Adults 25-54 is not a demo, it is afamily reunion, and why are buyerstargeting that demo anyways?The most targeted demographic in our business isAdults 25-54. That age group includes grandparents,parents, and children. It looks more like an Easter dinnerthan a potential customer base. Does a new 26-year-old mother have anything in common to a 54-year-old
grandfather? As sellers, we should question our buyers’ logic at targetingthe entire family with our customers’ valuable marketing dollars.
My good friend and Jim Doyle and Associates Executive Vice-President,Tom Ray, claims that on Jan. 1, 2019 every baby boomer aged out ofthat often-used A25-54 demographic. Tom said, “Boomers have moredisposable income than any other generation, as they have been ableto save over the years. It is estimated that the baby boomer consumercontrols 70 percent of all disposable income. That means that anyadvertiser whose product is a ‘want’ not a ‘need’ purchase should targetthe Boomer.”
I’m not suggesting that every client target Boomers, but targetingAdults 25-54 now eliminates this generation’s spending potential alltogether. Boomers represent 26 percent of the people in the U.S., but
hold 42 percent of the spendingpower. They have the desire towork later in their lives, somebecause they have to, but mostbecause they want to. They areprojected to live longer than any
other generation. Didyou know that one infour Boomers that owna home own more thanone property? They arelikely to hold leadershippositions in high payingfields. The majority ofthe Baby Boomerpopulation is female,who will outlive theirmale counterparts.
At the NAB SmallMarket TelevisionExchange, JDA’s TomRay suggested an “addten” initiative. His
mission was to add 10 years to every Adult 25-54 proposal request andmake it Adults 25-64 to become more in line with today’s consumer.Let’s face it, the advertising buyer (whether he or she is seasoned ornew) suggests your sales staff put together something targeting Adults25-54 because he or she is told to do it. “It is the way we have alwaysdone it.” The next time it happens, your sales professional shouldchallenge the buyer on their logic of missing today’s consumer with themost power.
And for goodness sake, only using the Adult 25-54 demo when sellingto local direct clients is an opportunity missed, not only your sellers, butmore importantly for the client that depends on customers with moneycoming through their doors or visiting their website.
M A Y / J U N E 2 0 1 9
Michelle Vetterkind with FCC Chair Ajit Pai
SAE meeting with Commissioner Starks
P R E S I D E N T ’ S C O L U M N
Having just returnedfrom the NAB Show inLas Vegas, I can tellyou without a doubtthat there’s a lot ofenthusiasm for thefuture ofbroadcasting!
Technology is just a part of it. Thepeople involved in broadcasting’sfuture are motivated and inspiring.
As part of the National Alliance ofState Broadcasters Associations Continued on page 2>
NAB Show offers view of broadcasting’s future
MichelleVetterkind,CAEWBA President and CEO
Steve LavinWBA Chair
Challenge the convention of targeting ‘Adults 25-54’C H A I R ’ S C O L U M N
(NASBA) we were also quitefortunate to be able to haveprivate meetings with FCCCommissioners Brendan Carrand Geoffrey Starks, as well asNAB President and CEO GordonSmith and theNABGovernmentRelations Team.NASBA has agreat working
42.0%
23.7%
21.6%
12.7%
Q1 Q1 Q1 Q1 Q1 Q1 Q1 Q1 Q1 Q1 Q1‘07 ’08 ‘09 ’10 ‘11 ’12 ‘13 ’14 ‘15 ’16 ‘17
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
Baby Boomer Spending PowerAmericans age 55 and older account for a major portion ofconsumer spending. Share of total spending by age group.
34 and under 35-44 45-54 55 and older
SOURCE: Federal Reserve Board: Bureau of Economic Analysis; Census Bureau;Moody’s Analytics George Petras, USA TODAY
C O N T E N T SVetterkind renews CAE credential . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Broadcasters participate in tornado warning tests . . . 3
Stations could face fines for not activating online public file . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Jowett Fellowship. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
WBA Summer Conference . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-7
Digital Column . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Wisconsin stations bring home 90 Eric Sevareid Awards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Keep your newsroom updated on Amber Alerts, other state-issued notifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Four to be honored as Local Broadcast Legends . . . . . . 8
Members in the Spotlight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-13
Wisconsin stations pick up 22 regional Murrow awards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Young Professionals Column . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Madison station adds Justice Network, Court TV . . . . 14
Wright, Koser join Legacy Club . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Your Right to Know: Body cam bill balances privacy,openness. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Educator’s Column . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
WBA’s 2019 Doug Chickering WIAA Sports Workshop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
10 new graduates finish Walker Broadcast management Institute . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Four to be inducted into WBA Hall of Fame. . . . . . . . . 18
Calendar of Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
2 W i s c o n s i n B r o a d c a s t e r | wi-broadcasters.org
Wisconsin Broadcasters Association Officers & Board of Directors
OFFICERS 2018-2019Chair of the BoardSteve Lavin WBAY-TV, Green BayVice Chair - Radio, Chair ElectChris Bernier Radio Plus, Marinette/Fond du LacVice Chair - TelevisionDon Vesely WMTV-TV, MadisonTreasurerLupita Montoto La Movida WLMV Radio,MadisonSecretaryJan Wade WISN-TV, MilwaukeeImmediate Past ChairSteve WexlerGood Karma Brands, Milwaukee
BOARD OF DIRECTORSJudson Beck WLAX-TV/WEUX-TV, La Crosse/Eau Claire
Keith Bratel iHeart Media, Madison
Juli Buehler WLUK-TV, Green Bay
Brian Burns Morgan Murphy Media, Madison
Paul Cameron The Family Radio Network, Appleton
Herb Cody QueenB Radio, Platteville
Dave Edwards WUWM-FM, Milwaukee Public Radio, Milwaukee
Anna Engelhart WKOW-TV, Madison
Aleese Fielder NRG Media-Wausau/Stevens Point, Plover
JT Koser Koser Radio Group, Rice Lake/Hayward
Mike Smith WFRV-TV, Green Bay
Mark Strachota Weigel Broadcasting Co.,Milwaukee
Chuck Sullivan Entercom Communications, HalesCorners
Jeff Welton Nautel, Hackett’s Cove, Nova Scotia
Michael Wright Midwest Communications, Green Bay/Wausau
Ex Officio - NAB Board Tom Walker Mid-West Family Broadcasting, Madison
WBA TeamPresident & CEOMichelle Vetterkind, CAE [email protected]
Vice President - AdministrationLinda Baun [email protected]
NCSA/PEP Coordinator Liz [email protected]
Director of Operations and Public AffairsKyle Geissler [email protected]
WBA Board minutes are always available formembers. Please email Linda Baun at
[email protected] to request a copy.
Wisconsin Broadcasters Association 44 E. Mifflin Street, Suite 900
Madison, WI 53703Phone Toll Free (800) 236-1922wi-broadcasters.org
P R E S I D E N T ’ S C O L U M N Continued from page 1
relationship and we always learn a lot from thesegatherings. If you haven’t yet gone to an NABShow, it’s a great way to connect with otherbroadcasters and to be inspired for the future ofYOUR business.
PPT Coalition meets with Gov. Ever’steam
As you know, I’ve been joining meetings withmembers of the Coalition to Repeal Wisconsin’sPersonal Property Tax as they meet with stateelected officials. The broad coalition of 51organizations, including your WBA, recently metwith Gov. Ever’s staff about additional reform orrepeal of the personal property tax during thislegislative session.
Honoring the Greats!We are proud to announce the 2019 Class of theWisconsin Broadcasters Association Hall of Fame:
Clif GrothDean MaytagDavid L. Nelson (1921-2017)Fannie Mason Steve (1877-1969)
We are also recognizing four Local BroadcastLegends:
Jerry BurkeDuff DamosGlen MobergMarshall Shapiro (1938-2012)
Both groups will be recognized June 13 at theWBA Summer Conference to be held this year atthe beautiful Osthoff Resort in Elkhart Lake. TheLocal Broadcast Legends will be honored at theluncheon and the Hall of Fame inductees will behonored at the Hall of Fame dinner that night.Read more about all of them on pages 8 and 18.
Registration open for Summer ConferenceYou can sign up now to attend the WBASummer Conference held June 12-13 at theOsthoff Resort, one of our member’s favoriteconference locations. The agenda of speakers and the agendas for the Engineering Day, theMedia Technology Institute, and the YoungProfessional’s Toolbox are set. Check out thedetails on pages 4-7.
Registration is also open for the annual golftournament which will be held June 12 at QuitQui Oc Golf Club.
There will, of course, also be a job fair on June 12.Stations can register at the WBA website. Jobseekers are welcome to come at no cost.
Sports Workshop coming to Miller ParkOur WBA Doug Chickering WIAA SportsWorkshop is coming back to Miller Parkthis summer! Mark your calendars for Wednesday,July 24. The sessions start at 10 a.m. and, ofcourse, we won’t leave before watching a game!The Brewers will be hosting the Cincinnati Reds at 1:10 p.m. The workshop includes your ticket tothe game!
During the sessions we’ll hear from the WIAA,Brewers radio announcer Jeff Levering, andBrewers VP for Strategy and Analytics, MikeSchwartz. More information is on page 16.
As you’ll find in the rest of the newsletter, there’sa lot going on right now with Your WBA. Be sureto keep up with us on our website, social media,and our WBA app. We hope to see you at one ormore of our upcoming events!
Vetterkind renews CAE credentialWBA President and CEO Michelle Vetterkindhas earned renewal of her Certified AssociationExecutive (CAE) credential through theAmerican Society of Association Executives.The CAE credential is the marker of a committedassociation professional who has demonstrated the widerange of knowledge essential to manage an association intoday’s challenging environment. Vetterkind first earnedher CAE credential in 2000. Credentials must be renewedevery three years.
and a list of allthe winners in the July/August newsletter
Watch forphotos of the
Gala
Michelle Vetterkind at PPT meeting with Gov. Evers Team onFebruary 21.
Recipients of the fellowship can use the grant for professionaldevelopment in the areas of photography and videography. Applicantsmust specify how the funds will be used. Potential uses include but are notlimited to courses offered by the National Press Photographers Association,the Poynter Institute, or any accredited college or university. This fellowshipintends to award a total of up to $2,000 in grants annually to multiplerecipients to cover part or all of the recipients’ expenses.
