KBA WEEKLY NEWSLETTER

APRIL 18, 2024

AM RADIO BILL MOVING!

US HOUSE TO HOLD HEARING ON AM RADIO ACT

One day after AM radio’s success on Capitol Hill received rousing applause at the NAB Show, the US House of Representatives is advancing the bipartisan legislative push to mandate AM in cars with an upcoming hearing, led by the House Energy and Commerce Committee.

The hearing, “Draft Legislation to Preserve Americans’ Access to AM Radio,” is scheduled for April 30 and will be led by Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) and Ranking Member Frank Pallone Jr. (D-NJ). The hearing aims to address concerns about automakers potentially omitting AM radio in new cars, particularly as these radios are crucial during emergencies when other communication networks may fail.

In a joint statement, Chair Rodgers and Ranking Member Pallone emphasized the importance of AM radio, saying, “Communities across the country, especially rural communities, rely on AM radio service for critical information. It plays an essential role during public emergencies when other alert systems that rely on the electric grid and cellphone networks don’t work, which is why it’s so alarming that some auto manufacturers are considering not installing AM radios in new cars. We look forward to working together to preserve Americans’ access to this vital source of information.”

The House version of the bill, HR 3413, has 245 total sponsors and is led by New Jersey Representative Josh Gottheimer. According to NAB President Curtis LeGeyt, the Senate version of the bill is almost to the magic, filibuster beating number of sixty sponsors, while only 48 have been formally announced so far.

LeGeyt, who has led the charge within the industry for the past year, commented, “NAB is deeply grateful to Chairwoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers and Ranking Member Frank Pallone for their continued leadership in safeguarding continued access to AM radio in new cars. With 82 million monthly listeners, AM radio is the backbone of the Emergency Alert System and serves as a trusted source of factual news and diverse programming in communities across the country.”

“Local broadcasters look forward to continue working with Chairwoman McMorris Rodgers, Ranking Member Pallone and all committee members to ensure this critical communications medium remains accessible to listeners across the country.”

Courtesy of RadioInk

DIFFICULT DECISION

2024 RADIO TALENT INSTITUTE POSTPONED

Due to unforeseeable circumstances, the RAB & KBA have collectively made the difficult decision to postpone this year’s KBA WKU Radio Talent Institute in Bowling Green.

Chris Winkle, President & CEO of the KBA noted, “The decision was not an easy one, but a necessary one. More often than not, adversity presents an opportunity for change, and change is nonnegotiable. We are grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with the RAB and we remain resilient and passionately dedicated to the mission of educating, mentoring and inspiring the next generation of broadcasters. It has been said that the future rewards those who press on, and thus we firmly press ahead to 2025 with a renewed spirit of determination and innovation."

RAB President and CEO Mike Hulvey added, “While we are disappointed by having to delay the KBA WKU Radio Talent Institute in 2024, the RAB remains fully committed to the program in 2025. Creating opportunities for the next generation of broadcasters in collaboration with our partners remains a very high priority of the RAB.”

NAB SHOW 2024

CONTINUING EDUCATION REIMBURSEMENTS

Pictured above (L-R): Colm Taylor, Bud Walters, Lynn Martin, Leah Martin, Chris Winkle and Dr. Chuck Anderson

Earlier this week broadcasters from all across the Country traveled to sunny Las Vegas for the 2024 NAB Show. Attendees experienced educational sessions, networking, special events, the latest in technology & innovation, industry updates and so much more.

The KBA is proud to offer up to a $1,000 continuing education reimbursement for active members who attended the NAB Show (limit one per full-power radio station, limit three per full-power television station. Reimbursable expenses include: registration, transportation, lodging and meals. To submit a continuing education reimbursement request, CLICK HERE to get started. Requests must be made using the online form.

DERBY PREVIEW

BROADCASTING LIVE FROM CHURCHILL DOWNS

Broadcasters from across Kentucky participated in the annual AT&T Morning Line from the Kentucky Derby Museum at Churchill Downs earlier this week. Special guests included: Governor Andy Beshear, Lt. Governor Jacqueline Coleman, Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg, Gene McLean from the Pressbox, Derby Festival CEO Matt Gibson and many more.

Special thanks to Valerie Moore for contributing most of the photos above.

THIRD THURSDAY WEBINAR

TODAY AT 1:00PM EASTERN

Breakthrough Sales:

Practical tips for creating a successful sales culture in your operation

Steve Wexler - Leadership Coach, WEXL Coaching & Development

We'll discuss a contemporary way of thinking about what business our clients actually think we’re in and how to make sure we’re speaking their language, not ours. We’ll even propose changing some of the words we use internally so we can build a more sales-oriented culture in our stations. We’ll also work on preparation for client meetings, focusing on the three powerful types of questions all AE’s should understand so they can uncover true customer needs. We'll wrap it up by revealing the “Top 10 Traits” of great salespeople.

Complimentary for KBA member stations. Use promo code: BeThere24

THIS WEEKS MEMBER PIC

AND WE'RE WALKING...

With over 2.5 million square feet to cover at the Las Vegas Convention Center, spotting a fellow KBA'er is often a rare treat. Pictured above is KBA President Chris Winkle catching up with board members Tom McMakin (center) and Roth Stratton (right).

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

IN-BOX DETOX

The notification showing how many unread emails can drive a person crazy. After an afternoon filled with meetings, you can turn on your computer, and there it is, that notification telling you how much you still need to do. And that’s just one of the many places demanding your attention. It’s incredible the mental toll that a simple badge on your inbox icon can create. I’ve even worked with people who have thousands of unread emails. I notice this when doing screen-sharing meetings.

In Christina Randle’s book Getting It Together, she lays out her proprietary system for moving from survival mode to thriving. She calls it The Effective Edge. Our lives are filled with clutter, interruptions, and important information to which we must pay attention. Technology, thought to help, has increased the information we are bombarded with. According to Randle, getting The Effective Edge™ involves:

E – Emptying – Your inbox, voicemail, and desktop are all collection points that can gather information and clutter. Randle suggests that we empty daily.

D – Deciding – In order to empty you need the ability to make quick decisions. Randle says the process is the 4 Ds:

Delete
Do
Delegate
Defer

G – Grouping – Grouping tasks that are similar allows you to handle them more quickly.

E – Executing – Randle suggests we all want to spend more time accomplishing things. To do this, we must ensure a seamless system of reducing the clutter, making decisions and grouping.

Admittedly, this all sounds easy, and everyone is different. The key is to find a system that works for you. I try to end every day with zero emails in my inbox. Let’s just say that some days are better than others. As you continue down your journey of minimizing distractions and maximizing productivity, you might consider starting first with your email inbox and your voicemail. Imagine how great it would be to end your day with no voicemail to listen to or emails yet to be read. All were deleted, done, delegated, or filed for future action.

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.