WASHINGTON, D.C. - The National Association of Broadcasters Board of Directors met this week for its regularly scheduled summer board meeting. Below is a summary of actions taken by the Board:
ACTIONS OF THE NAB BOARD OF DIRECTORS
JUNE 4-5, 203
WASHINGTON, DC
JOINT BOARD OF DIRECTORS
June 4, 2013
CALL TO ORDER
NAB Joint Board Chairman Paul Karpowicz, president of Meredith Corporation - Local Media Group, called the meeting to order. After roll call and a welcome to new Board members, the minutes of the January 2013 Board meeting were approved.
ELECTIONS
NAB Joint Board Chairman Paul Karpowicz, president of Meredith Corporation - Local Media Group, nominated Gordon Smith as NAB president and CEO. After the nomination was seconded, it was approved unanimously by the Board.
Mr. Karpowicz nominated Chief Financial Officer Joy Whitlow as NAB secretary/treasurer. After the nomination was seconded, it was approved unanimously by the Board.
Michael Fiorile, vice chairman and CEO of The Dispatch Group, nominated Charles Warfield, president and COO, YMF Media, as NAB joint board chairman. After the nomination was seconded, it was approved unanimously by the Board.
OKLAHOMA
Bill Coleman, owner of Ponca City, Oklahoma-based Team Radio, thanked broadcasters for the lifeline support provided by local radio and television stations to the victims of devastating tornadoes in Oklahoma.
CHAIRMAN'S REPORT
Mr. Karpowicz welcomed new Board members and saluted the NAB Education Foundation for shining a light on broadcasters’ extraordinary public service at the Service to America Awards event the previous night.
Mr. Karpowicz also recognized Marty Franks, executive vice president, Planning, Policy and Government Relations for CBS Corporation; Caroline Beasley, executive vice president and CFO of Beasley Broadcast Group and Steve Newberry, president and CEO Commonwealth Broadcasting Corporation who are exiting the Board.
EXECUTIVE REPORT
NAB President and CEO Gordon Smith thanked Mr. Karpowicz for his service to the Board and welcomed Mr. Warfield and other new Board members.
Mr. Smith commended NAB staff for “hitting on all cylinders” and praised the success of the NAB Show for its prominence as the premier industry event and for keeping NAB in secure financial standing.
Mr. Smith reflected on NAB’s effective strategies related to advocacy and discussed the challenges related to partisan gridlock on Capitol Hill.
Mr. Smith noted that despite broadcasting’s challenges, the unique ‘one-to-everyone’ transmission architecture of local radio and TV stations gives broadcasters a unique advantage over our competitors.
Mr. Smith discussed NAB’s mental health PSA and awareness campaign currently in development, pointing out that mental health was the common thread running through recent incidences of violence in America. Mr. Smith also discussed his participation in the White House National Mental Health Conference and broadcasters’ role in the national dialogue on violence brought about by the tragic school shooting in Newtown, CT.
NABPAC REPORT
NABPAC Chairman Larry Patrick updated the Board on activities and fundraising efforts of NAB's political action committee.
LEGISLATIVE AND REGULATORY UPDATE
NAB Executive Vice President of Legal & Regulatory Affairs Jane Mago and Executive Vice President of Strategic Planning Rick Kaplan discussed recent leadership and staff changes at the FCC. Ms. Mago updated the Board on regulatory issues related to media ownership and indecency.
NAB Executive Vice President of Government Relations Kelly Cole provided an overview of congressional activities related to broadcast issues, including proposals to reduce deductibility of advertising as part of tax reform, calls for research on the impact of violence in the media and copyright reform. Ms. Cole briefed the Board on NAB’s support of Reporter Shield legislation now gaining traction in light of the Department of Justice’s action against the Associated Press.
TECHNOLOGY UPDATE
NAB Chief Technology Officer Kevin Gage briefed the Board on audio and video technologies including developments in Mobile EAS, NextRadio App and AM revitalization. Mr. Gage updated the Board on NAB Labs activities related to the development of educational programs and its involvement with international standards organizations.
NAB SHOW UPDATE
NAB Executive Vice President of Conventions and Business Operations Chris Brown recapped highlights and final numbers from the 2013 NAB Show, held April 6-11 in Las Vegas, and updated the Board on prospects for the 2014 NAB Show, which is already showing strong exhibit sales.
WE ARE BROADCASTERS CAMPAIGN
Executive Vice President of Marketing Michelle Lehman outlined objectives and preliminary results of the “We Are Broadcasters” campaign created to help define and promote the unique role that local radio and television broadcasters play in communities.