Submission deadline is June 1. Apply at www.wbafoundation.org/scholarships-grants/
rick-jowett-fellowship
About Rick Jowett
Rick grew up in a media family. His grandfather was CEO of ForwardCommunications which owned several television stations throughout thecountry. His family was also involved in the print media, the WausauHerald. While in high school Rick began his career as a photographer
working for the Wausau Herald.
Rick Jowett completed his degree in journalism (UW-Madison) in the late 70s. Followinggraduation, Rick started his career in broadcasting as a still photographer at WMTV-TV, inMadison, Wisconsin. Rick began working with the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association in1985 as the Association’s event photographer. He served graciously and unconditionallyuntil his passing.
The Rick Jowett Fellowship was established in 2017 by the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association Foundation to support educationalopportunities for photographers and videographers who work in media in Wisconsin.
Jowett Fellowship supports training for photographers
W i s c o n s i n B r o a d c a s t e r | M a y / J u n e 2 0 1 9 3
Broadcasters participate intornado warning testsOn April 12 at 1:45 p.m. and 6:45 p.m., twostatewide tests of the Tornado Warning EAS codewere conducted in Wisconsin. The tests were originally scheduled for April 11, but needed to bepostponed for a day due to the threat of severe weather. Allmembers of the test team appreciated the stellar job done byWisconsin broadcasters of informing the public of the date change.
The tests were originated independently by the five NationalWeather Service (NWS) offices that serve Wisconsin, and those NWSoffices did a good job of issuing the tests at the exact same time in allareas leading to well synchronized tests statewide. Although thetests were largely successful, there were some issues of human errorboth at NWS and broadcast stations. In addition, there were someissues of automated systems relaying the tests in a manner thatmade the tests look like real alerts, both at broadcast stations and bycounty emergency management social media applications aroundthe state. As our processes and systems get more numerous andcomplicated these days, the test team will be issuing a reminder withnext year’s test promotion for all parties to increase their diligence inanalyzing the operation of their systems for unintended alertingduring the test.
This test day is another fine example of the close cooperationbetween your WBA and Wisconsin’s broadcasters, NWS, andWisconsin Emergency Management (WEM). WBA thanks allWisconsin broadcasters for your participation in not only airing thisyear’s tests, but in the time you devoted to promoting the tests in theweek leading up to test day and the huge effort to get the word outon the date change.
On a related note, the FCC recently released the results of theOctober 3, 2018 Nationwide EAS Test. Although numbers were notbroken out by state, these were the nationwide numbers for allreporting EAS Participants (radio, TV, and cable): 96 percentsuccessfully received the test, 92 percent successfully retransmittedthe test, and 96 percent reported no complications with the test.Transmission without complications was significantly improved overthe 2017 nationwide test results, while the other numbers remainedlargely the same. The FCC and FEMA have indicated their intent tocontinue these tests, with the next one to be issued in fall of 2019.
As of March 1, 2018,all radio andtelevision stationswere required totransition theirpublic inspection file to the FederalCommunicationsCommission’s (FCC)online public filesystem.(https://publicfiles.fcc.gov/)
However, despite the year-olddeadline, a substantialnumber of broadcasters havenot yet activated their onlinepublic file or have failed tokeep their public file up-to-date.
These stations are at risk ofsubstantial FCC fines. Whilethe FCC has emailed warningnotices to some stations, westrongly urge you not to waitfor an FCC notice. Stationsshould immediately confirmthat they are complying withthe FCC’s rules.
Ensuring that your station’sonline public file is online andcomplete takes on addedimportance as we enter thelicense renewal cycle.Renewal applications requirestations to either certify that
their public file has beencomplete and up-to-date atall times during the licenseterm or disclose violations. Inaddition to substantial fines,an incomplete online publicfile can lead to extensivedelays in the license renewalprocess.
Of particular concern is thefailure to upload the quarterlyissues/programs lists, whichdemonstrate how a stationhas addressed the needs andinterests of its community.These lists must be placed ineach station’s online publicfile on a quarterly basis, goingback to the start of thecurrent 8-year license term.Failure to comply can beextremely costly. The FCCrecently fined five radiostations $10,000 to $12,000each for lacking copies of theissues/programs lists in theironline public files. In additionto the issues/programs lists,stations should promptlyupload their annual EEOpublic file reports, children’stelevision reports, politicalbroadcasting information,and all other requiredmaterials.
If you have questions, pleasecontact your station’s legalcounsel or the WBA LegalHotline.
Stations could face fines for not activating onlinepublic file
4 W i s c o n s i n B r o a d c a s t e r | wi-broadcasters.org
OPTION 2:
8:40 a.m.–4:30 p.m. WBA Engineering Day Sessions Details below.
OPTION 1:
8 a.m. Golf Tournament (Preregistration required)Quit Qui Oc Golf Club, Elkhart LakeThe WBA Annual Golf Tournament is taking place June 12 at Quit QuiOc Golf Club in Elkhart Lake. Appropriate golf attire and soft spikeshoes only please. Shotgun start at 8 a.m.
GOLF HANDICAP: On the golf registration form please include yourUSGA or club handicap. If you don’t have an established handicap,please give your best estimate. The maximum handicap is 36 for menand 40 for women.
Registration deadline is May 25, 2019
OPTION 3:
10 a.m.–11 p.m.Conference Sessions
Wednesday, June 12 | Options
9 am. Network Security
If you are like many of us, it’schallenging to know what security measures will keep youahead of the hackers. During this presentation, you will learnthe latest threats on the horizon,what tools you should have to identify the threats, and how
to take the correct action to win the security fight.
9:45 a.m. ATSC 3.0 – Topics to Discuss withyour General Manager
EnensysWhat your GM needs to know about ATSC 3.0. Discussion will include PLPconfiguration for bits, resolution and FEC.Other topics will include MMTP/Routeselection and signaling
10:30 a.m. Raspberry PiTim Wright, Cumulus ChicagoCreative use of Raspberry Pi. Audienceinteraction encouraged
11:15 a.m. PodcastingFuturi
Noon Lunch
1:15 p.m. Emergency operations – Setting the tableMembers of the UW-Green Bay police dept.will facilitate an interactive scenario-basedemergency exercise.
3:15 p.m. Break
3:30 p.m Spectrum Repack – What we’ve learned
Kent, Rich and Patrick lead the discussion on what we’ve learned during the spectrum repack process. Included will be a discussion on the future of RFengineering talent
5:30 p.m. Exhibit Reception
7:30 p.m. Dinner
Mike Pape, RMMSolutions
JUNE 12-13, 2019Osthoff ResortELKHART LAKE | WISCONSIN
WBA Engineering Day | Wednesday, June 12 2019 Media Technology Institute(Lite)
Tuesday, June 11 OSTHOFF RESORT, ELKHART LAKE
9 a.m. Welcome WBA
9:15 a.m. Opening Activity Getting to Know You Bill Hubbard
9:30 a.m. The Business of Broadcasting Bill Hubbard
10 a.m. RF Technology Transmission –Components, FacilitiesJeff Welton
11 a.m. BREAK
11:15 a.m. Antenna Testing andMeasurementsRich Wood
Noon Lunch
1 p.m. RF Technology – Safety First Jeff Welton
2 p.m. Responsibilities of a Chief OperatorTim Laes, DE, Midwest Communications
3 p.m. Break
3:15 p.m. Data Network Technologyfor Broadcasters Mike Norton, Engineer, ECB
4:15 p.m. Wrap up, Feedback,Information for Engineering Daytomorrow
4:45 p.m. Adjourn
Underwriting for the Media Technology Instituteis provided by the Wisconsin BroadcastersAssociation and Midwest Communications.
KentAschenbrenner,Scripps Media
Rich Wood,ResonantResults,Repackprojectmanager
PatrickBurger,CumulusChicago
Register today at wi-broadcasters.org
Hotel reservations
are due by May 20
W i s c o n s i n B r o a d c a s t e r | M a y / J u n e 2 0 1 9 5
1:30 p.m.–2:45 p.m. Sessions Job/Career Fair
3 p.m.–4 p.m. Keeping up with EEO at the FCC With radio license renewal just over a year away, and TVa year behind that, broadcasters should be reviewingall their station operations to make sure that nothingwill slow the grant of their applications – and EEO ispart of the review. In this session, we will review theFCC's EEO rules, talk about some changes broughtabout by the new administration, and highlight someof the areas of potential concern. We will also talkabout what is behind the FCC’s current examination ofthe effectiveness of its EEO programs. Make sure yourstation stays out of trouble in your hiring practices bystaying on top of all of your EEO obligations.
4 p.m.–5:30 p.m. Legislative Update with the WBA Legislative Committee
5:30 p.m.–7:30 p.m. Exhibit Reception
7:30 p.m.–10 p.m. Dinner and Bonfire
Conference Sessions | Wednesday, June 12 8 a.m.–6:30 p.m.: Registration
10 a.m.–11 a.m. Sessions
OR: How to negotiate
As media sales people and managers, negotiation is a tool wesometimes overlook, even though we use it every day. Whatwe call negotiations can sometimes resemble haggling morethan textbook negotiation. Learn tried and true rules thatprofessional negotiators use. Whether negotiating a multi-million dollar deal, a hostage release, or a local media buy, therules of negotiation are very similar and can help you find win-win scenarios for everyone involved.
11 a.m.–12:45 p.m. Sessions Building Relationships Your Competitors Can’t Steal
How to “talk advertising instead of leading with your rates,ratings and media kit. The missing metrics: 3 keymeasurements that every salesperson needs to track.
How the selling mindset has evolved and what that meansto you. How to determine the strength of your currentbusiness relationships.
Using “The Chart” as a roadmap to your next level of salesprofessionalism. Three powerful new ways to think aboutclosing sales.
Embracing the three secrets of sales success. Using zero pressure closesto secure sales and strengthen business relationships.
Avoiding these 10 buyer dislikes to immediately differentiate yourself.Performing “Sales Pipeline Angioplasty” to get stalled deals moving anddead deals out of your pipeline.
Using “The Magic Question” to quickly separate real prospects frominformation seekers. How to answer the buyer’s five unasked questionsearly in the meeting and instantly differentiate yourself from the competition.
Earning the trust and respect that are the basis of solid relationships.Becoming less vulnerable to being commoditized and having businessstolen on price.
