President’s Column

In the News

I hope you all had a safe and joyous holiday season!  And….I’d like to extend very special thank you to those of you who made year-end donations to your WBA Foundation!

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As a follow up to the article on the front page – we’re so excited about the new WBA Hall of Fame promotional spots! The idea stemmed from WBA Hall of Famer and WBA Foundation Board Member Bruce Grassman during the WBA/WBA Foundation Joint Board Meeting this past June. Bruce suggested we highlight the new home of the WBA’s Hall of Fame that we’re so proud of at the Milwaukee Hilton City Center and offer a means for Wisconsin’s Radio and TV stations to help promote the Hall of Fame throughout the state.  From there, discussion ensued and WBA Foundation Board Member Chuck Steinmetz graciously offered the services of his station to produce the spots.  Thank you to Bruce for a great idea and thank you to Chuck for giving us his On-Air Promotion Manager, Bill Chappie. I’m sure you’ll agree that Bill did a GREAT job for us!

While we anticipate stations being able to run these spots for years, we think the kick-off is most timely with the WBA’s Summer Conference taking place at the Milwaukee Hilton City Center this year where we will celebrate our Hall of Fame. NOTE: Airing these spots is completely voluntary (and this is NOT a part of the WBA’s NCSA/PEP program).   

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Also, as we welcome in 2018, I’d like to take this opportunity to highlight a few of our events and deadlines that will be coming up in the next two months. You’ll find more detailed explanations of these items within this issue of the Wisconsin Broadcaster:

  • WBA Awards For Excellence deadline – Wednesday, Jan. 10 at 11:59 p.m. CDT – Please don’t wait until the last minute to enter. Plan to get it out of the way sooner rather than later. You’ll be glad you did.
  • Make sure to join us for the WBA’s Social/Digital Media and Young Professionals Sessions “What Can You Do on Social Media” and “8 Reasons Why YOU are the Future of Broadcasting (And One Reason You Might Now Be) and the WBA Social Reception on Tuesday, Jan. 30 and our Winter Conference/ State Legislative Day on Wednesday, Jan. 31. We really NEED you – especially for the State Legislative visits and the reception.  
  • 31 is the registration deadline for the WBA’s upcoming DC Trip taking place Feb. 28 and March 1. I think you’ll agree that there will be no shortage of Federal/FCC-related issues in 2018. This trip always makes an impact on our members of Congress.   
  • Is there someone you’d like to nominate for the WBA Hall of Fame or Local Broadcast Legends? If so, don’t forget that the nomination deadline for both is Feb. 15.

Have I mentioned lately that it’s never boring at your WBA? 

So here’s to a happy, healthy, and I might add prosperous (as that certainly doesn’t hurt) 2018!

Thank you, as always, for your time & support.