Issue No. 250 | April 16, 2021 | View Online
Do you know someone who deserves to be in the Michigan Broadcasting Hall of Fame or is worthy of an MAB Lifetime Achievement or Young Professional award? Nominate them before April 30. Learn more.
Upcoming Events

April 28 | 12:00 p.m.
Free Webinar: Are Long-Term Advertising Contracts Possible in Today's World? with Paul Weyland (Register Now)

April 29-30
MAB State Capitol Day

April 30
Nomination Deadline: Hall of Fame, Lifetime Achievement and Young Professional awards. (Learn More)

May 20 | 12:00 p.m.
Free Webinar: Covering Law Enforcement: Being Fair and Holding Accountability with Kevin Benz (Register Now)
MAB State Capitol Day: April 29- 30
Take a day to make virtual visits with your state legislators. It's easy. Just register for the free MAB State Capitol Advocacy Day and MAB does the rest. You will be paired with a couple of other broadcasters from your area. MAB will prepare the issue papers and a report on the economic impact of Michigan's Broadcasters on the state. We set the Zoom meetings for you. Read More
LEGISLATIVE UPDATES
NAB's Smith tells Senate: 'Americans Turn to Their Local Broadcasters First for the Most Trusted and Reliable Information'
NAB President and CEO Gordon Smith testified on Thursday (4/15) before the Senate Commerce Committee's Subcommittee on Communications, Media, and Broadband to promote broadcasting as the best investment for the Administration's vaccine-promoting advertising message, which is backed by over $1 billion in COVID-19 aid funding. Read More
Closing Out the Incentive Auction and TV Repack – FCC Reminds Broadcasters of End Dates for Submitting Invoices for Repacking Expenses
By: David Oxenford, Wilkinson Barker Knauer LLP
The Commission’s staff last week issued a Public Notice reminding broadcasters that the reimbursement program for those broadcasters displaced by the repacking of the television band after the incentive auction is coming to an end. Read More
ENGINEERING & EAS
Protect Your Station from Random FCC Inspections
You say they don't do that anymore! Not true, they do. It's easier than ever before. With so much of our business activities available in our public file and on electronic forms at the FCC, they can easily inspect a station without ever coming to your door. Additionally they still investigate complaints. Read More
IN THE NEWS
Former WXYZ Anchor Diana Lewis Honored by Detroit Urban League
On April 8, The Urban League of Detroit & Southeastern Michigan (ULDSEM) virtually held its 42nd Annual Salute to Distinguished Warriors Event. This annual event, which honors the legacy and impact of individuals that have contributed immeasurably in the areas of human and civil rights. Among the honorees is retired WXYZ-TV news anchor Diana Lewis. Read More
Paul Jacobs to Receive MSU Outstanding Alumni Award
Michigan State University’s school of Communication, Arts and Sciences has announced Paul Jacobs, Vice President/General Manager of Jacobs Media and President of jācapps is a recipient of its Outstanding Alumni Award. The announcement was made by Dean Prabu David on behalf of the department’s Alumni Board. Read More
Timothy Nicholson Elected Chair Of Detroit Public TV’s Board Of Trustees
Detroit Public TV’s (DPTV) Board of Trustees has elected as its new chair Timothy Nicholson, the chief operating officer of PVS Chemicals, Inc. He replaces Hannan Lis, principal and chief operating officer of The WW Group, Inc., who served two years and will remain on the board as a trustee. Read More
WDIV Presents ‘Coronavirus Crisis: The Vaccines’
On April 14, WDIV-TV (Detroit) presented a live, hour-long special called “Coronavirus Crisis: The Vaccines.” The hour-long primetime special was hosted by anchors Devin Scillian and Kimberly Gill along with the station's Good Health Medical Expert Dr. Frank McGeorge. Read More
Audacy Study Finds Radio, TV News Sway Those Who Are Hesitant To Get COVID-19 Vaccine
Audio has the power to sway those reluctant to get a COVID-19 vaccine, followed closely by TV news, according to a new survey from Audacy (formerly Entercom). Results from the radio company’s Vaccine Hesitancy Custom Survey show that audio is the most trusted source of information about the COVID vaccination (46%), just ahead of TV news shows (42%). Read More
Specs Howard School of Media Arts in Transition
The Detroit Free Press reports that The Specs Howard School of Media Arts, responsible for the careers of thousands of radio and TV professionals in Michigan and beyond, is poised for a major transition. The paper reports that the 51-year-old broadcasting school is in talks with "another highly regarded school" to absorb the Specs Howard name and curriculum, the daughter of the school's founder said last Friday (4/9). Read More
WCFX Sold to Black Diamond
In an application filed with the FCC on April 9, Traverse City-based Black Diamond Broadcast Group is acquiring Grenax Broadcasting's WCFX-FM (Clare/Mt. Pleasant). Black Diamond Broadcasting, owned by life-long Michigan residents and long-time broadcasters Mike Chires and Norm McKee, own and operate radio stations throughout central and northern Michigan, including Houghton Lake based 98.5 WUPS, Traverse City based Rock 105 & 95.5, 98.1 & 95.3 Classic Rock-The Bear and 102.9 Big Country.  Read More
TRAINING & EDUCATION
FREE WEBINAR: Are Long-Term Advertising Contracts Possible in Today's World?
with Paul Weyland, LBS Broadcast Selling Expert