OR: Goodbye Negativity: Building a Happy Workplace
A conversation about how newsroom and station culture goesbad and what every employee can do to create a morehospitable even happy workplace — as well as how to defendyourself against negativity, harassment and bullies. There isnew research that discusses why a positive culture is critical forbusiness success. That is magnified in a newsroom of skeptical,distrustful journalists and in a broadcast station wheredepartments can be separated by distance and hard work.Building a culture is more than just having a fun place towork… culture makes or breaks strategic intentions.
Understand the power dynamics of negativity and achieve personal control over your station’s culture and your personal happiness.
Followed by: Fun Squad Panel
RyanBrown,Ignite
DavidOxenford, Wilkinson,Barker,Knauer, LLP
Chris Lytle, InstantSalesTraining
Investigative Reporting— Every day.Learn how to build a plan for investigativereporting that works for you and yournewsroom every day. It can be done bychanging your mindset and building simplesystems that work. We’ll share practical advice ongetting started and creating a newsroommindset where investigative reporting is part ofyour daily workflow.
Conference Sessions | Thursday, June 13
7:30 a.m.–7 p.m.: Registration
Concurrent sessions: Young Professionals present “The Toolbox” Details on page 6.
8 a.m.–9:15 a.m. Business Breakfast
9:15 a.m.–9:45 a.m. Economic Update
9:45 a.m. Break
10 a.m.–12 p.m. Sessions 2020 Vision: Attracting Millennial and GenZ Employees – P1 Learning
Now it’s time to head into the future. Our destination isto fast-forward to the 2020’s. A world where full-functioning “self-driving” automobiles will be the norm,corporate space travel promises a manned trip aroundMars, and 50% of the Global workforce will bemembers of the Millennial Generation.
As an industry we devote a substantial amount of timeand effort attempting to project future sales, but littletime thinking about the factors that impact that future.In 2020 Vision we invite you to take a forward look at
the broadcast industry’s markets, customers, products, teams, andleaders.
In addition, we will take an in-depth look at the various dynamicsthat will affect that future. Including:
• Our Competitive Environment
• Our Customer Evolution
• Our Changing Workforce (Baby Boomers, Gen X, The Millennial, Gen Z & Gen Alpha)
• Our Great Unknown
SouphaphoneMaddox,BMO Private Bank
Jason Joanis,BMO Private Bank
SpeedMarriott,Owner/CEO, P1Learning
KevinBenz, i-MediaStrategies
AnnePappe,WKBT-TV
KevinBenz, i-MediaStrategies
9 a.m.–9:10 a.m. Welcome & Introduction
9:10 a.m.–10:10 a.m. “Fighting the Burnout” Panel Discussion
10:10 a.m.–11:10 a.m. Investigate: Not Just a Title
11:10 a.m.–11:15 a.m. Break
11:15 a.m.–12:15 p.m. New Media: Improve Your Reach Panel Discussion
12:15 p.m.–2:15 p.m. WBA Lunch and Keynote Speaker
2:30 p.m.–3 p.m. YPs in Broadcasting Panel Discussion
3 p.m.–4 p.m. What Would You Do: WORT’s Story of Surviving a Workplace Shooting
Bryan Polcyn, WITI-TV Investigative Reporter,Milwaukee
Terry Stevenson Amy Pflugshaupt
Lindsay Wood Davis,Broadcast Management
Strategies, WBA Hall of Fame, Monona
Adam Schrager, Social Impact Storyteller
for American FamilyInsurance Institute for
Corporate & Social Impact,formerly WISC-TV Anchor,
Madison
George Smith, WKOW-TV Anchor,
Madison
Joe Daguanno, Adams Outdoor General
Manager and former radiobroadcaster, Madison
Gina Barton, host of“Unsolved” Crime Podcast
from the MilwaukeeJournal Sentinel
Adam Senatori, Multi-Disciplinary Artist,
Madison
Bridget Thoreson,Engagement Consultantat Hearken, Milwaukee
Jeff McCarthy, VP of Programming
for MidwestCommunications,
Green Bay
Terry Stevenson, Sales Manager for
Seehafer Broadcasting andCo-Founder of the WBA YP
Committee, Manitowoc
JT Koser, Station Manager for FOX
99.1 FM and Co-Founder ofthe WBA YP Committee,
Rice Lake
Sarah Gray, News Director for WSAW,
Wausau
Lane Kimble, News Director, WJFW-TV,
Rhinelander
6 W i s c o n s i n B r o a d c a s t e r | wi-broadcasters.org
OR:
High Performance CultureEvery business has a culture. The important question is, are we controlling and shaping it orletting it develop on its own. We’ll go through how to buildyour EPIC (Environment, Process,Improvement, Communication)Culture. This isn’t just a “squishy”
session about making everyone happy, butincludes real world actionable items that willhelp your team, your company, your visionhead in a more positive direction that leadsdirectly to higher performance.
12:15 p.m.–2:15 p.m. Keynote Lunch and LocalBroadcast Legends Presentation
2:30 p.m.–4 p.m.Beating Burnout“…withdrawal, becoming callous and cynical,
making sick jokes, ridiculing,becoming mentally exhausted andsuffering from psychosomaticcomplaints; headaches, backaches,gastrointestinal problems, anxiety,the inability to concentrate, anddepression…” Sound familiar?Periodically many, maybe mostjournalists, have felt this way.Those are the psychological
symptoms of severe burn-out and frankly,journalists look like case studies in how toburn out fast. Burnout is not a problem ofpeople, but of workplaces. You’ll learn at least six ways to help yourself and yournewsroom avoid it.
5 p.m.–6 p.m.Hall of Fame Reception
6 p.m.–7 p.m.Hall of Fame Reception
7 p.m.–8 p.m.Hall of Fame Presentations
KevinBenz, i-MediaStrategies
RyanBrown,Ignite
Molly Stentz, WORT-FM News Director, Madison
One-Day Conference for YoungProfessionals in the Broadcasting Industry
Thursday, June 13 OSTHOFF RESORT, ELKHART LAKE
Thank you to The Toolbox Sponsors
W i s c o n s i n B r o a d c a s t e r | M a y / J u n e 2 0 1 9 7
The smartphone is themost transformativedevice in our medialifetimes. Today, listeners and viewershave continued access to allforms of content, whileeating, working, driving, and
yes, sleeping. But the smartphone can do morethan simply make content available toaudiences – push messages can activate theaudience by alerting them to breaking news,contests, guests, or other events happening atthat moment and move the audienceimmediately to your station. In other words,push notifications are a power tool and canmake a huge impact on your station’s success.
Push notifications are brief messages or alertsthat look like text messages that are sent to theuser’s lock-screen notification panel throughyour station’s mobile app. Push notificationsare a great marketing tool that enhances yourmobile app because it allows you to engagewith your users at any time during their day.
Here are four ways to use push to improve yourrelationship with your audience and increaselistening and viewing:
1. Breaking news alertsUse push messages to notify your users aboutbreaking news, sports, or severe weather alerts.Keep the messages short and to the point, and
link them through to the appropriate place onyour website for more information.
2. Program remindersPush notifications can let your audience knowabout special or event programming. A keyinterview or special event can be called out toyour audience to drive them to tune in.
3. Event remindersLocal and station events are perfect uses forpush messages. Remind your audience toshow up and give them easy access to thedetails of when and where. Obviously this alsohas benefits for your advertisers.
4. TargetabilityPush notifications provide the ability to targetyour message just to those who haveexpressed interest in a specific topic. Havingthe ability to target messages creates asignificantly better user experience andincreases response.
And here are some things to beware of:
1. FrequencyPush notifications are highly interruptive to theend user – that’s their power – but if you sendtoo many, your messages will lose theirurgency and thus, their engagement. And ifyou abuse your audience’s patience, they willprobably block your messages altogether.
2. RelevanceMake sure your messages are about topics thatreally matter to the audience. If possible, usedifferent message categories or “topics” toallow your audience to choose what kind ofmessages they want from you. Nothing turnsoff a user more quickly than a bunch ofmessages interrupting them with things thatdon’t matter.
3. AdvertisingWe strongly recommend against sending pushmessages with specific sponsor messages. Youcan tag the sponsor at the end of a content-driven message, but if you start sending ads toyour audience you’ll get blocked.
Remember that push notifications are apowerful tool, and you need to use them withgreat care and thought. But if used properlythey can provide valuable information to your
audience and drive them toyour broadcast.
Bob Kernen is the COO of mobile applicationdeveloper, jacapps. If you want to discuss pushnotifications or any other matter relating tomobile apps, contact Bob Kernen [email protected].
The WBA Digital Hotline is a free service from theWisconsin Broadcasters Association. If you haveany questions relating to digital, social media,mobile, or related topics, contact Paul Jacobs [email protected].
Bob Kemenjacapps
Elevate your mobile game with push notificationsD I G I TA L C O L U M N F R O M T H E J A C O B S M E D I A T E A M A S PA R T O F T H E J A C O B S M E D I A / W B A D I G I TA L PA R T N E R S H I P
At this year’s WBA Summer Conference, Jacobs Media’sDigital Dot Connector, Seth Resler, will hold one-on-one meetings with broadcasters to take an in-depth look at their station’s digital strategy. These meetings will take an individualized look at your station’s strategy, including everything from email marketing to social media to website analytics.
Here’s how you can participate:
1. Go to http://jacobsmedia.com/wba-digital-assessment.
2. Take 15 minutes to fill out the Digital Assessment that Seth will use to craft his recommendations for you.
3. In the coming weeks, Seth will email you to set up a time for a one-on-one review of your station’s digital strategy on June 13during the WBA Summer Conference, which you can register for at the WBA website: wi-broadcasters.org
This is a FREE service made available to you by Your WBA!
Don’t miss this unique opportunity to take a deep
dive look at your station’s digital strategy!
Seth Resler,Jacobs Media
Build Your Digital Strategy at the WBA Summer Conference
BMO A part of BMO Financial Group
Thank you,Sponsors!
Thank you,Partner!
8 W i s c o n s i n B r o a d c a s t e r | wi-broadcasters.org
Four Wisconsin Broadcasters have been chosenas WBA Local Broadcast Legends and will berecognized during the Keynote Luncheon at theWBA Summer Conference at the Osthoff Resortin Elkhart Lake on June 13. The Wisconsin Broadcasters Association Local Broadcast LegendsAward was established in 2015 under the direction of BruceGrassman, owner/president of Results Radio. The Local BroadcastLegends Award is a great honor and recognition for individuals thatwork behind the scenes and within their communities fulfilling thecommitment broadcasters have made to serve their localcommunities. They are individuals who exemplify localism. Thisaward is a means to extend recognition of these individuals beyondtheir local communities.
