Awards for Excellence

Hello Wisconsin Broadcasters,

On behalf of your WBA Awards Committee, we hope you had a great summer and have been documenting and saving your potential entries for this year’s contest. You are a part of the largest state broadcaster awards program in the nation, and we can’t wait to see what you have to showcase!

Data continues to show that those who submit to our contest are competing to win big. For groups and clusters, now is the time to look at your station or cluster strengths and begin to map out a winning plan for what fits you best and gives you the best chances of placing well. Are you seeking awards for individuals or for your station? Is your group spreading out entries throughout, or do you strategically rotate one station of emphasis to nab a News Operation or Station of the Year award?

Winners of the major “Of The Year” awards historically use these best practices:

• They decide early whether they are competing for an Operation of the Year, or a Station of the Year. By doing so, they more clearly define where their entries will count the most.
• They have a point person who is their keeper of entries – and ensures they are maximizing their entries to provide the most possible points for categories that lift their chances for an “Of The Year” title.
• They “Enter to win” by having two submissions for as many categories as possible. That guarantees them one point for participation, but could also create additional points if they place more than once in the category!

Remember – winning News Operation of the Year is NOT an automatic for winning Station of the Year. You can compete for one, the other, or both! Make sure your entry strategy best set you up for the larger award you value most.

Your WBA Awards Committee has met several times this year to ensure your feedback is heard and items are addressed and improved. A few items we would like you to be aware of are:

• We’ve added new award categories for podcasts in both radio divisions.
• We’ve updated the descriptions of several digital categories to help ensure entries are of similar formats.
• Time limits have been increased for promotional and commercial categories.

Speaking of time limits – that continues to be the largest share of disqualifications. Please make sure the FILES you submit for entry have a TRT that fits within the rules for that entry. The next-highest DQ item is shared between:

• Items submitted that are not for the entry you are submitting, or
• Including items that are NOT asked for (no links allowed in a pdf. Some awards do not allow a pdf at all.)

Finally, we’d like to recognize the committee members involved in planning the program and putting on the show. No one is afraid to speak their mind. They all contribute and do great work on behalf of our industry and the Awards Gala.

Terry Bell, Civic Media
Nancy Douglass, WLKG, Lake Geneva
Jill Genter, WKOW-TV, Madison
Heather Reese, PBS Wisconsin
Lindsay Wood Davis, Esteemed Chair Emeritus

We also welcome Anne Paape to our committee this year, and we thank Betsy Keefe for her time with us. If you have questions or comment about the awards, feel free to reach out to any of us. Your feedback is valuable.

We’re counting down the months and look forward to seeing all of you again for the big bash at the Madison Marriott West on May 2, 2026!

Sincerely,

Lynn Bieritz & Tom Swigert
WBA Awards Committee Co-Chairs