JUNE 6, 2024

Last week, the KBA and 49 other state broadcast associations, including those representing broadcasters in the District of Columbia and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, sent a letter to Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Senate Minority Leaders Chuck Schumer and Mitch McConnell in support of the “Broadcast VOICES Act.”

The Broadcast Varied Ownership Incentives for Community Expanded Service (VOICES) Act, introduced by Democratic lawmakers last month, would provide a tax incentive to those who sell a majority interest in a radio or TV station to underrepresented broadcasters.

“Our strength is in our ability to cover diverse community experiences and tell stories from an authentic perspective,” the broadcast associations wrote in the letter. “The tax certificate program will help us build a local media landscape that reflects our communities on the air, both in the control booth and boardroom.”

Similar legislation was in existence from 1978 to 1995 called the Minority Tax Certificate program. During that time, TV and radio broadcast station ownership by people of color increased by more than 550%, according to the joint letter.

“Fast forward to 2024, diverse ownership in our industry has drastically changed not due to lack of effort or interest, but due to lack of access to capital.”

The broadcast associationssaid, at present, women make up less than 6% of broadcast TV station owners and people of color make up less than 3%. When it comes to broadcast radio station owners, women make up around 7% of owners and people of color make up less than 3%.

“The Broadcast VOICES Act will help with building a pipeline for a new generation of broadcast station owners that is inclusive of women, people of color and other underrepresented individuals.”

The Tony Turner Golf Classic will be held on Friday at Stonecrest Golf Course in Prestonsburg. The event supports the Tony Tuner Memorial Scholarship Fund. Since its inception in 2003, the fund has awarded 48 scholarships to Eastern Kentucky High School Seniors, totaling $61,000.

2024 scholarship recipients:

Savannah Young – Oneida Baptist

Rebekah McAuley – Letcher County Central 

Hannah Grace Piedad – Johnson Central 

Mackena Haven Sutherland – Knox Central

The scholarship was created in memory of WYMT’s longtime news anchor and station manager, Tony Turner, who died in a car accident in 2002.

Anyone wishing to contribute can contact the Blue Grass Community Foundation at (859) 225-3343 or CLICK HERE and type in Tony Turner Memorial Broadcast.

Prospecting, Propensity, and Predisposition, aka The Three P's, have significant influence over broadcast revenue outcomes, either catapulting you beyond projected gains or creating challenges to surpassing your budget goals. As seasoned and professional sellers and managers, it's vital to uphold a dedicated commitment to the fundamental purpose of our profession. Each day, our focus must be on a singular mission: assisting people and bringing opportunities for success to their business. Winning in sales requires moving prospects and clients towards closing a deal from the outset of every interaction and consistently highlighting the unique value our audience brings to advertisers. A strategic approach to our cold calls and attempts to upsell existing clients affords us a distinct advantage over competitors. We hope you will join us as we delve deeper into these strategies and more!

The University of Kentucky Scripps Howard First Amendment Center is accepting nominations for its James Madison Award, which honors a Kentuckian who is a champion of the First Amendment. The center, in the College of Communication and Information’s School of Journalism and Media, is accepting nominations to recognize those whose contributions protect or expand First Amendment freedoms.

The nominator must submit a letter identifying the nominee, listing the nominee’s address, phone number and position and explain why the nominee would be a worthy recipient. The letter should detail the specific efforts taken on behalf of First Amendment rights and should discuss obstacles and difficulties as well as the impact of the nominee’s efforts. 

The James Madison Award recognizes someone who has worked in one or more of these areas: open government and open records; promotion of the watchdog role of the press; defense against government or private censorship; or robust debate in the marketplace of ideas.

Nominees must have significant ties to Kentucky and their efforts must have resulted in the preservation or expansion of freedom of the press and/or freedom of speech. Dedication to the First Amendment principle of free expression is not accomplished in a day’s work but rather a lifetime. Thus, the award recognizes a long-term commitment to such ideals.

Honorees do not have to be journalists. Nominees may include, for example, educators, lawyers, judges, scholars, librarians, students or ordinary citizens. The most deserving recipient will be someone who has made a significant contribution regardless of how much public attention it has received. 

Send nomination letters via email to Kathryn Montalbano, Coordinator, Scripps Howard First Amendment Center, at kathryn.montalbano@uky.edu, by Friday, August 23, 2024.

The 71st WHAS Crusade for Children concluded this past Sunday with a big celebration and a final total exceeding 5.7 million dollars.

Since 1954, the WHAS Crusade for Children has raised more than $216 million. 100 percent of those donations have been returned to the community in the form of grants to schools, hospitals and agencies that make life better for children with special needs.

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

CAN YOU READ PEOPLE?

Intuition, gut instinct, whatever the label, having the ability to read people is a critical component to building empathy and understanding in the sales process.  At the RAB, we teach that high-performance sellers have three common traits:

1. Empathy
2. Expertise
3. Problem-Solving Skills

Our success in sales, and likely in life, depends on our ability to understand people.  People buy from us because we understand them, not because we make them understand us.  Having the ability to read people and read the room are skills you can develop.  True, some are naturally better at this than others; in my experience, women, in particular, are naturally gifted in this area, so they tend to connect on deeper levels with clients.  Men must work harder at developing the skill, but it is a skill that anyone can develop.

In a recent blog by sales and leadership trainer Steve Keating,  he shares several ways to enhance your ability to read people:

• Observe body language. Pay attention to gestures, facial expressions, posture, and eye movements. 
• Listen actively. Focus not only on what someone says but also on how they say it. Tone of voice, speed of speech, and emphasis can convey underlying emotions and attitudes.
• Notice patterns. Look for consistent behaviors or reactions across different situations. These patterns can reveal someone’s habitual responses and personality traits.
• Consider context. Understand the context in which the person is communicating. Cultural norms, environment, and past experiences can influence behavior and communication style.
• Pay attention to non-verbal cues. In addition to body language, consider other non-verbal cues such as breathing rate, sweating, and fidgeting. 
• Empathize. Try to put yourself in the other person’s shoes and imagine how they might be feeling or thinking. Empathy can help you better understand their perspective and motivations.
• Ask open-ended questions. Encourage the person to share more about themselves and their experiences. Open-ended questions prompt deeper reflection and reveal more about their thoughts and feelings.
• Trust your instincts. Intuition can be a powerful tool in reading people. If something feels off or inconsistent, don’t ignore it. 
• Be mindful of biases. Be aware of your own biases and preconceptions, which can influence how you interpret someone’s behavior. Try to approach each interaction with an open mind and without judgment.
• Seek clarification. If you’re unsure about someone’s intentions or emotions, don’t hesitate to ask for clarification. Direct communication can help resolve misunderstandings and deepen your understanding of the other person.

The more you can empathize and understand your clients' challenges, the better you will be able to provide solutions that not only solve their challenges but also present them in a way that resonates with them and builds trust and confidence.

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.

Your active KBA membership entitles you to complimentary access to RAB's online certifications.

AUGUST 15, 2024

9:00am - KBA Board of Directors Meeting - Louisville, KY

SEPTEMBER 29-30, 2024

KBA Annual Conference - Central Bank Center in Lexington

NOVEMBER 21, 2024

9:00am - KBA Board of Directors Meeting - Bowling Green, KY

*All times shown are Eastern

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