FROM GARY WATERS…
I want to say THANKS to all Iowa radio and TV stations that did spots for us this past week. A special thanks to those of you who set up and conducted interviews on Monday... We received many phone calls from Iowa broadcasters all across the state willing to provide extra airtime to recognize the National Guard's 368th birthday. Thank you again and Happy Holidays to all -- SFC Gary L. Waters, Marketing NCO, Iowa National Guard.
FINES
The Licensee of a North Carolina FM Station was fined $19,250 for Misrepresentation…fined for violating Section 1.17 of the FCC Rules - filing altered documents. The Licensee of a North Carolina Non-Comm'l/Educational FM was fined $4,000 for Improper Conduct of a Contest. An Alabama AM was fined $11,000 for EAS and Tower Rule Violations and an Indiana TV station was fined $8,000 for Impeding Pubic Access to the Public Inspection File. This according to the December edition of the FCC Enforcement Monitor, from our Washington law firm, Shaw Pittman, tracking FCC enforcement actions taken across the country.
MID-WINTER REGISTRATIONS MAILED
Registration materials for the January 27th IBA Mid Winter Meeting have been mailed out to all GMs and Sales Managers. If you did not get this mailing, call the IBA office or go to the IBA website at www.iowabroadcasters.com. Included on the agenda is an all day radio/TV Sales Seminar presented by trainer Jim Taszarek and management sessions that morning from 10am-Noon will include: A Look Inside Washington and an FCC Compliance session. Registration deadline is January 20… Plan to attend!
DTV CHANNEL ELECTION DATE LIKELY IN JANUARY
The FCC is likely to set the date for the first round of DTV channel elections (FCC Form 382) for January, rather than in December, as was anticipated. We expect the FCC to announce the date for filing Form 382 soon, and at the same time issue the final Table of Station Information. We'll keep you posted.
IBA OFFERING ACADEMY DISCOUNT
RAB's 3-day Training Academy is coming to Des Moines February 28 - March 2, 2005 with two separate sales programs… Sales Foundations and Advanced Sales Techniques. RAB says these intensive programs are designed and proven to improve the performance your entire sales staff. Tuition is $895.00 per person…But through the generous support of the
Q-Mac/IBA Endowment, IBA is offering all dues paying members a $300.00 per student discount for the first 40 students who register! Along with a $100.00 early registration discount and $100.00 RAB Member Discount the total tuition per person would cost $395.00. Multiple student discounts are also available to participating stations. The Academy will be held at the Sheraton Four Points Hotel on Merle Hay Road in Des Moines. RAB has sent out registration information. For more information, contact Bob Lawrence at RAB, 888-276-2729 or blawrence @rab.com.
ARE YOU A MEMBER?
2005 IBA Membership Dues are due January 15. Be a member in good standing…Support your IBA!
HOTLINES
Two of IBA's most valuable resources are the Legal Hotlines available to all dues paying members. IBA Legal Hotlines are free and at your service year round. In Iowa, IBA members can call Gene LaSuer or Sharon Malheiro at the IBA Legal Hotline in Des Moines at 515-288-2500. Or call our Washington Hotline and speak with David Oxenford at the ShawPittman Law Firm, 202-663-8000. Both Hotlines are available to help IBA Members with their general legal and regulatory questions and concerns…. give them a call!
WHAT DO THEY DO FOR ME?
During campaign '04 the IBA Legal Hotline provided IBA members with over $20,000 in FREE legal counsel. Can you afford to not be a member?
TRANSMITTER SECURITY
We've recently learned of transmitter break-ins and damage in Texas, Florida and Virginia. So far there have been no reported break-ins or damage here in Iowa, however this would be a good time for all to raise awareness of transmitter site security. Anyone experiencing this kind of trouble should report it to the IBA Office so that we can have an "early warning" system in place. At this point it's too early to tell if this is a nationwide problem. Thank you.
