Issue #217 | October 16, 2020  |  View online
Highlights In This Issue:
More news below!
SAVE THE DATE: The Next #MABshow is Going to be 'UN-CONVENTIONAL' March 8-11
Mark your calendars now for the four-days of 2021 Great Lakes Media Show. In the world of COVID-19, we are flipping the #MABshow script 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."

The 2020 BEA Contest Opens November 9, Entries Due by 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 opens on November 9. Check out all the rules and how to enter at BroadcastExcellenceAwards.com.


LEGISLATIVE UPDATES
MIOSHA Issues COVID-19 Emergency Rules to Clarify Requirements for Employers
The Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) within the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) is one of the first state OSHA programs to promulgate rules which clarify the safety requirements employers must follow to protect their employees from COVID-19. Read More

SBA Issues Notice Regarding PPP Loans and Changes of Ownership
In a recently issued procedural notice, the Small Business Association ("SBA") addressed a lingering question of borrowers and lenders related to the Paycheck Protection Program ("PPP") process: What procedures are required for changes of ownership of an entity that has received PPP funds? Read More

Music in Podcasts - As Podcasts Shut Down Following Infringement Notices, Looking at the Required Music Rights
By: David Oxenford,
Wilkinson Barker Knauer LLP

The use of music has long been an issue for those looking to provide music-oriented podcasts to the public.  As we have written before (see, for example, our articles here and here), clearing rights to use music in podcasts is not as simple as signing up with ASCAP, BMI and SESAC (or even adding GMR or SoundExchange to the mix). Read More

Karole
Voter Registration and Safety
By: Karole L. White,
President/CEO, MAB

The FCC this week released its agenda for its October 27 open meeting.  At that meeting the FCC will consider a number of issues of relevance to broadcasters, including enhanced white space use in the TV band and an expansion of the requirement for audio description of video programming.  It also plans to adopt an order authorizing licensees of AM stations to voluntarily transition to all-digital AM operations. Read More

ENGINEERING & EAS
2020 ABIP Inspections Completed This Week
MAB ABIP inspector Doug Thompson (seen above) has completed his tour of stations across the state that began in August. The Alternative Broadcast Inspection Program (ABIP) is a unique partnership between the MAB and the FCC under which stations that participate can receive a three-year exemption from routine FCC inspections. Learn More



IN THE NEWS
Townsquare Raises Nearly $95K for Flint's Hurley Children's Hospital 
Townsquare Media radio stations in Flint raised $94,915 in its first annual 'Let's Make Miracles' Radiothon for Hurley Children's Hospital and the Children's Miracle Network.  The 2-day event was held October 8 and 9. Read More

Radio First, Port Huron Police Join Forces for 'Cops & Jocks Dinner'
On October 13, Radio First/Liggett Communication's Port Huron radio stations, together with the Port Huron Police Department, hosted the annual Cops & Jocks Spaghetti Dinner, a fundraiser that supports the local C.A.P.T.U.R.E. program. Read More

Murrow Award Winners Announced, 6 Michigan Stations Honored
The Radio Television Digital News Association (RTDNA) has announced the recipients of the 2020 RTDNA National and Regional  Edward R. Murrow Awards.  Six Michigan broadcasters were honored for their excellence this year.  Michigan Radio (Ann Arbor) received five awards, including one national award this year. Read More

Black Diamond Broadcasting Grows with WMRX/WMPX Purchase
On October 1, Black Diamond Broadcasting announced an agreement to acquire Midland, MI based radio stations WMRX-FM (Sunny 97.7 FM) and WMPX-AM/W299CK (The Highway 1490 AM/107.7 FM) and "Discover Michigan Magazine", from Steel Broadcasting. Read More

Art Vuolo, Jr. Profiled by Inside Michigan Football
On October 11, Inside Michigan Football (IMF) did a profile piece on "Radio's Best Friend," Michigan's own Art Vuolo, Jr.  The profile gives a good look at Art's 40+ year love affair with Michigan football and also a behind-the-scenes look at Art's basement studios and archives. Read More

MAB FOUNDATION 


The 2021 Student Awards Contest is Open

The MAB Foundation is pleased to present the
2021 Michigan Student Broadcast Awards
You can review the category list below, read
full category descriptions and the complete list of rules and enter at StudentBroadcastAwards.com

TRAINING & EDUCATION
Webinars are FREE to MAB members and all are archived for later viewing. Questions? Contact Jayne Hodak at 1-800-YOUR-MAB.
So ...What Does the
Election Mean?
with David Oxenford,
Wilkinson Barker Knauer LLP

Thursday, November 19, 2020
1:00 - 2:00 p.m.


Digital Clients
Digital Expert Greg Gibbons takes LIVE broadcaster questions! In this session: Can you elaborate on FaceBook ads a bit? What would you charge to create a sponsored post for a client? How often would you run a sponsored post and how long should a sponsored post run? How can we know if our digital pricing is fair? What is your opinion regarding stand-alone digital sales reps?

The BEST Program!
Designed as a new hire series, The BEST Program (Broadcast Essentials for Selling Today) is also quickly becoming popular with veteran sellers who want a refresher on their broadcast selling skills. Start the DAILY, five-week BEST Program on your time table! All you need to sign up is an LBS user name and password!

The MAB is excited to share that Local Broadcast Sales (LBS) is available free to members in 2020.
SALES
Help Your Clients Run The Gauntlet
By: Mark Levy,
Revenue Development Resources

As a broadcaster, you are already aware that this week was the start of the 4th Quarter "Gauntlet" for many of your local businesses. Amazon Prime Days launched October 13th. Black Friday is expected to have significantly less foot traffic but greatly increased online shopping. Immediately after that, local business will face Cyber Monday. Read More

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CALENDAR
October 28
EAS IPAWS Signing Certificate Expires

November 19
Free MAB Webinar: 
"So ... What Does the Election Mean?" with David Oxenford (Register Here)

CAREERS

Digital Sales Manager
Midwest Communications
(Lansing)
Posted: October 15, 2020

Full Time Editor
DPTV (Wixom)
Posted: October 15, 2020

WGVU Membership Coordinator
WGVU Public Media
(Grand Rapids)
Posted: October 14, 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