Individuals with 15 years or more service in Wisconsin broadcastingmay be nominated by their company, co-workers, communityleaders, family members, and friends. The station or organizationwhich the nominee is associated with submits the nomination onbehalf of the nominating individual(s).
The WBA is grateful to Bruce Grassman for his vision to establish ameans for dedicated local broadcast employees to be recognized fortheir contributions to Wisconsin broadcasting. This award is for thosewho unconditionally support their stations and community.
Our 2019 recipients are as follows:
Four to behonored asLocal BroadcastLegends
Wisconsin stations bringhome 90 Eric Sevareid AwardsWisconsin radio and TV stations brought home 90Eric Sevareid Awards from the Midwest BroadcastJournalists Association during its convention inBloomington, Minnesota on April 13.The 90 awards were spread out among 15 stations in Wisconsin:
The full list of winners can be found at: https://midwestjournalists.org/eric-sevareid-award-winners-for-2019-honored/
Congratulations to all the winners!
Keep your newsroom updatedon Amber Alerts, other state-issued notificationsWhen an Amber Alert or Silver Alert is issued or canceled inour state, the Wisconsin Department of Justice providesnotice to broadcasters and other interested parties via itsWisconsin Crime Alert Network. Alerts are issued primarilyvia email.
Your newsroom is hopefully receiving these notices from thestate. WBA reminds you that if your station email addresseshave changed over the years or if you wish to add additionalcontacts, you will need to go to the WCAN website to re-subscribe to these important notifications. The website is:www.wisconsincrimealert.gov.
You can subscribe separately to one or all of four notificationcategories:
• AMBER Alerts: Issued for missing children events whichmeet certain criteria.
• Silver Alerts: Issued for missing adults with cognitiveimpairment.
• Crime Alerts: Issued for armed robbery, burglary, and manyother crimes as well as missing persons.
• Green Alerts: Issued for veterans at risk.
Information on the website provides an explanation of the sign-up process. Any questions on use of the site can be addressedby consulting the FAQ or the contact links at the top of the page.
UWM Radio 5 WBAY-TV 6WBKT-TV 3 WEAU-TV 4WHWC 3 Wisconsin Public Radio 7Wisconsin Public Television 8 WISN-TV 6WITI-TV 6 WMTV-TV 9WQOW-TV 3 WRST-FM 10WSAW-TV 8 WUEC 2WUWM 10
W i s c o n s i n B r o a d c a s t e r | M a y / J u n e 2 0 1 9 9
Jerry BurkeIt’s been said that there isno reporter in the historyof the Fox Valley withmore local contacts andsources than Jerry Burke.
Jerry spent 34 years of hiscareer at WBAY-TV in Green Bay, mostlyspent as Valley News Bureau Chiefsupervising newsrooms in Oshkosh andAppleton.
During his career, he earned a reputation foralways getting the story right the first time.It’s this dedication to accuracy that builtJerry’s trust with his audience and hissources and earned him the respect of thecommunity.
This respect was demonstrated at hisretirement party which was the mostattended retirement party in WBAY’s historyand included local officials, judges, andmore than 40 members of law enforcement.
Retired WBAY assignment manager JimDillion said of Jerry, “I can’t think of anyone Irespect as a reporter more than Jerry Burke.”
Jerry is described as the perfect mentor fornew reporters and shared his expertisewhile teaching at UW-Oshkosh.
Jerry is an ambassador for the communityand has spent 50 years working at EAAAirVenture fly-in in Oshkosh. He alsocovered the huge event every year heworked at WBAY.
Jerry’s dedication to community and fidelityto journalism will leave a lasting legacy inthe Fox Valley.
Duff DamosDuff Damos is known inthe WisconsinNorthwoods for his deepvoice, his dedication toradio, and his devotion tohis audience..
Duff has had a long career in radio, as PDand hosting mornings on WIFC in Wausaufor 17 years, hosting afternoons on WHDGin Rhinelander, and for the last 17 yearshosting afternoons on WRLO, Antigo. He isalso operations manager for the NRG Media6-station Northwoods cluster.
Duff also has been involved with WHDG for17 years at the enormous Hodag CountryFestival. He’s involved in local charity eventslike the Minocqua Chill Out which is anannual fundraiser for Children’s MiracleNetwork, which has raised $250,000 over 11 years.
His peers describe him as “meticulous,caring, and dedicated to his job, his staff, hislisteners, and our communities.”
NRG Market Manager Shane Sparks wrote,“Dedicated to his craft and his listeners, Duffhas been a leader not only in the workplacebut in his local communities by sharing thistime and talents.”
His influence is demonstrated by thenumber of listeners who approach him orstop by the station unannounced to see him.
Duff has been a prominent voice inWisconsin’s Northwoods for more than 40 years.
Glen Moberg Glen Moberg embodiedthe ideals of localjournalism during hisalmost 50-year career.
Glen moved to Wausaufrom Chicago in 1993
to serve as news director and anchor atWSAW-TV and later assignment manager for WAOW-TV. In 2003, he joined Wisconsin Public Radio as a reporter and talk show host.
Before that, he served as a networkcorrespondent for WFLD-TV Fox NewsChicago. He also created and led a cabletelevision news department that served 10communities in Chicago’s western suburbs.
Glen took special interest in issues affectingthe community, the environment, and civil rights.
In 2004 he co-created and hosted “Route51,” putting a spotlight on regional issuesand personalities. He produced andmoderated numerous forums for local and statewide elections, including two U.S.Senate debates.
Glen served on influential boards ofdirectors and emceed local events. Hereceived more than 40 broadcast journalismawards at Wisconsin Public Radio. The
people he hired and mentored are stillserving the public in their own successfulcareers.
Glen retired in February as he fights cancer.WPR Director Mike Crane wrote that Glenhas “shown not only courage andconviction, but in his inimitable way, he‘lives his life in front of us,’ openly sharingwhat he’s fighting, and how he’s choosing to live.”
Marshall ShapiroMarshall (Marsh) Shapiro(1938-2012) is a Madisonbroadcasting icon whoseengaging personalitytook him from a belovedkids show host to a well-
respected sports authority.
Apart from three years of service in theNavy, Marshall lived his entire life inMadison. In 1964 he started hosting theWKOW-TV afternoon kids’ show “CartoonCorral” as Marshall the Marshall. The showwas also carried by WAOW-TV in Wausau.Thousands of children and guests appearedon the show during its run until 1968. Hegot into the community, attendingcompany picnics, fairs, birthday parties,parades, and other special events.
Marshall turned his career toward sports,joining the WKOW sports department andserving as sports director. He got areputation for cultivating deep sources onthe sports beat.
From 1975 to the mid-80s he anchoredWKOW-TV statewide telecasts of the WIAAbasketball, swimming, and wrestlingtournaments. He also did play-by-play forBadger football, basketball, and wrestling.
Marshall emceed WKOW’s local segments of the Muscular Dystrophy telethons andhosted the events Special Olympics inStevens Point from 1983 to 1991.
Marshall served on numerous communityboards and from 1968 to 2010 and alsoowned and operated the Nitty GrittyRestaurant and Bar.
Former employer Terry Shockley saidMarshall was, “Dedicated to his professionof broadcasting while very tenacious in allrespects.”
10 W i s c o n s i n B r o a d c a s t e r | wi-broadcasters.org
ceremony in Miami. Lupita and Luis Montoto traveled to theconference to represent the station.
KLNV-FM in San Diego was named Station of the Year. La Movida isowned by Mid-West Family Broadcasting.
Welton receives achievement awardThe Association of Public Radio Engineers (APRE) ishonoring Nautel’s Jeff Welton with this year’s APREEngineering Achievement Award. In the announcement,APRE President Victoria St. John said, “Jeff helps makepossible what we do, representing the approach to theideals and engineering practices and training that APRE
stands for and promotes.”
Welton is well known for sharing best practices in the areas oflightning protection, grounding, transmitter site safety and otherimportant subjects via articles and presentations. He also wrote thechapter on Facility Grounding Practice and Lightning Protection for the11th edition of the NAB Engineering Handbook.
Welton is the central U.S. regional sales manager for Nautel and hasworked for the transmitter manufacturer for nearly 30 years. He’s also amember of the WBA Board.
Radio personality rescued by 13-year-oldA middle school student inMerrill received a specialcommendation for his effortsto save a local radiopersonality who was trappedin the snow. Merrill police saidon Feb. 21 they were called tothe WJMT studios when 13-
year-old Michael Dickman heard someone calling for help as he walkedpast the studios. The boy heard the calls from morning showpersonality Lonnie Scott who was trapped in a deep drift of snow whileattempting to clear snow off a satellite dish.
The boy was unable to flag down help from passing motorists so heentered the studio and called 911.
Scott had been trapped for more than 90 minutes before he wasextricated by rescue crews. He was admitted to a local hospital andtreated for early stage frostbite.
Station hosts free ‘Family Affair Expo’Milwaukee radio stationV100.7 (WKKV-FM)hosted its eighth annual free “Family AffairExpo” last weekend drawing about 1,000attendees to the State Fair Park ProductsPavilion in West Allis.
The aim of the expo is to make a positiveimpact on Milwaukee families. It featuredlocal exhibitors focused on health andwellness, finance, education, smallbusinesses, and job recruitment.
V100.7’s on-air personalities Bailey Coleman,Reggie Brown, Promise and DJO hosted liveentertainment on the main stage.Performing acts include Def Jam RecordingArtist YK Osiris, Warner Recording Artists Ar’mon and Trey, and SoloLucci, Empire Recording Artist and cast member of Love & Hip HopHollywood. Minister Melvin Hood showcased local gospel artists andPromise hosted local talent in a special live version of Heat From TheStreet.
Radio host moderates Madison mayoral forumLa Movida (WLMV) programdirector and host LupitaMontoto served as moderatorfor a Madison mayoral forum.
Madison Mayor Paul Soglin andchallenger Satya Rhodes-Conway appeared at the March
25 forum at Centro Hispano of Dane County in collaboration with theLatino Consortium for Action.
All the questions asked at the forum were questions from thecommunity and most dealt with Latino issues. La Movida broadcast theforum live over the air and on Facebook. The election was held April 2.
