KBA WEEKLY NEWSLETTER

SEPTEMBER 14, 2023

57 YEARS IN BROADCASTING

ERNIE ANDERSON HAS NO PLAN TO RETIRE

In December 1966, Ernie Anderson — a self-described “everyday Joe” — started working in radio at the age of 16 for $1.25 an hour at WLOG-AM in Logan, West Virginia.

“It was an accident; I never dreamed of becoming a radio guy,” Anderson said. “Ever since I was 10 years old I wanted to be a game show host. Television was always my love since I was a little boy and, I thought, man, I’d like to be a big game show host in New York or Los Angeles.”

With those dreams failing to come to fruition, Anderson found himself in radio where he fell in love with the work. He said, “I lucked into a job that I just happened to love.”

Anderson grew up in Brooklyn, New York, and moved to Logan County, West Virginia, at the age of 6. He graduated from Man High School in 1968 and graduated from Marshall University in 1972. He obtained a bachelor’s degree in speech.

Anderson is a former host of WOWK TV-13 quiz show, “High-Q” (1984-98). The show has been reincarnated through the years, but still stands today. The all-new version of “High-Q” is now on KoolHits1057.com.

Anderson, 72, said the computerization of the business has changed the game in radio, making the process much easier.

“When I started we had vinyl records, three turntables, commercials on tape and cartridge machines; everything was really hands-on,” he said. “You had to learn how to ‘slip-cue’ a song, which means you had the needle on the record which you held your finger very lightly on it so that when you talked and you hit the intro of the song you took your finger off and the song played. From that we went to all cartridge disks then it went to CDs in the mid-80s.

For Anderson, retirement is not in the equation. He said he will be on the air until he physically can’t do the job anymore.

Anderson will begin his 58th year in broadcasting on Dec. 16, he said. “It’s been a great journey.”

Courtesy of The Daily Independent in Ashland

SEPTEMBER 15: DEADLINE FOR UPDATING ETRS FORM ONE

With the anniversary of September 11th this week, it seems appropriate to highlight the upcoming October 4 Nationwide Test of the EAS system. While EAS was not activated during the September 11 emergency, the events of that date have provided much impetus for federal emergency authorities to strengthen the EAS system. Part of that effort has been the regular testing of the Nationwide EAS alert system. As we wrote in August, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has scheduled a nationwide EAS test for October 4, 2023, at approximately 2:20pm EDT, using the Internet-based Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS) (with a back-up date of October 11 if necessary). In a Public Notice released in August, the FCC set out steps that broadcasters should take to prepare for that test. READ MORE

NATIONWIDE EAS TEST IN OCTOBER

RESOURCES TO GET PREPARED

As David Oxenford mentioned above, a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System is scheduled for Wednesday, October 4th at 2:20pm EDT. This is not only a critically important exercise to ensure that the EAS network is working effectively, but it's also an opportunity for stations across the country to flex their first informer muscles. In order to do that, stations are urged to use the following resources well in advance of test day.

The National Association of Broadcasters provided a one-page document to help you prepare for the test. View the document HERE.
Larry Wilkins, John George and EAS receiver manufacturers got together to produce an on demand EAS preparation webinar. You can watch the webinar by clicking HERE.
The FCC Public Notice regarding the National EAS Test.

Not being prepared for the National EAS Test is no excuse. If we can help, please reach out to Scott Cason at enginnering@kba.org.

3RD THURSDAY WEBINAR SERIES

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 21ST @ 1:00PM ET

Safe Reporting Saves Lives

Recommendations for Reporting on Suicide

Suicide is one of the most challenging topics for broadcasters to report on or discuss on air. But safe reporting can save lives. This presentation from the Michigan Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention gives research-based recommendations for broadcasters and journalists to report on suicide and incidents of suicide in the headlines.

This webinar is provided as a complimentary member service to KBA member stations. Please use code: NASBA2023

THIS WEEKS MEMBER PIC

CMA NOMINEE (AGAIN)

Congratulations to Officer Don and DeAnn, mornings on WBUL 98.1 in Lexington, for being named a CMA nominee for Small Market Broadcast Personality of the Year. The duo has previously won 3 CMA's in the same category.

We want to promote YOU! Send us your staff additions, promotions and special events. Email Chris at chris@kba.org

RAB TRUST TOOL

Jack Myers publishes the Myers Report Survey of Advertisers. In a recent version of that study, they found that Trust was ranked as the number one attribute for clients when working with salespeople. Due to the importance of trust in building solid, long-lasting relationships with clients, we created an acronym and a new RAB tool for the word trust.

T - Transparency – your clients and prospects deserve the straight story, no spin.

Things change, mistakes happen, and sometimes with the best intentions, strategies fail to deliver. When they do, don't sugar-coat it or try and spin it in a favorable light. Tell the truth, even the ugly truth, and work with the client to make the appropriate adjustments.

R - Responsibility – behavior, not words, mean the most.

Take responsibility for your actions. This can be as simple as showing up for appointments on time or making calls when you said you would call to more complex follow-up on campaign attribution, recaps, etc. If you commit, take responsibility for it and follow through. When mistakes happen, and they will admit them immediately and take action to create solutions.

U - Understand – It's our job to understand our clients and prospects.

Running a business today is more complex than it ever has been. The more you can demonstrate that you understand your client's unique challenges, the more likely they will be to buy from you. People buy from us because we understand their unique challenges and help them see opportunities.

S – Service - superior service demonstrates the importance of your clients.

You can never maintain a long-term competitive advantage based solely on product and price. What you do beyond the product - your service- will set you apart.

T - Truth – be truthful in all interactions.

Truth is the foundation of trust. In the other areas of trust building, there is likely some latitude and room for mistakes, but when it comes to truth, a single lie or misrepresentation can kill a relationship.

If you'd like this in a simple easy-to-read PDF, send an email here and ask for the RAB Trust Tool.

Jeff Schmidt is the SVP of Professional Development at the Radio Advertising Bureau. You can also connect with him by email JSchmidt@rab.com or on Twitter and LinkedIn.