WASHINGTON, DC-- The National Association of Broadcasters Joint Board of Directors held meetings in Washington, DC on June 7 and 8. Below is a summary of their actions.
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ACTIONS OF THE NAB BOARD OF DIRECTORS
JUNE 7-8, 2011
WASHINGTON, DC
JOINT BOARD OF DIRECTORS
NAB Joint Board Chairman Steve Newberry, president and CEO of Commonwealth Broadcasting, called the meeting to order. After a call of the roll, the minutes of the February 2011 Board meeting were approved.
ELECTIONS
NAB Radio Board Chair Caroline Beasley, executive vice president and chief financial officer of Beasley Broadcast Group, nominated Gordon Smith as NAB president and CEO. After the nomination was seconded, it was approved unanimously by the Board.
NAB Television Board Chair Paul Karpowicz, president of Meredith Corporation, nominated Chief Operating and Financial Officer Janet McGregor as secretary/treasurer. After the nomination was seconded, it was approved unanimously by the Board.
Dispatch Broadcast Group Vice Chairman and CEO Michael Fiorile nominated Paul Karpowicz as joint board chairman. After the nomination was seconded, it was approved unanimously by the Board.
REPORTS FROM JOINT BOARD CHAIR AND PRESIDENT/CEO
Mr. Smith praised outgoing Chair Steve Newberry for his leadership and dedication to the industry and welcomed new Joint Board Chairman Paul Karpowicz. Mr. Newberry thanked the NAB and fellow Board members for their support and discussed the highlights of his tenure.
Mr. Newberry and Mr. Smith updated the Board on association activities, including specific legislative and regulatory matters facing the broadcast business.
Mr. Newberry recognized new members of the NAB Board of Directors and offered praise and special thanks to members of the executive committee whose terms expire at the adjournment of the June meeting.
LEGISLATIVE AND REGULATORY ISSUES NAB Executive Vice President of Government Relations Laurie Knight and NAB Executive Vice President of Legal & Regulatory Affairs Jane Mago briefed the Board on legislative and regulatory issues facing the broadcasting business, specifically spectrum reallocation and performance tax.
Ms. Mago updated the board on regulatory issues, including spectrum policy, ownership rules, content regulation, Emergency Alert System (EAS) and nondiscrimination in advertising.
NAB SHOW UPDATE
NAB Executive Vice President of Conventions and Business Operations Chris Brown updated the Board on activities related to the NAB Show, emphasizing program and exhibitor highlights as well as strong attendance figures for the 2011 show.
FINANCIAL REPORT
Janet McGregor updated the Board on financial matters and the recent NAB/MSTV merger.
NABPAC UPDATE
NAB Political Action Committee Chairman Larry Patrick updated the Board on NAB's fundraising efforts and encouraged members to contribute.
NAB EDUCATION FOUNDATION
NABEF President Marcellus Alexander provided highlights from the 2011 Service to America Awards celebration and noted activities and initiatives of the Foundation, including the recent "Let's Move" campaign featuring renowned artist Beyonce and supporting the White House's health initiative aimed at defeating childhood obesity.
ADVOCACY AND STRATEGIC ALLIANCES
Chris Ornelas, NAB executive vice president, Strategic Planning, briefed the Board on current activities regarding the engagement of third-party organizations, coalitions and think tanks. Mr. Ornelas also discussed new advocacy tools, including online engagement and grass roots initiatives.
CONGRESSIONAL FAMILIES PSAS
NAB Executive Vice President, Communications, Dennis Wharton briefed the Board on the NAB's Congressional Families PSA program. This year, the 25-year program resulted in the participation of nearly 200 Members of Congress representing 46 states. Mr. Wharton encouraged member stations to run the spots, which feature important messages on topics such as literacy, volunteerism and health.
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NAB RADIO BOARD OF DIRECTORS, JUNE 7, 2011
CALL TO ORDER
NAB Radio Board Chairman Caroline Beasley called the meeting to order. After roll call, the minutes of the February 2011 Board meeting were accepted.
ELECTIONS
Following a nomination from Ben Downs, VP and general manager, Bryan Broadcasting Corporation, Caroline Beasley was reelected Radio Board Chair by unanimous vote.
Following a nomination from Deon Levingston, VP and general manager, WBLS/WLIB, Rick Cummings, president of programming for Emmis Communications, was reelected Radio Board First Vice Chairman by unanimous vote.
Following a nomination from Joe Schwartz, president and CEO, Cherry Creek Radio LLC, Don Benson, president and CEO of Lincoln Financial Media, was elected Radio Board Second Vice Chairman by unanimous vote.
Following a nomination from Jessica Marventano, Senior VP Government Affairs for Clear Channel Communications, Marc Morgan, senior VP, chief revenue officer, Cox Media Group was elected to the Radio Board's major group representative seat by unanimous vote.
LEGISLATIVE AND REGULATORY UPDATE
Gordon Smith and Laurie Knight provided the Radio Board with an update on the status of several legislative issues, including performance tax and radio-enabled cell phones.