Montoto was also a panelist during the WBA Foundation’sgubernatorial debate in October. Montoto serves as Treasurer of theWBA Board.
Competition named after long-time supporterDick Record
A competition for youngmusicians is being renamed torecognize a broadcaster, andlongtime supporter of thecompetition, Dick Record. TheLa Crosse Symphony Orchestraannounced at a March 9
performance that the Rising Stars Concerto Competition would now becalled the Richard Record Rising Stars Concerto Competition. Duringthat concert, the four finalists performed with the orchestra for cashprizes.
Record had been a prize donor for several years before becoming thecompetition sponsor 14 years ago. Through his generosity, thecompetition grew its competition which now reaches out to highschool musicians in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, and Illinois.
Program coordinator Janet Roth said the talent level increases eachyear because of support like Record’s.
The competition is celebrating its 20th year. Record is National SalesManager for Mid-West Family Broadcasting in La Crosse and a pastWBA Board Chair and WBA Hall of Famer.
The hosts of the Triple-M (WMMM-FM) morningshow are marking 20 years on the air in Madison.
Jonathan Sutton and Kitty Dunn celebrated themilestone in March with a party at Club Tavern.
“We met so many wonderful people! It’shumbling to realize the impact we have onpeople’s daily lives, and to see in person theaudience we usually have to imagine in ourmind’s eye,” they wrote.
La Movida named finalist for national awardSpanish-language radio stationLa Movida (WLMV) in Madisonwas named a Station of theYear finalist for the 2019Medallas de Cortez awards atthe Radio Ink Hispanic RadioConference.The awards weregiven out on March 12 at a
Members in the Spotlight
W i s c o n s i n B r o a d c a s t e r | M a y / J u n e 2 0 1 9 11
TV station helps collect more than 210K mealsA Milwaukee TV station took part in twoefforts that resulted in the collection ofmore than 210,000 meals for the hungry.
Through the ‘Peanut Butter & JellyChallenge’ and the ‘Scouting for Food’initiatives, WISN-TV teamed up withFeeding America Eastern Wisconsin to
collect enough food to provide a total of 210,322 meals for thosefacing hunger in Wisconsin. These efforts in February and Marchamounted to more than 119,000 pounds of food and more than$37,000 in contributions.
In the 16th annual “Peanut Butter and Jelly Challenge.” roughly 60Wisconsin schools and companies collected jars of peanut butter andjelly, along with monetary donations, to total an equivalent of 126,155meals for Wisconsin residents who need it most. This charitablecampaign culminated in “The Big Drop,” where students brought indonations to the Milwaukee and Appleton Food Banks.
WISN-TV also supported the ‘Scouting For Food,’ initiative, in whichneighborhoods across Milwaukee, Kenosha, and Racine counties filledgrocery bags with food to help out members of their communities.Thousands of area Boy Scouts then went door-to-door for the fooddrive, which resulted in 84,167 meals to help fill people’s kitchen tables.
WISN-TV to debut 9 p.m. newscastWISN 12 News will launch“WISN 12 News at 9:00 p.m.” onApril 1. The half-hour newscastwill feature anchor DerrickRose, Chief MeteorologistMark Baden, and SportsDirector Dan Needles and will
air on WISN 12’s multicast channel “Justice Milwaukee.” “JusticeMilwaukee” is available over the air on digital channel 12.2, onSpectrum cable channel 985 and on Charter cable channel 180.
WBAY-TV, Green BayExcellence in Social Media
Investigative Reporting
Target 2 Investigates: Rumble over Rumble Strips
WGBA-TV, Green Bay
NewscastProject Drive Sober
Wisconsin Public Radio
Excellence in InnovationBeyond the Ballot
Excellence in SoundIs Everybody Ready? BarronCounty Trains Residents onHow to Survive a MassShooting
Feature ReportingAs He Loses His Sight,Journalist Known for RichDetail Embraces New Chapter
WISC-TV, Madison
Overall Excellence
Breaking News CoverageSun Prairie Explosion
Continuing CoverageSun Prairie Explosion
Excellence in SoundFarmer’s Reality
News SeriesTime to Talk
WISN-AM, Milwaukee
Sports ReportingLetting Every Girl Sparkle
WISN-TV, Milwaukee
Continuing CoverageTaser Takedown: The Sterling Brown Arrest
WITI-TV, Milwaukee
Breaking News CoverageHistoric Church Fire
Excellence in InnovationSchool Bus InspectionDatabase
Excellence in SoundMore Than Words
Excellence in VideoThe Last Straw
Multimedia
NewscastFOX6 News at 9:00 – SunPrairie Explosion Aftermath
WMTV-TV, Madison
Excellence in WritingMMJ Morgan
WTMJ-AM, Milwaukee
Breaking News CoverageThe Fire at Trinity LutheranHard NewsThe Power of the PrisonMinistry
Wisconsin stations pick up22 regional Murrow awards
WAPL wins Station of the Year honorsWAPL-FM in Appleton was named Station of the Yearat the Wisconsin Area Music Industries (WAMI)Awards on April 14. The Woodward-owned station wasnominated in the People’s Choice Radio Stationcategory for northeast Wisconsin. WAMI recognizes the
contributions and accomplishments of individuals in the Wisconsinmusic industry and provides music business educational opportunitiesto its members and the public. This is WAPL's fourth Radio Station ofthe Year - Northeast Division Award in the past six years.
Six Wisconsin TV stations and three Wisconsinradio stations collectively won 22 regional EdwardR. Murrow Awards. The awards are given out by theRadio Television Digital News Association (RTDNA).Award recipients demonstrate the spirit of excellence thatEdward R. Murrow set as a standard for the profession ofelectronic journalism.
National winners will be announced in June. The WBA AwardsGala will be May 4 at the Madison Marriott West.
‘Help for the Homeless’ drive raises $406,000 The Family Radio Network(WEMY/WEMI/ WGNV/WSTM)collected $406,000 worth ofhygiene and cleaning productsduring its “Help for theHomeless” drive. The donationswere collected in 15 northeastand central Wisconsincommunities for 89 crisisagencies serving thosecommunities.
In its 27th year, “Help for the Homeless” donations have provided more
than $3.3 million worth of hygiene supplies to local crisis programs andthose they serve. The goal of the drive is to supply a year’s worth ofproducts to each agency. The Family works with area homelesscoalitions, inviting people to donate hygiene and cleaning items totheir local crisis programs to help them direct their limited funds toprovide qualified staff, counseling, shelter, and food to those theyserve. More than 900 local businesses, churches, and schoolsparticipated by placing collection boxes in their high traffic areas andinviting their own staff, members, and students to donate for threeweeks this spring.
12 W i s c o n s i n B r o a d c a s t e r | wi-broadcasters.org
Members in the Spotlight
Jessica Arp of WISC-TV named 2019 Distinguished Wisconsin Watchdog
Jessica Arp, the assistant news director andchief political reporter for WISC-TV andChannel3000.com, has been named the 2019recipient of the Distinguished Wisconsin WatchdogAward.
The award recognizes an individual’s extraordinarycontributions to open government or investigativejournalism in Wisconsin and was a highlight of theninth annual Wisconsin Watchdog Awards
reception and dinner onApril 16.
Arp has reported onWisconsin politics forWISC-TV in Madison since2007 and has receivedEdward R. Murrow,Wisconsin BroadcastersAssociation, and Emmyawards for her coverageof Wisconsin elections. Inaddition to her reportingduties, Arp has beeninvolved in leadingefforts in investigativetechniques, innovation,and social media amongthe staff to help build the
WISC-TV digital brand.
“For more than a decade Jessica Arp has been holding public servantsaccountable,” Tom Bier, former vice president and general manager atWISC-TV, wrote in his nomination letter.
“It’s a consistent record of strong investigative stories based in research,data use, strong visuals and easy-to-understand language. Jessica hascarved a path and shown that investigative reporting is not onlyimportant but can be made relevant to news consumers.”
Arp has fact-checked more than 100 claims made by politicians,including in political commercials, in WISC-TV’s ongoing Reality Checkseries.
Her reporting uncovered problems with the oversight of limousinecompanies following a deadly 2016 crash. The report documented flawsin the current system, while exploring potential solutions and informingconsumers of steps to take to keep themselves safe.
Arp’s most recent investigative work detailed problems with completinga multi-million dollar computer upgrade of the state online benefits system.
The Watchdog Awards also featured the 2019 Openness Awards, orOpees, bestowed annually by the Wisconsin Freedom of InformationCouncil. Recipients included State Senator Chris Larson, Citizens for aClean Wausau, Simpson Street Free Press, the Milwaukee JournalSentinel, and Racine Alderwoman Sandra Weidner.
The Distinguished Wisconsin Watchdog Award is presented jointly by the Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism, the WisconsinFreedom of Information Council, the Madison Pro Chapter of the Societyof Professional Journalists, the Wisconsin Newspaper Association,Wisconsin Broadcasters Association and University of Madison-Wisconsin School of Journalism and Mass Communication. The eventsold out again this year.
Viste retires after 50 years at WEAU-TVRon Viste is retiring after 50 years as a broadcastengineer at WEAU-TV in Eau Claire.Viste got his start in radio andmilitary communicationsbefore moving to WEAU.
He is known for his dedicationto his craft and enthusiasm inworking with new technology.He has often taken the lead on
big projects and is excited to work on station initiatives that get himworking in different venues.
During his tenure at WEAU, Viste has helped and worked with many ofthe broadcasters in the area, including competitors. He has been aleader with the local Society of Broadcast Engineers chapter. In 2016,Viste was inducted into the National Association of Arts and SciencesGolden Circle.
Viste is credited with essentially rebuilding WEAU a few times over theyears, and for the overall success of WEAU. A party for Viste was heldon April 23. His last day working full time at WEAU was May 1.
Zelich honored by Midwest Broadcast JournalistsAssociation
Former WSAW-TV news director and WBA Hall ofFamer Mark Zelich received the highest honoravailable from the Midwest Broadcast JournalistsAssociation. Zelich received the Mitchell V. CharnleyAward during its annual awards ceremony at theMidwest Journalism Conference on April 13 in theTwin Cities.