Wednesday, April 28, 2021 | 12:00 – 1:00 p.m.
YES! YES! YES! When you establish meaningful local-direct professional relationships, you ultimately increase your contract selling skills while keeping customers for life. We'll discuss how to improve your account list value with passionate, loyal clients who will refer other businesses to you. Help your clients to spend a larger share of their budget with you now, establishing trust in your range of services and abilities. We'll also discuss setting up client meetings and keeping control of the discussion. As you go from business to business, you will find "it's the best of times or the worst of times," in other words, it's the perfect time to introduce long-term rock-solid agreements to your clients. 
FREE WEBINAR: Covering Law Enforcement:
Being Fair and Holding Accountability
with Kevin Benz, KevinBenz.News

Thursday, May 20, 2021 | 12:00 – 1:00 p.m.
Law Enforcement dominates the day-to-day work of journalists and we must remember there is no more powerful government agency in the daily life of our audience. It is journalism’s highest obligation to hold law enforcement accountable for the enormous power society gives them. We must be fair. We must be courageous. We must be independent.

Ask LBS

It is common to run into difficult selling situations in the field.  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 BEST Program

The BEST Program is designed for sellers who are new to broadcast. Each weekday for 5 weeks, you will receive a special email containing 3 videos. In less than 30 minutes per day, your new sellers will have built up a solid foundation for a career in selling broadcast!
Sales Ideas

Sometimes we just need a creative boost or an idea to take to a prospect tomorrow – or even today! The list contains 99 of the hundreds you can find on the site! Need a creative boost or some fresh ideas? This section of LBS is loaded with them!
FREE CALL: Sales & Leadership Helpline
For the next three months we are offering this free service to help our members get their station back on track after the long COVID year. Call 972-522-8570 during business hours Monday through Friday. Your call will be answered in 24 hours. Take advantage of this great service while we are offering it.
MAB FOUNDATION
2021 Scholarship Winners Announced

The MAB Foundation awarded more than $25,000 in scholarships to students across the state who are enrolled in broadcast and media programs. See the fill list of this year's winners at MichMAB.com/MABF/Scholarships.
TV News Reporter
WWTV/WFQX
(Cadillac)
Posted: April 15, 2021

Manager of
Alternative Media
Black Diamond Broadcasting
(Traverse City) 
Posted: April 14, 2021

Local Sales Manager
WUPS/WTWS/
WMRX/WMPX
(Midland/Mt. Pleasant)
Posted: April 15, 2021

Multimedia Journalist
WEYI/WSBF
(Flint)
Posted: April 9, 2021

DIGITAL / SOCIAL / WEB
3 Key Differences Between Your Radio Station’s Desktop Website and Mobile Website
By: Seth Resler, Jacobs Media Strategies
Sometimes, when listeners visit your radio station's website, they do so using desktop or laptop computers; sometimes they do so using mobile devices, like a phone or tablet. Do not treat these two groups of visitors the same. The key to creating a compelling web experience for visitors is to tailor it to them as much as possible. Read More