Jane Mago updated the Board on FCC-related issues including LPFM and FM translators, EAS and nondiscrimination in advertising.
Michelle Lehman reported on NAB's marketing efforts related to educating consumers on radio-enabled mobile devices.
NRSC DISCUSSION
Lynn Claudy briefed the Board on the National Radio Systems Committee's (NRSC) role in setting standards and guidelines and advancing technology.
RADIO MEMBERSHIP AND ACTIVITIES
NAB Executive Vice President of Radio John David briefed the Board on the status of membership and activities related to the radio department, including a recap of NAB Show radio programs and plans for upcoming events such as the NAB Futures Summit and the Radio Show.
INTRODUCTION OF NAB'S NEW CTO
Kevin Gage, NAB new chief technology officer, introduced himself to the Board and discussed his goals and objectives for embracing technology as a path for securing continued success for local radio and television broadcasting.
NAB PRIORITIES DISCUSSION
The Board had a lengthy discussion on prioritizing key NAB objectives going forward for sustaining the vibrancy of free and local radio.
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TELEVISION BOARD OF DIRECTORS, JUNE 8, 2011
CALL TO ORDER
Television Board Chairman Paul Karpowicz, president of Meredith Corporation - Local Media Group, called the Television Board to order.
After a call of the roll, minutes of the February 2011 Board meeting were approved.
ELECTIONS
David Barrett, president and CEO, Hearst Television Inc., nominated Marci Burdick, senior vice president of Broadcast and Cable for Schurz Communications, as chairman of the Television Board. After the nomination was seconded, it was approved unanimously by the Television Board.
Raycom Media's President and CEO Paul McTear nominated The Dispatch Broadcast Group Vice Chairman and CEO Michael Fiorile as first vice chair of the Television Board. After the nomination was seconded, it was approved unanimously by the Television Board.
Michael Fiorile nominated Dunia Shive, President and CEO, Belo Corp., as second vice chair of the Television Board. After the nomination was seconded, it was approved unanimously by the Television Board.
Mr. Karpowicz noted that Jack Abernethy, CEO, Fox Television Stations, Inc., will assume the designated network seat on the executive committee.
SPECTRUM DISCUSSION
Lynn Claudy reported on recent FCC sentiments concerning spectrum reallocation and discussed the notion of voluntary vs. involuntary as it relates to incentive auctions.
Gordon Smith provided the TV Board with his insight on specific legislative and regulatory issues related to spectrum, noting the markup of legislation (S.911) in the Senate scheduled for today. Mr. Smith elaborated on ongoing efforts by NAB to educate lawmakers and the public on the importance of preserving spectrum for free and local broadcasting.
Mr. Claudy reported on ATSC activities and current and future standards for television broadcasters.
LEGISLATIVE AND REGULATORY ISSUES
Jane Mago and Laurie Knight updated the Board on regulatory and legislative issues related to retransmission consent. Ms. Knight also provided updates to the Board on legislation designed to curb "rogue websites."
INTRODUCTION OF NAB'S NEW CTO
Kevin Gage, NAB's new chief technology officer, introduced himself to the Board and discussedhis goals and objectives for embracing technology as a path for securing continued success for local radio and television broadcasting.
NAB RESOLUTION
Paul Karpowicz updated the Board on NAB's recent merger with MSTV and introduced the following resolution, which was adopted unanimously:
Whereas on this day, June 8, 2011, the National Association of Broadcasters is holding its June Board of Directors meeting;
Whereas the NAB Television Board acknowledges the recent merger between NAB and the Association for Maximum Service Television;
Whereas MSTV has served for decades as a recognized industry leader in broadcasting technology and spectrum policy issues, and under the leadership of President David Donovan has ensured that the American public receives the highest quality, interference free, over-the-air local television signals;
Whereas MSTV under David Donovan's leadership served as a driving force for advanced over-the-air digital television in the United States;
The NAB Television Board hereby recognizes David Donovan for a decade of dedicated leadership in shepherding through a successful DTV transition, his commitment to ensuring broadcasting's bright future on mobile platforms, and his relentless advocacy for free and local television.
TELEVISION MEMBERSHIP AND ACTIVITIES
Marcellus Alexander briefed the board on membership status and ongoing activities related to television, highlighting upcoming events such as the Small Market Television Exchange, Futures Summit and various training programs.
ALABAMA STORM COVERAGE RESEARCH
Billy McDowell, VP, Research for Raycom Media, revealed research showing that television and radio were the overwhelmingly dominant sources for informing people on recent storms that ravaged parts of Alabama.
About NAB
The National Association of Broadcasters is the premier advocacy association for America's broadcasters. NAB advances radio and television interests in legislative, regulatory and public affairs. Through advocacy, education and innovation, NAB enables broadcasters to best serve their communities, strengthen their businesses and seize new opportunities in the digital age. Learn more at www.nab.org.
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