Zelich, known simply as ‘Z’ to his colleagues, came to the Wausautelevision station then called WSAU-TV as a sports anchor in 1957, wasnamed sports director in 1965, and became news director in 1977, ajob he held until his retirement in 1994. He has trained and inspiredhundreds of broadcast journalists throughout his career, earning hisnewsroom multiple awards and serving his audience in north centralWisconsin with distinction. He is also a member of the Emmy SilverCircle and was inducted into the WBA Hall of Fame in 1998.
“Z inspired excellence. His legacy lives on in the WSAW newsroom andin so many others across the country, where his former employees arefinding their own success and making an impact on our business,” saidMBJA President Jessica Laszewski. “Zelich has been a mentor andvalued friend to many, who are paying it forward by guiding a newgeneration of journalists.”
After retiring, Zelich continued to work part-time as Special ProjectsCoordinator at WSAW until 2007, shepherding three events that startedunder his watch and continue to this day — the NewsChannel 7 GolfClassic and Pin Busters, a regional golf and bowling tournamentrespectively; and the NewsChannel 7 All Stars, which honors highschool athletes. When Gray Television bought Wausau’s FOX affiliate in2015, the “Z” in WZAW-TV, was included in honor of his service to thecommunity. “Zelich still inspires at the age of 90. Those who workedwith him will tell you it was an honor and a privilege, and we can’t waitto celebrate Z and his outstanding contributions to our industry,”Laszewski said.
46 year veteran of WKBT-TV diesLarry Johnson, a longtime colleague of employees atWKBT-TV in La Crosse, has died. Johnson worked atWKBT for 46 years. He retired in 2014. Many willremember him as WKBT’s weatherman in the dayslong before computers came to dominate theweather department. He was also the voice of manyannouncements on WKBT over the years. Hiscolleagues at the station say the word most
commonly associated with Johnson is “gentleman.” Johnson diedFeb. 19. He was 78.
Antigo radio host remembered for contributionsThe host of a morning radio show in Antigo has died.
Gary Hartl hosted the WATK Breakfast Club. During hiscareer he served as DJ, news director, and salesman atWRLO/WATK. He was also a car salesman for Parsons ofAntigo for 30 years. Hartl died March 5. He was 68.According to his obituary, Hartl contributed time andtalent to countless events including Relay for Life, theSplash-N-Dash Michelle Koss Memorial Race, St. John
International Food and Fall Festival, and Antigo's annual Christmasparade. He was a multiple time winner of Langlade County's TopRadio Personality.
Hartl had a passion for music and played percussion for severalbands including Slidin' On Ice and the MLC Blues Band, St. John'sJoyful Noise Life Teen Band, and the Northernaires. A funeral Masswas held March 13. A one hour special "Remembrance of Gary"breakfast Club program aired on WACD on April 2.
Retired radio host diesA man with a long career as a radio host in Madisonhas died.
Howard Witt Jr., better known to many as “Andy,” diedMarch 13 in Fitchburg. He was 71. Witt started hiscareer at a radio station in Neenah while he got his 1stClass license from Brown Institute in Minneapolis. Heassumed the on air name “Andy” early in his career.
He moved to WTSO in Madison in 1973 where he was on the air as amorning personality until his retirement in 1993.“Andy had an abilityto make all around him comfortable, which was affirmed by all therelationships he established with radio broadcasters, celebrities andmusic acts,” his obit read, “Multiple generations remember the voicesof the ‘Pat & Andy’ show and then the ‘Andy & the Bear’ morningshow and how they provided a comedic and comforting refuge totheir daily commute.” The family is planning a private memorial.Memorials may be made to the family.
Broadcast veteran remembered for friendliness,work ethic
Longtime Wisconsin radio and production veteran JoeShain is being remembered for his friendliness and“can-do” attitude.
Shain died April 30. He was an on-air personality onseveral stations and formats, including WLTQ-FMduring the period when that station was a Soft AC. For the past 18 years, he was the Assistant Production
Director for the iHeartMedia cluster in Milwaukee.
During his career, Shain also worked for Hearst Corporation, andCapstar Broadcasting, among others.
IN REMEMBRANCE
Larry Johnson
Gary Hartl
Howard Witt Jr.
Joe Shain
13W i s c o n s i n B r o a d c a s t e r | M a y / J u n e 2 0 1 9
Names in the NewsNighttime news anchor Brad Hicks has left WITI-TV inMilwaukee after more than 15 years at the station. Astatement from the station said Hicks decided to “stepaway and focus on his family.” Hicks had a 30 yearcareer anchoring newscasts. He joined WITI in 2004.
An agricultural reporter from northeast Wisconsin isretiring after more than 40 years. Mike Austin came tothe Fox Valley in 1978 and began doing agriculturalreports on both radio and TV in Green Bay. He servedthat last 17 years at WFRV-TV. During his career Austinreceived numerous awards on the county, state, andnational level from various farm organization andpromotional groups.
Anchor and reporter Hannah Anderson is leavingNBC15 (WMTV) in Madison. Anderson anchored TheMorning Show weekdays before transitioning toNBC15 News at 11 and relaunching NBC15investigates. She was at the station for two years. Sheworked previously at WSAW-TV/WZAW-in Wausau forfour years. She has taken the job of public informationofficer for the City of Madison EngineeringDepartment.
Milwaukee radio personality Karen Dalessandro tookafternoon host position at WKLH where she’s beenworking part-time since late last year. She is on the air3-7 p.m. weekends and has a weekend show.Dalessandro left WKTI in Milwaukee in October when itchanged formats.
Meteorologist Justin Thompson-Gee is joining theCBS 58 Morning News team. Thompson-Gee hadpreviously served as meteorologist for the weekendeditions of the CBS 58 News. Justin came to CBS 58 in2015 as a freelance meteorologist and was promotedto the weekend position a few months later.Thompson-Gee’s first day on the CBS 58 Morning Newswas May 1.
Ryan Fantozzi has been hired as brand manager forRock 94.7, WOZZ in Wausau. He replaces Terry Stevenswho was recently promoted to Operations Manager forMidwest Communications, Lansing. Fantozzi is leavingNeuhoff Media in Bloomington, Illinois where heProgrammed Rock 96.7. He begins in Wausau on May 13.
Dalessandro
Thompson-Gee
Fantozzi
Austin
Hicks
Anderson
Station donates thousands of books to childrenA Milwaukee TV stationdonated 8,000 books to localschools and literacyorganizations supportingchildren.
WISN-TV partnered withDisney Publishing Worldwide,Disney|ABC Television Groupand First Book for the “Magic of
Storytelling” campaign to donate the books to the Penfield Children’s Center, Woodlands East School, and Next Door Foundation in Milwaukee, and Greater Waukesha Literacy.
This is the fourth year the station has run the donation program.
14 W i s c o n s i n B r o a d c a s t e r | wi-broadcasters.org
The WBA Young ProfessionalsCommittee recently met inSheboygan/Manitowoc (bigthank you to Terry Stevensonfor hosting our semi-annualmeeting) with creative mindscoming together in a sessionof brainstorming to solidifyprograms and events
specifically for young broadcast professionalsthroughout Wisconsin.
Here’s a brief overview of greatupcoming opportunities foryoung professionals in yourstations:
Toolbox 2019 on Thursday June 13The Toolbox was createdin 2018 thanks to thehard work of HannahAnderson and TerryStevenson. It includedvarious sessions at theSummer Conference
specifically for young professionals inbroadcasting. This year that will continue to aneven greater level with Toolbox 2019 at the
Summer Conference, on Thursday June 13.Your young employees will learn fromseasoned professionals in panel discussionsand dynamic seminars, including how to fight“burning out,” using new media to the highestlevel to improve your stations’ overall reach,and hearing directly from Molly Stentz and herstory about the shooting at WORT last year. Youcan sign up your employees at the WBAwebsite, first come first serve for 50 attendees!
The New YP Facebook PageHave your young professionals join our newYoung Professionals Facebook Group! Wewill have articles, videos, and great informationavailable to young broadcasters every week viathe page, along with great opportunities fornetworking with fellow broadcasters all aroundthe state!
YP of the Year AwardStarting this fall and going into 2020, wewill be introducing the WBA YP of the YearAward. If you have a young professional whohas shown outstanding achievement in yourstations and/or community, they should berecognized for their dedication! Be on thelookout for more information to come in thefall as we will be taking nominations and
choose six finalists who will receive recognitionin our newsletters and be invited to the 2020Summer Conference where the YP of the Yearwill be announced!
WBA Mentorship ProgramThis program began a few years ago as away for young professionals to interact withexperienced broadcasters to help build solidleaders for the future of our industry. We arecurrently looking for anyone throughout theWBA who would like to mentor a youngprofessional. If you have had success in yourcareer, share some of your wisdom with an up-an-comer. We make sure to pair mentors withyoung professionals in non-competingsituations. You can contact Kyle Geissler at theWBA to sign up as a mentor, and you will becontacted later when we have a “mentee”assigned to you.
If you have anyone that would like to get “in-the-know” for Young Professionals activitiesand events, please have them contact the WBAoffice and we will have them added to ouryoung professional list. They will receive e-mails and updates about all kinds of greatthings to help them throughout theirbroadcasting career!
JT Koser,Koser Radio Group
Y O U N G P R O F E S S I O N A L S C O L U M N
Excitement in store for your young professionals
Madison station adds JusticeNetwork, Court TVWKOW-TV is adding Justice Network and Court TV to itsofferings. Justice Network was added May 1 and Court TV will beadded May 8.• Justice Network (27.5) - Justice Network is a 24/7 broadcast
television network that entertains and informs its viewers withgripping crime and investigation programming while makingcommunities safer. Justice Network provides a first-of-its-kindpublic service initiative that helps catch fugitives, find missingchildren and provide safety tips for its viewers. Proud to be theonly multicast network with non-stop crime programming and apublic service commitment, Justice Network recognizes crimeaffects everyone.
• Court TV (27.4) - For nearly two decades, Court TV brought high-profile courtroom dramas into American living rooms. Continuingthat legacy, Katz Networks is rebooting one of the most iconicbrands in television history. The new Court TV is devoted to livegavel-to-gavel coverage, in-depth legal reporting and expertanalysis of the nation’s most important and compelling trials.
Justice Network will be available free over-the-air on 27.5 and CourtTV on 27.4. To pick up the stations, viewers will need to re-scan theirTVs and/or digital boxes on or after May 1.
