Personal information
Current company: South Dakota Broadcasters Association
Position: President
Location: Pierre, South Dakota
Place of Birth: Huron, South Dakota. Grew up outside of Sioux Falls, SD. Worked in Ohio at a school system for five years after college. We returned to SD when Sam was born.
Date of Birth: that’s a security answer on too many websites for me to answer. I’m 53.
Spouse/Kid/Personal info: Married 30 years to Marla, two children (Sam 24 and Jesse 21). Sam’s playing basketball overseas and is currently in Japan. Jesse just got married and is taking the board exams to be a registered nurse.
College: University of South Dakota, double major in political science and mass communications. Graduate work in public administration at USD and Cleveland State.
Favorite band or artist: the Rolling Stones. I’ve seen them three times and while they were better 40 years ago, their band is still tight and they’re still rocking. Keith Richards says about being 70, “just keep stringing it and play low.” Probably good advice for all of us. His autobiography is fabulous.
Favorite movies: too many to list
Favorite books: I’m usually reading two or three at a time, mainly biographies, historical narratives, business, self-improvement, political thrillers, murders, and espionage page turners (James Patterson, CJ Box, Ken Follet, Jim Grant/Lee Child, Harlan Coben, etc.)
Sports Team Preferences: It’s not easy, but I grew up a Vikings and Twins fan and remain one. Adrian Peterson helps.
Hobbies/Passions: family, friends, travel, reading, golf, food, and drink.
Questions
1. How did you get started in the business?
I’ve owned an Association Management Company since 1990 and run associations and lobby for a living. I became the Executive Director for the South Dakota Broadcasters in 1995. Everything that I’ve learned about broadcasting I’ve learned from our members, the Board, and from the other Execs. There’s a radio station in the front of our office building. Anytime I want answers or insight, I just walk down the hall.
2. Are local broadcasters doing anything special to get ready for the 2013 hurricane season?
Not in South Dakota (kidding). Broadcasters have a long history of covering storms or weather related disasters, whether it’s for forecasts, emergency response, continuing coverage, or even post-disaster fundraising and recovery. It’s one powerful way that they serve their community. In SD, our broadcasters are building backup capabilities and system redundancy mainly in preparation for snow storms and ice storms and I think that’s going on all over the country, no matter the disaster. In a couple of states (Nevada and Illinois), the broadcasters have recently received first responder or first informer designation because the larger emergency response community wants to codify the broadcasters role during a disaster to ensure that they can operate. That designation was accomplished because of the state broadcaster associations and their members. I don’t know if that’s “anything special,” but broadcasters are certainly getting more attention and credit for something they’ve always contributed to their communities and continue to recognize the importance of.
3. On average, what kind of balance do state broadcast associations have between local/regional operators and national groups in terms of membership and participation?
I’m not sure there is an average answer as the answer varies tremendously by state. I do know that neither small nor large groups will participate in a state broadcaster association if the association doesn’t bring value to their members. And owners, stations, and staff are probably more discerning than ever as resources are tight. My experience is that association participation is like most other things – it comes down to people. Either the owner/managers want to get involved and advocate for their industry or they don’t. The best ones do. Our job is to channel that knowledge and energy to where it can do the most good. My experience is that the states are great at it and that the issues affecting local operators and national groups are pretty similar.
4. What is the balance between television and radio at a typical state association, and how do the two generally get along?
For us it’s about an 80 to 20 split between radio and TV. Speaking from my own experience, I think the relationships as good as it’s ever been. There’s certainly different issues affecting each, but the legislative and regulatory fights are pretty similar and the battlegrounds are the same (Congress, FCC, the state legislatures). I know that when we asked for help the past couple of years, our radio stations ran spectrum spots and our TV stations ran performance tax spots. It wasn’t really surprising, but it was certainly gratifying to see the cooperation.
5. You’ve had experience fending off state advertising taxes – what are the key strategies to winning this battle?
Truth and ongoing communication and relationships with legislators whether it be from the broadcaster, the lobbyist, or the executive. Ad taxes are ALWAYS motivated by a desire for funds and lawmakers would rather close exemptions than raise taxes. That means there will probably always be scrutiny. But for tax policy to be effective it should be fair, certain, simple, transparent, and the costs to collect it should be minimal. A tax on advertising accomplishes none of those. And advertising is an economic amplifier. Inhibiting or lessening the ability of business to tell consumers about their products is counterproductive for a lot of reasons.
6. What can the US Congress and the FCC do to help foster a vibrant and thriving local broadcast industry?
Engage with the industry and stop trying to micromanage the station’s internal adn external economies.
