The Freedom of Information Act would be extended to both the governor and Legislature, under a new transparency agenda released Monday (3/15) by Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson. The plan also calls for elected officials would have to wait two years before working as a lobbyist, according to a report in Gongwer. Read More

Last week, the FCC’s Enforcement Bureau issued an Advisory reminding broadcasters about their obligation to provide sponsorship identification information to their audiences whenever they receive something of value in exchange for airing any programming. The Enforcement Bureau’s advisory was quite concise, basically just reminding broadcasters of their sponsorship identification obligations. But the FCC also highlighted two other issues: Read More

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has declared March 21-27 to be Michigan's Severe Weather Awareness Week. Broadcasters and Emergency Management partners statewide are encouraging Michiganders to conduct a statewide tornado drill at 1 p.m. ET Wednesday, March 24. Read More

Following false weather service alerts that went out this month across Kansas and Missouri warning of imminent danger from a tornado that did not exist, Federal Communications Commission Acting Chair Jessica Rosenworcel said Wednesday (3/17) that a system needs to be created to track false emergency alerts so lessons can be learned from the errors, according to a report in InsideRadio. Read More

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 a note to the MAB, Art Vuolo wants to thank everyone who prayed for his recent successful hospitalization for, what turned out to be serious, gallbladder surgery. It should have been routine, but it wasn’t. Doctors called the condition of his gallbladder "rotten." The successful operation was March 9. However, while in Ascension Hospital in Novi, MI, there was a strange series of events that Art has shared with the MAB. Its a story one cannot make up. Read More

Industry veteran Brent Alberts has been appointed Brand Manager of Townsquare Media's WMMQ-FM (Lansing). Alberts has been Brand Manager of sister stations WJIM-AM and WVFN-AM and continues with those duties. Alberts will also host the station's afternoon drive slot as well as continuing to host the station's "All Request Saturday Night," which he has hosted since 2014. Read More

Two applications for assignment of Michigan licenses were filed recently with the FCC. In the first application, filed on March 5, Central Michigan University is selling FM translator W236BU to Black Diamond Broadcast Holdings. Read More

The Weyland S.O.S. summary proposal template is bullet-proof and field-tested by broadcasters and advertisers. The steps to conducting meetings with your clients are logical and insightful providing you confidence on every call. Make this session so you’ll be equipped to add long-term dollars to your bottom line. You’ll be exposed to the how-to path on creating meaningful presentations through your client’s eyes. And that is why Paul’s formula will become a welcome surprise to your clients and prospects.

Even in this most unusual time, the FCC has continued to enforce its EEO rules, reviewing a station’s compliance both in connection with its license renewal and through periodic audits.  Stations still need to engage in wide dissemination of information about job openings and engage in specified outreach activities designed to educate their communities about broadcast employment and to train employees for advancement in their broadcast careers, even if they have no job openings.

Urgent! Billions of dollars are flowing into Michigan. The pockets of many Michigan taxpayers will be full and the pent-up desire to shop for goods and services is being unleashed. You advertising clients may not have put this together. Be sure that they and you benefit from all this.

Opportunity is knocking and you must answer! You have a chance to instantly increase your sales if you will immediately begin to tell “the stimulus” story. Our clients are not aware of how much money is now available and you can be the one to help them get their share. This webinar will educate you on the story to tell and teach you how to deliver the message. For all broadcast sellers and managers.

Learn how to speak to you clients and future clients about the impact of the stimulus can have on their business. The average qualifying family of four will receive approximately $5,400.

This is one of those blogposts that you don't need until you need it, and when you do need it, you really need it, and by then it's often too late. So when you've finished reading this, consider taking some proactive preventative action. You've been warned. Disasters happen: Read More