Wright, Koser join Legacy ClubTwo WBA Hall of Fame inductees are joiningthe Wisconsin Broadcasters AssociationFoundation’s Legacy Club.Duke Wright, President and CEO of Midwest Communicationsand Tom Koser, President and General Manager of KoserRadio Group, were named to the Legacy Club this spring.
The Legacy Club wasformed in 1998 to providea formal procedure andrecognition for those whomake bequests or agree tomake bequests to theWBA Foundation in theirwills.
For more information onhow to join the LegacyClub, please contactFoundation PresidentMichelle Vetterkind.
WBA Foundation
Duke Wright,President and CEOMidwestCommunications
Tom Koser, Presidentand GeneralManager, KoserRadio Group
W i s c o n s i n B r o a d c a s t e r | M a y / J u n e 2 0 1 9 15
May is a month filledwith pomp andcircumstance. Diplomas are handed out,families are snapping photoswith their grads in cap andgown and students arecelebrating the end ofhomework, quizzes, and
exams. But what’s next?
For many grads, it feels like the hardest part isnow behind them. Young adults are excitedabout the endless opportunities. And thenreality sets in.
Students leave the comforts of college only tofind themselves feeling lost and alone in a newcity that is typically quite far from family andfriends. Finding ways to adjust can beintimidating and something four years of
college doesn’t necessarily prepare you for. Thebest thing to do is to try and make it feel like“home.” Get involved! Whether it’s throughlocal civic organizations, young professionalgroups, volunteering, coaching or throughreligious gatherings – all of it is beneficial inbecoming a part of the community.
This will also help you build a new circle offriends. Establishing theserelationships is vital toadjusting to this new life. Itmay be harder to make friendssince you aren’t surrounded bya large group of people yourown age, but you will findthose friends you make at yourfirst station are most often the deepestfriendships you will have.
Finally, in this industry especially, you’ll learn tolive on a tight budget. Things will add up
quickly, but whatever little bit you can savealong the way will be extremely beneficialdown the road. Groceries, gas, gymmembership, a professional wardrobe will allmake a big dent in that paycheck. Many of usdidn’t get into this business to be rich. We did itbecause of the impact we can have on ourcommunities and to give a voice to the issues
that are important.
So when the glitz ofgraduating wears off, don’t getdiscouraged as the road maybe a bit bumpy at times. Justremember this is anotherchapter in your amazingjourney.
Amy Pflugshaupt is an anchor for NBC15 (WMTV-TV) in Madison and a member of the WBAEducation Committee.
Amy Pflugshaupt,WBA EducationCommittee
E D U C AT O R S ’ C O L U M N
Graduates should get involved in their communities
When so much aboutpolitics is partisan,one might expect atopic like police bodycameras to becontentious,particularly as itrelates to public
access to recordings.But proposed legislation to regulate the use ofthese cameras was approved by nine of the 10members of the committee that produced it,and received unanimous support from thebipartisan Joint Legislative Council. The bill isnow working its way through the Legislature.
Last year, another proposed bill to set rules forpolice body cameras drew concerns from openrecords advocates and others. Among otherthings, it would have required anyone whoappeared in a body camera recording taken incertain locations to approve of the video’srelease to the public. That would create newwork for law enforcement and maybe keep toomuch information out of public view.
The bill was approved by the Assembly, butstalled in the Senate after it became clear thatmore work needed to be done. A LegislativeStudy Committee was formed and met four
times between July and November of last year.Sen. Patrick Testin (R-Stevens Point) and Rep.Chris Taylor (D-Madison), who supportedcompeting bills on police body cameras in theprevious session served as chair and vice chair,respectively. Committee members includedlaw enforcement, representatives of the media,lawyers, and other lawmakers.
The resulting bill, SB-50, addresses suchaspects of police body camera policy astraining, equipment, and records retention.Much of the discussion in drafting the proposalfocused on public access to recordings.
Wisconsin has a long-standing standard ofpresuming that all publicrecords are available for thepublic to view. Thecommittee built on thisstandard in drafting theproposed legislation, as wellas on the experience of other states that havedealt with this issue.
To address the privacy concerns, thecommittee proposed adjustments to thebalancing test as it applies to police bodycameras. Records custodians must weigh theprivacy interests of victims, minors, andwitnesses in deciding whether a video shouldbe released. Redaction technology can be usedto protect victims, minors and those with a
reasonable expectation of privacy.
The study committee worked hard to reachthis agreement. Committee members listenedsincerely to those who disagreed with them.Sen. Testin and Rep. Taylor deserve credit fortheir work leading this committee.
If SB-50 becomes law as currently written, lawenforcement agencies will have new rules tohelp them navigate the use of this newtechnology. Victims and minors would knowthat their privacy has protections. The publicand the media would continue to have accessto police body camera recordings, and they
would have the sameremedies for appealing arecord custodian’s decision asthey have today.
SB-50 has not yet beenscheduled for a publichearing and lawmakers couldmake changes to the bill
before it comes up for a vote, but thebipartisan support for the bill up to this point isa promising sign.
Your Right to Know is a monthly columndistributed by the Wisconsin Freedom ofInformation Council (wisfoic.org), a groupdedicated to open government. Kyle Geissler isdirector of operations and public affairs atWisconsin Broadcasters Association.
Kyle Geissler,Director ofOperations andPublic Affairs, WBA
Y O U R R I G H T T O K N O W
Body cam bill balances privacy, openness
Wisconsin has a long-standing standard ofpresuming that all publicrecords are available forthe public to view.
...when the glitz ofgraduating wears off,don’t get discouragedas the road may be abit bumpy at times.
WBA’s 2019 Doug Chickering
WIAA SPORTS WORKSHOPMilwaukee Brewers vs. Cincinnati Reds
Wednesday, July 24, 2019 | Miller Park, Milwaukee
9:30 a.m. Registration Opens Continental Breakfast
10 a.m. Opening Remarks Michelle Vetterkind, WBA President & CEO, and Doug Chickering, former WIAA Executive Director
10:15–10:45 a.m. What’s New At The WIAADave Anderson, Executive Director, WIAAWade Labecki, Deputy Director, WIAATodd Clark, Director of Communications & Advanced Media
10:45 –11:15 a.m. Brewers Play-By-PlayJeff Levering Jeff is in his 5th season as a radio announcer on the BrewersRadio Network broadcasts. Jeff has the No. 2 slot on the Brewers RadioNetwork with Bob Uecker.
11:15 a.m.–NoonCan you hit a home run with YOUR data? Here’s how theBrewers are knockin’ it outta the park! Mike Schwartz Mike is the VP, Strategy and Analytics for the MilwaukeeBrewers will talk about how strategy, data science, market research, andbusiness intelligence drive success for the Brewers.
Noon - 12:45 p.m.Ballpark-style lunch
1:10 p.m. Milwaukee Brewers vs. Cincinnati Reds
Registration: WBA Member $50; Non-Member $100Includes sessions, continental breakfast, lunch, and game ticket
Mike Schwartz
Jeff Levering
Doug Chickering
The WBA’s Doug Chickering
WIAA SportsWorkshop
is underwritten bythe
Wisconsin Stations of
Quincy Media,Inc.
Register online at wi-broadcasters.org
Because we have to guarantee a meal count and pay for all game tickets, the WBA will not refund any cancellations made after July 10. We will also invoice for all no-shows.
16 W i s c o n s i n B r o a d c a s t e r | wi-broadcasters.org
WBA Foundation
The Institute is designedfor broadcast managersand those seeking orbeing prepared forbroadcast managementpositions. It’s held at theUW School of Business onthe UW-Madison campus.
This year the students heard from Lori Cross onagile strategy, Sarah Young on leadership, andTom Walker on broadcasting finances. FuturistRebecca Ryan spoke at the graduation dinner atthe Fluno Center.
This year’s graduates are:
Kelly Fuller, WAOW-TV
Dave Jensch, KBJR-TV
Doug Barrow, WPTA-TV
Ruby Gutierrez, WOMT-AM
Theresa Wopat, WXOW-TV
Dan Szyjewski, WCLO/WJVL
Shar Hermanson, WCLO-WJVL
Susie Carlson, MWFB–La Crosse
Scott Stach, MWFB–La Crosse
Allen Wiese, KTTC-TV
The graduates get briefcases to mark theiraccomplishment.
The next Institute courses will be held April 14-16, 2020on the UW-Madison campus.
The Institute is funded by an endowment from the estateof William R. Walker. It represents the largest singlecontribution ever received by the WBA Foundation.
10 new graduates finish Walker Broadcast Management InstituteTen graduates of the Walker Broadcast Management Institute got their briefcases in April as theInstitute marked the beginning of its eighth three-year cycle.
OFFICERS Chair of the BoardDavid SanksRetired Wisconsin BroadcasterVice ChairLaurin JorstadRetired Wisconsin BroadcasterSecretaryDick RecordFamily Radio, La Crosse
TreasurerTom WalkerMid-West Family Broadcasting, Madison
President & CEOMichelle Vetterkind, CAEWisconsin Broadcasters AssociationFoundation
BOARD OF DIRECTORSChris BernierRadio Plus, Fond du Lac
Keith BrateliHeartMedia, Madison
Scott Chorski WKBT-TV, La Crosse
Bill HurwitzRetired Wisconsin Broadcaster
R. Perry KidderRetired Wisconsin Broadcaster
Tom KoserWAQE-AM/FM/WJMC-AM/FM/WKFX-FM Rice Lake
Al LancasterWSAW-TV/WZAW-TV, Wausau
Dean MaytagRetired Wisconsin Broadcaster
Kelly RadandtWoodward Radio GroupAppleton/Green Bay
Chuck SteinmetzWITI-TV, Milwaukee
Scott M. TrentadueRetired Wisconsin Broadcaster
Don VeselyWMTV-TV, Madison
Jan WadeWISN-TV, Milwaukee
Wisconsin Broadcasters Association Foundation Officers & Board of Directors www.wbafoundation.org
W i s c o n s i n B r o a d c a s t e r | M a y / J u n e 2 0 1 9 17
18 W i s c o n s i n B r o a d c a s t e r | wi-broadcasters.org
The Wisconsin Broadcasters Hall of Famewas created in 1989 to honor broadcastersthat have devoted a minimum of 15 years tothe broadcasting industry including aminimum of 10 years as a Wisconsinbroadcaster. The award recognizes anindividual’s history of exemplary leadership incommunity and statewide service as abroadcast professional.
