it easier for television stations to file their reports LIVE from the recent Biennial Republican Leadership Conference on Mackinac Island. Only one production/uplink truck was allowed on the island and that truck was to be shared by the networks and was not able to facilitate room for local television coverage. However, the MAB worked with Matt Davis, of the Republican party staff, to obtain permission from Mackinac Island city council to allow a second truck on the island for local coverage, sponsored by the MAB.
Jeff Moon’s, Moonlink Satellite Inc., was chosen for the task and MAB members coordinated their usage through Keystone Enterprises. Stations only had to pay for the satellite time that they used. Over a third of MAB member television stations took advantage of the uplink truck and were able to cover a number of different events. The event gave Michigan television stations an opportunity to interact directly with national candidates, various Michigan Legislators, Congressmen and state officials.
The truck was transported to the Island at night via ferry. It was hidden on the lawn of the Grand Hotel and taken off the Island early Sunday morning. It was quite the project and entailed a significant amount of coordination and personnel. It was well worth the effort.
“It is our job to help our members to do their jobs more efficiently and economically” said Karole White, MAB President and CEO. " This is just one example of the many ways MAB helps its members."
Additionally, Karole White attended the conference and was able to have brief conversations on issues of importance to members with Attorney General Bill Schuette, Governor Rick Snyder and Congressmen Fred Upton, Dave Camp, Tim Walberg aas well as former Congressman, and Candidate for U.S. Senate, Pete Hoekstra. It was a great weekend and gave us a double bang for the buck - Helping our members and advancing our legislative agenda. |
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| Federal and Regulatory Update |
FCC Proposes Rules for Captioning of Online Video - Important Considerations for TV Stations Putting Programming on the Internet
By David Oxenford, Davis Wright Tremaine LLP
Putting TV or cable programming onto the Internet may soon not be as easy as it once was, as the FCC has just issued its Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on the captioning requirements for online video. The proposals advanced by the Commission, are summarized in our firm's Advisory on the subject, here. These rules are proposed pursuant to a Congressional mandate that requires captioning of television programming that has already been captioned pursuant to an FCC rule, when that programming is later shown on the Internet. This obligation was adopted as part of the 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act ("CVAA") which, among other things, looks to make Internet video programming accessible to the hearing impaired. Programming that has run on TV stations or cable systems, and is later delivered through the Internet, will apparently be under the captioning obligations, subject to any exceptions adopted by the FCC in this proceeding. The legislation requires that rules be adopted in January, and that implementation begins 6 months thereafter. Thus, there is a very quick comment period - with comments due 20 days after the NPRM is published in the Federal Register, and replies 10 days later.
 more:read/download pdf
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The Radio Show Rocks and More!
By Julie Koehn, NAB Representative for District 13
Lot of things are happening at the NAB! We just completed a hugely successful Radio Show in Chicago. With a sold-out hotel and Marconi dinner and full vendor space, the show saw an attendance increase of 24%, a sure sign that our industry is doing well and is staying educated and engaged. I had the opportunity to attend several sessions, listen to leaders in our industry speak about the opportunities radio operators face and to visit with vendors offering products that can help us grow our terrestrial products and help us to innovate online.
I had the opportunity to be part of the MIW speed mentoring session. What fun it was to meet people young and old who are interested in ways to move their careers forward in our industry. While we know we are at a critical time for both radio and television, there is so much innovation we can use to take our products and services to the next level. I would invite you to put the next NAB Show on your calendar. The Las Vegas Show will take place April 15-19, 2012.
more:read/download pdf
MAB; Michigan Cable Discuss EAS Test
On Tuesday, September 27 broadcast managers and engineers met with cable head-end technicians to discuss the upcoming national EAS test on November 9. Over 50 attendees spent the day in Lansing reviewing results from the September EAS soft test, going over technical information and discussing the engineering aspects of the test, including what the audio will include, what video will be used and how to make sure the public is aware that it is a test. For more information on the test please visit: http://michmab.com/eas/easNATIONALtest.html |
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| Michigan AMBER Alert |
Red Wings Fly in with a Fundraiser for Michigan AMBER Alert
The Michigan AMBER Alert Foundation (MAAF) has teamed with the Detroit Red Wings for a special fundraising opportunity. For three special games, the Red Wings are offering discounted tickets to the MAAF, its partners and to the general public in an effort to bring awareness to the Michigan AMBER Alert program. Each ticket sold will yield a $5 donation to the MAAF.
Individual tickets are on sale now for the games listed below. To receive the discounted ticket rate and to make a $5 donation to the MAAF you must go through the website listed below, use promo code: AMBER. Tickets start at just $25 (regularly $50) for general seating or you can upgrade to premium seating for $40 (Regularly $60). Additional taxes and fees may apply. See each game date for specific pricing.
