Nobody said there’d be math!! But, if you’re entering the WBA Awards, math is your best friend!
A few weeks ago, your Awards Committee held a live webinar where we answered questions, shared some insights, and highlighted a few common mistakes stations can, and should, avoid if you want to win that coveted Station of the Year or News Operation of the Year Awards.
First, though, you must decide how you want to use the Awards program to your station’s advantage! There’s both internal and external value to be had – from inspiring creativity, encouraging teamwork, and celebrating each other’s accomplishments, to promoting your success to both your listeners and your clients. Whether you’re entering for individual wins or going all in for SOTY… what’s your angle?
It’s simple, really. It’s about adding up the points. The more you enter, the more points you receive. The more points you receive, the better your chances at Station of the Year.
It can be the variables that can get in the way sometimes. It’s important to appoint an enthusiastic, invested, detail-oriented point person to lead the charge. Waiting until the last minute to begin entering can cause issues. Entries being even one-tenth of a second over or under the time requirements, or one minute late, can be disqualified. Not including attachments, where required, is another frequent problem. Don’t lose points because of the variables. Because, again, it’s all about adding up the points to win Station of the Year and News Operation of the year.
And then, the Awards Gala. It’s the incredible celebration of the thousands of hours your team has invested in your station, your audience, and your community. We gather to congratulate and commend our colleagues, as well as recognize the Best of the Best. We play a snippet of your winning entry as your walk to the podium – because you are an example of Excellence in Broadcasting. (Author’s opinion – it would be wonderful if we could keep the volume down during the snippets at the Gala. Many times, the audience cannot hear the snippets over the chatter, which is the entire reason why we are celebrating.)
Also, please know – the awards program is not a fundraiser. It is mostly self-sustaining, thanks to a bit of financial support from the WBA Board.
The secret is math. Add up the points. Enter as often as the rules allow. You all should have your awards brochure by now. Read it. Ask everyone to read it. Appoint your office Awards chairperson and start working on it today, if you haven’t already!
Add up the entries, subtract rule disqualifications, multiply the motivation, and divide the pride. See, it’s just a little math!
This article is just a fraction of the information you can find on the WBA website.
We encourage you to watch the webinar. You can find it here.
We encourage you to ask all the questions. Just email Kyle at kgeissler@wi-broadcasters.org.
We encourage you to send the brochure to everyone on your team. You can find it here.
The WBA Awards Gala will be held May 3, 2025, at the Madison Marriott West.
Well, that sums it up! We are looking forward to seeing you in May!
Nancy Douglass
WBA Awards Committee
WLKG, Lake Geneva
