Issue #222 | November 20, 2020  |  View online
The MAB NewBriefs will take a Thanksgiving break next week and resume publication December 4. The MAB Offices remain closed in accordance with recent MDHHS "Pause to Save Lives" mandates, however our staff will operate remotely during regular business hours. You can continue to reach us by email and phone from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Wednesday next week and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, beginning November 30. We wish you a Very Happy and Safe 2020 Thankgsiving! 

Highlights In This Issue:
More news below!
FEMA has Supplied the MAB with Face Masks for Michigan Broadcasters 
The Federal Emergency Agency (FEMA) has supplied the MAB a significant quantity of face masks for state broadcasters to be distributed to all radio and television stations. This is part of FEMA's effort to supply all essential communications workers with masks. If you are interested in receiving these cotton, reusable/washable masks for your employees, click here to request masks for your station.

LEGISLATIVE UPDATES
Goldsen: 'We Must Ensure NAB Continues to be an Effective Advocate in Washington'
By: Bruce Goldsen,
Member, NAB Radio Board
Honorary Member, MAB Board of Directors

It's been an extraordinarily difficult year for our industry and the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) is not immune to the challenges of the pandemic. As you know, NAB had to cancel our annual convention - the 2020 NAB Show - due to the pandemic. This had a significant impact on the organization's bottom line, accounting for the loss of 70% of operating revenue. And, unfortunately, the cost of protecting our business in Washington, D.C. has not decreased, and we anticipate the ongoing impact of COVID-19 on our conventions business. Read More

Congress Advances Bill Requiring Radio To Put Some EAS Alerts On Repeat
The lame duck session of Congress has delivered its first move that could directly impact radio. On a voice vote this week, the House passed the Reliable Emergency Alert Distribution Improvement Act or "READI Act" (H.R. 6096). It would, among other things, require radio and television stations to repeat alerts issued by the president, rather than limit them to a single airing, according to a report in InsideRadio.  Read More

FCC Asks SOCTUS to Restore Local Broadcast Ownership Deregulation
The Federal Communications Commission on Tuesday (11/17) weighed in with the Supreme Court in defense of its order deregulating local broadcast ownership and in opposition to a lower court's invalidation of that order, according to a report in Broadcastiing+Cable.  Read More

Two Trump Defamation Claims Dismissed Including Claim Against TV Station for Political Attack Ad - What is the Relevance for Broadcasters?
By: David Oxenford,
Wilkinson Barker Knauer LLP

In the last few days, two defamation cases filed against media companies by the Trump campaign have been dismissed - one on the merits and one by agreement of the parties.  This includes the suit filed by the campaign against Northland Television, the licensee of a rural Wisconsin television station. Read More



IN THE NEWS
Jeff Luckoff Joins Townsquare as Grand Rapids Market President
On November 16, Townsquare Media Inc. announced that former iHeartMedia Regional Vice President Jeff Luckoff will take over the role and responsibilities of Market President and Chief Revenue Officer for its Grand Rapids local media cluster.  Read More

Jaime McKibbin Passes Away Suddenly
Jamie McKibbin, co-owner and operator of McKibbin Media Group, Inc., licensee of WKHM-AM/FM and WIBM-AM (Jackson) and WCSR-AM/FM (Hillsdale), passed away suddenly November 16 as a result of a boating accident. Read More

Kaleidoscope's Mike Whorf Passes at 88
Michael Whorf, longtime radio host of the Peabody Award-winning WJR program Kaleidoscope, died in Detroit on Tuesday, November 10. Read More

Latino Public Broadcasting and WKAR Present New Digital Short Film Series 'Latinos Are Essential'
WKAR Public Media (East Lansing) is pleased to partner with Latino Public Broadcasting (LPB) on Latinos Are Essential, a campaign created to honor the work of the dedicated "essential workers" - health care providers, teachers, food service workers, retail clerks and others - who have kept our country going while caring for their own families. Read More

Entercom's WDZH Flips to Alternative
November 19 brought three format flips in the Detroit/Windsor market.  Following the switch of CIMX-FM's from alternative rock to country, Entercom has flipped WDZH-FM (Detroit) from soft adult contemporary to alternative as ALT 98.7, Detroit's new alternative. Read More

YOUR MAB
Mark Your Calendars: The Next #MABshow is Going to be 'UN-CONVENTIONAL' March 8-11
In the world of COVID-19, we are flipping the #MABshow script and making for the 2021 Great Lakes Media Show and making it UN-CONVENTIONAL! Keep an eye on MABshow.com for important updates as plans for next year's virtual experience continue to unfold. We are excited to bring you a great line up of training sessions, a dynamic exhibit hall and unique online networking opportunities in this "un-conference."
Nemal Electronics, Shively Labs Join the  
'UN-CONVENTIONAL' #MABshow Exhibit Hall
Thank you Nemal Electronics and Shively Labs for becoming a part of the 'UN-CONVENTIONAL' 2021 Great Lakes Media Show Exhibit Hall this week. Learn more about these two great companies and watch the 2021 event come together at MABshow.com 

The 2020 BEA Contest Is Open; Entry Deadline is January 20
It's that time of year again! 2020 has definitely given us some interesting content, and we can't wait to see and hear what you've been able to produce over the past year! The 2020 BEA contest opened on November 9. Learn more at BroadcastExcellenceAwards.com.