NAB EDUCATION FOUNDATION
NABEF President Marcellus Alexander provided highlights from the 2013 Service to America Awards celebration and noted there was a record number of members of Congress in attendance. He also briefed the Board on activities and initiatives of the Foundation.
FINANCIAL REPORT
NAB Chief Financial Officer Joy Whitlow updated the Board on financial matters and budget-related issues.
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RADIO BOARD OF DIRECTORS
June 4, 2013
CALL TO ORDER
NAB Radio Board Chairman Don Benson, president and CEO of Lincoln Financial Media, called the meeting to order. After roll call, the minutes of the January 2013 Board meeting were accepted.
ELECTIONS
Following a nomination from Ben Downs, vice president and general manager, Bryan Broadcasting Corporation, Don Benson was re-elected Radio Board chair by unanimous vote.
Following a nomination from Joe Schwartz, president and CEO of Cherry Creek Radio LLC, John Beck, senior vice president and market manager, Emmis Communications St. Louis, was re-elected Radio Board first vice chairman by unanimous vote.
Following a nomination from Roger Utnehmer, president and CEO, Nicolet Broadcasting, Inc., Jose Valle, president, Univision Radio, was elected Radio Board second vice chairman by unanimous vote.
Following a nomination from Bill McElveen, director of New Media Strategies, Glory Communications, Inc., Dan Mason, president and CEO, CBS Radio, was elected to the Radio Board's major group representative seat by unanimous vote.
RADIO MEMBERSHIP AND EVENTS
NAB Executive Vice President of Radio John David provided an update to the Radio Board on membership initiatives and NAB Show highlights. Mr. David updated the Radio Board on plans for the 2013 Radio Show, and Chris Brown reported on the status of sales and sponsorships for the event. The Radio Show will take place September 18-20 in Orlando.
LEGISLATIVE AND REGULATORY UPDATE
PERFORMANCE TAX
Kelly Cole briefed the Radio Board on the performance fee issue, highlighting the growing support for the Local Radio Freedom Act. Gordon Smith pointed out that privately negotiated free market agreements occurring between radio companies and record labels demonstrate lack of need for legislation on this issue. Ms. Cole said NAB will continue to engage with House and Senate Judiciary Committees on the performance tax issue, webcasting and other music licensing issues and oppose any congressionally mandated performance tax on local radio.
AM RADIO
Jane Mago commended FCC Commissioner Ajit Pai’s public support for AM Radio "revitalization" and outlined possible short and long-term initiatives being considered for AM Radio. Ben Downs followed with a presentation detailing initiatives, solutions and challenges related to AM Radio.
TECHNOLOGY UPDATE
Kevin Gage briefed the Radio Board on NAB Labs activities related to AM all digital testing.
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TELEVISION BOARD OF DIRECTORS
June 5, 2013
CALL TO ORDER
Television Board Chair Marci Burdick, senior vice president of Broadcasting and Cable, Schurz Communications, Inc., called the Television Board to order. After a call of the roll, minutes of the January 2013 Board meeting were approved.
ELECTIONS
Dave Lougee, president of Gannett Broadcasting, nominated Marci Burdick as chairman of the Television Board. After the nomination was seconded, it was approved unanimously by the Television Board.
Michael Fiorile, vice chairman and CEO of The Dispatch Group, nominated Dunia Shive, president and CEO, Belo Corp., as first vice chair of the Television Board. After the nomination was seconded, it was approved unanimously by the Television Board.
Brian Lawlor, senior vice president, Television, The E.W. Scripps Company, nominated Michael Fiorile as second vice chair of the Television Board. After the nomination was seconded, it was approved unanimously by the Television Board. Ms. Burdick noted that Brandon Burgess, chairman and CEO, ION Media Networks, will assume the designated network seat on the executive committee.
TECHNOLOGY UPDATE
Sam Matheny, vice president, Policy & Innovation, Capitol Broadcasting Company, Inc. reported on developments and advantages related to the Mobile Emergency Alerting System and encouraged television stations to launch the technology.
LEGISLATIVE AND REGULATORY UPDATE
Rick Kaplan updated the Board on regulatory issues related to incentive auctions, ongoing spectrum proceedings at the FCC and NAB efforts to promote mobile TV.
Kelly Cole briefed the Board on congressional oversight activities related to the spectrum incentive auction and NAB advocacy on retransmission consent and STELA reauthorization.
Jane Mago updated the Board on FCC activities related to retransmission consent and NAB’s continued efforts to emphasize the fundamental fairness of the present retransmission consent system. Ms. Mago also updated the Board on copyright issues.
TELEVISION MEMBERSHIP AND ACTIVITIES
Marcellus Alexander briefed the Board on membership status and ongoing activities and events related to television including the upcoming Small Market Television Exchange, NAB Futures and various training programs.
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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