The first 12 members of the Hall of Fame wereinducted during the 1989 WBA SummerConference. Since 1989, 144 outstandingbroadcasters have been honored with Hall ofFame inductions.
Inductees are chosen each year fromnominations by WBA members, familymembers and friends. Broadcasters who have
been inducted into the Hall of Fame includemanagers, personalities, engineers, reporters,educators and those broadcasting pioneerswho were all of the above.
Four broadcasters will receive this prestigioushonor in 2019. They are: Clif Groth, DeanMaytag, David L. Nelson, and Fannie MasonSteve.
In October 1989, Alfred C. Sykes, thenChairman of the Federal CommunicationsCommission, came to Wisconsin to formallydedicate a Hall of Fame display, includingplaques honoring the inductees, at the StateHistorical Society of Wisconsin Library inMadison. In 2010, due to remodeling of theSHSW facility, the display was removed and putin storage.
The display now resides at the HiltonMilwaukee City Center. The WisconsinBroadcasters Hall of Fame also has apermanent, virtual display at the onlineWisconsin Museum of Broadcasting whichdebuted in 2009 atwww.wisconsinbroadcastingmuseum.org,where the Wisconsin Broadcasters Hall of FameGallery is one of our major attractions.
We hope to see you all at the 2019 Hall of Famefestivities at the Osthoff Resort in Elkhart Lakeon June 13. The event will begin with the Hallof Fame Reception at 5 p.m., with a banquet inhonor of the inductees, and the inductionsfollowing at 6 p.m.
More about this year’s inductees:
Clif GrothClif Groth’s engineering expertise has touchedcountless radio stations throughout Wisconsinand the Midwest. For 60 years, he has dedicated himself to buildingand rebuilding radio studios and towers andestablishing a reputation as a dependable,
dedicated, and well-respected broadcast engineer.
Clif showed an interest in broadcasting at an early age and took hisfirst engineering job in 1958 at WTTN in Watertown before hegraduated from high school. In 1965 he started his own contractengineering business named Broadcast Electronic Service, whichwas later sold to Goetz Broadcasting. He was instrumental in thedevelopment of the Goetz Farm Radio Network and the statewidenetwork for Marathon Sports.
Clif served numerous employers during his career while constantlydemonstrating his commitment to the broader industry. Clif servedon the WBA Broadcasters Clinic Committee for 20 years and hasbeen an SBE member for 40 years. He is recognized for keepinghimself relevant through constant training throughout his career. Asa member of the engineering community, Clif has always beenquick to loan services or equipment to help an engineer, even if it’s acompetitor. His peers say he’s “always there.”
Dean MaytagDean Maytag is passionate about broadcasting andhas been dedicated to television, local programming,mentoring, and community service in Wisconsin. Dean started his career working at television stations inIowa and Illinois before coming to WTMJ-TV in Milwaukeein 1978 as production manager and has remained in
southeast Wisconsin. At WTMJ-TV, he created “On-line Video,” one of thelargest video production facilities in the state.
In 1988, Dean moved to WISN-TV as Director of Broadcast Operations.Under his direction WISN-TV produced over 500 local specials, including livedebates, public affairs programming documentaries, and news specials. Hewon several Emmy Awards and numerous commendations for his service tothe Milwaukee community. May 10, 2014 was declared “Dean Maytag Day”in Milwaukee.
Dean retired in 2014, but remains involved in broadcasting producing“Project PitchIt” a statewide TV program inspiring entrepreneurship inWisconsin.
Dean served the WBA as Chairman of the Board in 2013 and continues hisinvolvement with work in education, mentoring, and the WBA Awards. Hewas instrumental in creating the original concept for the WBA to promoteWisconsin Honor Flights.
His peers describe Dean as a consummate professional with a great love ofbroadcasting.
WBA Foundation
WBA Hall of FameFour to be inducted into
W i s c o n s i n B r o a d c a s t e r | wi-broadcasters.org
1989Walter Damm
Richard Dudley Haydn Evans
William Forrest Earl Gillespie
Ben Hovel Eddy Jason
Joseph W. KilleenBen A. Laird
Harold McCartyMorgan Murphy
Bruce Wallace
1990Gerald Bartell Sidney Bliss
Thomas Bolger George Comte Charles Dickoff
George FrechetteNathan Goetz
Charles HansonWilliam E. Walker
1991Edward Allen, Jr. Robert Bodden
Irene Buri NelsonHarold Engel Jack Krueger
Tony MoeElmo Reed
1992Gordon Hinkley
Les Leonard Jack Stiehl
Arnie StropeDon Wirth
1993Ronald Bornstein
Jack Gennaro Bart Kellnhauser
Joe Moen
1994Roger LeGrand
Ralph Evans Jim Irwin
Bob Uecker
1995Jack Hackman Roger Russell
William R. WalkerCarl Zimmermann
1996Howard Gernetzke John McCullough
Jack SeversonBernie Strachota
1997Rosa B. Evans
Larry Clark Bill Haig
Andy Spheeris
1998Jean Gitz Bassett
Howard Emich Jim Tomlin
Jim WullimanMark Zelich
1999Woods O. Dreyfus
Joe Laughlin Jack Lee
Terry Shockley
2000Larry Busse
Dr. Ruane HillDuke Wright
2001Bob Barry Bob Dailey Dick Record
Dr. Robert SnyderLee Davis
2002Ed Hinshaw
Henry Lippold Don Seehafer
Ray Wiater
2003Chuck Ramsay
Jim Schuh Tom ShanahanBob Southard
2004Jack Baker
Susan KnaackTerry Baun Dave RavenPhil Fisher
2005Glen Loyd
Walter John Chilsen
Elizabeth Murphy Burns Ted Moore
2006Don Borchert Marty Green
Lee Sherman Dreyfus
2007Bob Bosold Mike Elliott James HoytBill “Mann”
Rittman
2008Willie Davis Terry Havel
Jonathan LittleMike McCormick
2009Tommy Lee Bychinski Charlie & Mike Kearns
R. Perry KidderPaul LeSage
2010Mike Gousha
Bruce Grassman John Hoffland
John LaabsEarle Terry
2011Eddie Doucette Laurin Jorstad
Terry Kelly LeRoy Wolniakowski
2012Greg Bell
Howard Dahl Joe DorseyJill Geisler
Roger Utnehmer
2013Dave Carlson
William T. Evjue Karl F. Schmidt
Scott M. TrentadueBill Vancil
2014Ron Fruit
Ed HutchingsMarv Nelles David Sanks
John Schermerhorn
2015Don Carmichael
Dr. Charles A. CulverSandra K. Shockley
Mike SullivanTom Walker
2016Aline Hazard
Larry McCarrenChuck Roth
Lindsay Wood Davis
2017Ken Beno
Leonard CharlesBill HurwitzLarry Meiller
2018Tom KoserChris LytleBob SmithGary Timm
2019Clif Groth
Dean MaytagDavid L. Nelson
Fannie Mason Steve
Hall Of Fame InducteesDavid L. NelsonDavid L. Nelson (1921-2017) was awell-respected leader whosededication led to a long and influentialcareer in broadcasting. From 1953-1962 David was employed byboth the Green Bay Newspaper Company
and Post Corporation of Appleton where he served as CFOand as a director of both corporations. When thecompanies parted in 1962, David devoted his interestssolely to Post Corporation. There he served as a directorand COO and CFO until 1984 when the corporation wassold. David was executive vice president and COO whenthe firm was sold.
In 1984 David purchased radio stations in Eau Claire andsubsequently purchased radio stations in Missouri, Iowa,and North Dakota. He also bought television stations inGreen Bay, Eau Claire; Marquette, Michigan; and Rochester,New York.
David never retired. He had ownership in Holiday TravelService of Eau Claire and Winnebago Color Press inMenasha. He served as an officer and director of thesefirms until his death.
David is described as a strong, tough, and caring leader.He had high standards, wouldn’t take shortcuts, and had aloyal group of people who worked for him.
His dedication to his community culminated in a $100million gift from his estate to Community Foundation forthe Fox Valley Region.
Fannie Mason SteveFannie Mason Steve (1877-1969) was ateacher, musician, mentor, and tirelessadvocate for the joys of exercise andlife.At the age of 55, after decades as aclassroom teacher, Fannie launched a
pioneering broadcast career focused on early childhoodeducation. She spent 35 years teaching music and physicaleducation on WHA’s School of the Air, engaging younglisteners with just the sound of her voice and a piano.
Fannie grew up in a musical family and started as a teacherin Madison public schools. In 1931 she joined WHA andlaunched “Rhythm and Games.” The show featured musicand activities to inspire imagination, healthy habits, andgroup spirit. She had a radiant voice that captivated heryoung listeners.
“Rhythm and Games” was heard by more than 60,000children each week and was also later broadcast on WHA-TV. She was also an advocate of women’s rights saying, “achance to live her own life - which infers a chance to do asshe wishes - is the right of every woman.”
Fannie received numerous awards including the 1962McCall’s Golden Mike Award for “outstanding service tothe youth of America.” She retired in 1966 at the age of 90.
WBA Foundation
W i s c o n s i n B r o a d c a s t e r | M a y / J u n e 2 0 1 9 19
Call us with any questions
relating to digital,social media, or
mobile
Tel: 1 902 823 [email protected]
Making Digital Radio Work.
Jeff WeltonNautel Regional Sales ManagerCentral US
Calendar of Events
Wisconsin broadcasters continue to face opportunities and challenges navigating digital, social, and mobile space.
The Jacobs Media/WBA Digital Partnership is here for you. All WBA members will receive the following:
• The weekly “Connect the Dots” Mondaymemo from Seth Resler
• In 2019, station consultations at WBA conferences
• Access to the Digital Hotline
Jacobs Media is as your disposal at (248) 353-9030 or [email protected].
June 12–13, 2019WBA Summer Conference
Osthoff Resort, Elkhart LakeJune 13, 2019The Toolbox
Osthoff Resort, Elkhart Lake
July 24, 2019WBA’s Doug Chickering WIAA Sports Workshop
Brewers vs. RedsMiller Park
Oct. 15–17, 2019Broadcasters Clinic
Madison Marriott West
Jan. 29, 2019Winter Conference and
State Legislative DayMadison Concourse Hotel
April 14–16, 2020 Walker Broadcast
Management Institute
May 2, 2020WBA Awards Gala
Madison Marriott West