MAB FOUNDATION 


The Clock is Ticking:
Award Entries Due December 8
There is just over a month left to submit your entries for the 2021 Michigan Student Broadcast Awards. The deadline is 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 8. Learn more at StudentBroadcastAwards.com

Become a Judge for the 2021 Michigan Student Broadcast Awards
We are looking for talented professionals from across Michigan to help judge this year's Michigan Student Broadcast Awards contest. Online judging takes place in December and January. This is a great way to help build the future of broadcast excellence! Interested? Contact Rachel Krause at krause@michmab.com.

We're Accepting Applications for the 2020/2021 Student Advisory Committee!

Applications must be received by Wednesday, November 25, 2020. Click here to learn more and download the application.

TRAINING & EDUCATION

The BEST Program
The BEST Program is designed for sellers who are new to broadcast.  We sell in a complex world that requires a unique set of skills that is different than virtually any other industry.  That's where The BEST Program comes in!  Each weekday for five weeks, your new sellers will receive a special email from LBS containing three videos for them to watch that day.  These videos are written, designed, and delivered by actual broadcast experts who know what your new sellers need to be successful in today's complex business environment.  In less than 30 minutes per day, your new sellers will have built up a solid foundation for a career in selling broadcast!

Ask LBS
It is common to run into difficult selling situations in the field.  Whether it's an overzealous gatekeeper, a client who thinks that they know more about advertising than you do, or just trying to find an angle to get a new prospect's attention, we are here to help!  Let us know what we can help with and we will get your question in front of our seasoned broadcast professionals who will get you a personalized response with real strategies for your specific situation!

The MAB is excited to share that Local Broadcast Sales (LBS) is available free to members in 2020.
PROGRAMMING
All Things Christmas Pandemic Edition 2020
By: Gary Berkowitz,
Berkowitz Broadcast Consulting

The crisp feel of fall is here and that can only mean one thing; the holidays are just around the corner. Many retail locations are already decorated for the season and soon, hundreds of radio stations across the US will switch to all Christmas programming. With that in mind, here are 10 programming ideas to consider that will truly make this, "The Most Wonderful Time of the Year" and get you monster ratings too. Read More 

DIGITAL / SOCIAL / WEB
5 Keys to Creating a Killer Podcast Opening: Lessons from Podcast Movement 2020
By: Seth Resler,
Jacobs Media Strategies

For the past several years, I have hosted the Podcast Makeover session at Podcast Movement, the world's largest podcasting conference. In this session, a panel of professional broadcasters and podcasters critique up-and-coming podcasters in a live "aircheck" session. This year, with the conference moving to a virtual format due to the pandemic, we changed the session up a bit. Read More

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CALENDAR
January 20
Entry Deadline: Broadcast Excellence Awards

March 8-11
'UN-CONVENTIONAL'
Great Lakes Media Show: MABshow.com

CAREERS

Reporter
WOOD-TV (Grand Rapids)
Posted: November 18, 2020

Video Host/
Content Coordinator
City of Farmington Hills
Posted: November 16, 2020

Basketball Play-by-Play Announcer
WMJZ-FM (Gaylord)
Posted: November 12, 2020

Share Your News!

We know your station is great. Now lets show all the other broadcasters across Michigan just how great you are. Send pictures, video and news releases about your station's accomplishments to be featured in the 
weekly MAB News Briefs


MAB FOUNDATION
The MAB Foundation's mission to encourage, support, and sponsor educational activities for students interested in broadcasting cannot be accomplished without supporters like you. The Foundation wouldn't exist without your continued support and interest in the mission. The Broadcasters must work together to sustain the future of this industry by encouraging the brightest, most creative and energetic students to choose broadcasting as a career. You can make a difference by MAKING A DONATION TODAY at MABFgive.com


THANK YOU 
Foundation Supporters

Kenneth Baynard
Dena Blair
Dan Boers
Julie Brinks
Kristin Burns

Scott Clow
Rob David
Detroit Radio 
Advertising Group
Marla Drutz
Susanne Elkins
Rebecca Falk
Bruce & Sue Goldsen
Colleen Grant
Tom Hahn
Wendy Hart
Bill Keith
Dan Kelley
Dick Kernen
Julie Koehn
Fred Jacobs
Paul Jacobs
Mark Libke
Jim Lutton
Pam Manor
Stephen A. Marks
Janet Mason
John E. Fetzer Memorial Trust
Christopher Meller
Dr. Peter Orlik
Robert F. Ottaway
David Oxenford
Lawrence Patrick
Jam Sardar
AnnMarie Scaramuzzino
Stephen Schram
Dirk Spillemaeckers
Jason Springer

Rick Sykes
Peter Tanz
Jacquelen Timm
Denise Weston
Karole White
Jon Whiting
Jennifer Williams
Follow the MAB Foundation on Social Media!

Support the MAB Foundation, and stay in touch about upcoming events, awards programs, scholarships and more, by following the MAB Foundation on our social media pages!

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Thanks for the Support of Our Associate Members!

Michigan Association of Broadcasters | 517-484-7444 | mab@michmab.com | MichMAB.com
820 N. Capitol Ave. | Lansing, MI 48906