RED WINGS vs. Dallas Stars
Saturday, November 12th at 7:00pm
MAAF Tickets: $25 or $40
RED WINGS vs. Buffalo Sabres
Monday, January 16th at 7:30pm
MAAF Tickets: $30 or $45
RED WINGS vs. Nashville Predators
Friday, March 30th at 7:30pm
MAAF Tickets: $30 or $45
Purchase Tickets at: www.DetroitRedWings.com/amber
We Need Your Help!
We are asking for your help in promoting these events. The Michigan AMBER Alert Program is an important program, not only because it helps to protect our precious children, but because it also helps us fulfill our community service obligation to the general public. In the coming weeks, your station will receive detailed information about the event, as well as, live read scripts that we hope you will utilize to help us get the message out.
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| Industry Articles & Editorials |
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6 IMPORTANT PROGRAMMING POINTS to think about as we get ready for the Fall
By Gary Berkowitz, Berkowitz Broadcast Consulting Inc.
- FORGET THE COMPETITION. Never acknowledge your competition. Listeners do not care, and many (especially women who feel it is child-like) are offended by this tactic. Do not allow yourself to be “engaged” in an on-air battle of words that will only cause harm. If a competitor talks about you, ignore it. In one market, the competition launched a major campaign smearing the station I work with. They experienced a major monthly drop.
- BE LOCAL. Make sure there are places on the clock to mention people, places that listen and events. Take advantage of traffic reports to sound local. Use the Ron Chapman trick; “The accident is at Main and Second, right in front of McDonalds.”
- BE HUMAN. Remind your talent that they are like actors. Actors use scripts. Their interpretation brings the words in the script to life. The same applies to liners. If they just read them, it will not work. Adding the human touch and not losing the message brings them to life. Be careful not to allow jocks too much room to “interpret” the liners. Many times in their attempt to do this, the focus and point get lost.
- BE BENEFIT DRIVEN. Make sure that every time the jock opens the mic it promotes a benefit of the station. It is hard enough to get listeners to hear our message. Frequency is key here. Remember; music quantity and at work are essential.
- AIRCHECK THE JOCKS. It is so important that they understand what you expect from them. It also strengthens your relationship with them. Doing an aircheck session will alert you to things you may not normally hear.
- STAY CLOSE WITH PROMOTIONS. The program director should be the final link in all promotions. Make sure they are right for the station, and executed properly to help improve ratings. Example: How does this promotion increase occurrences of listening? Are we talking about it enough/too much? Promotions are the icing on the cake. Music is still the #1 reason they listen.
New Rule Requires Employers to Notify Employees of Their Rights Under the National Labor Relations Act
By Gary W. Klotz, Robert A. Boonin & Marc W. Oswald, Butzel Long
The National Labor Relations Board (“NLRB”) has announced that as of November 14, 2011, employers across the country will be required to inform their employees that they have the right to unionize. Under the NLRB’s new rule, all private sector employers—both unionized and non-unionized—that are subject to the National Labor Relations Act (“NLRA”) will have to post notices and take other measures advising their employees of their rights under the NLRA. Due to the broad reach and scope of the NLRA, virtually all private sector employers – including almost all broadcasters - are subject to the NLRA. An employer that fails to comply with this new rule may be charged with engaging in an unfair labor practice under the NLRA.
The NLRB issued the new rule despite overwhelming opposition voiced during the public comment period. As a result, broadcasters should take steps to understand the rule, its requirements, and the potential consequences of noncompliance.
more:read/download pdf
Summer Intern Highlight: Julie Wu
By Julie Wu, Intern, Michigan AMBER Alert Foundation
I am a graduate student at MSU, majoring in communications. I want to make public relations (PR) my future career, and that is one of the reasons why I’ve chosen to intern at the Michigan AMBER Alert Foundation (MAAF) for three months.
Throughout my internship, applying what I’ve learned in class to the practical world has been a big gain for me. I have honed my writing skills, through writing articles that were published in the MAB’s monthly newsletter, which, I believe, is a pivotal skill a PR person should possess. I have learned many professional skills through the Redwings Project, such as how to compose a marketing plan, come up with a to-do list, raise funds for a non-profit organization and obtain possible sponsorships. Since I am really interested in social media, being able to help administer the Facebook and Twitter accounts is another exciting experience for me. All in all, I’ve spent the most fulfilling summer I’ve ever had at MAAF under the guidance of my supervisor Mary Worland and MAB President Karole White. This opportunity will definitely better prepare me for a future career.
"Julie was an excellent intern and quick learner," said Mary Worland, MAAF Development Coordinator. "She was willing to take on any project and strived for excellence; we will miss her."
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