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MAB Says Goodbye to Former FCC Chairman and Michigan Broadcast Pioneer James H. Quello It is with a heavy heart that the Michigan Association of Broadcasters (MAB) announces the death of our friend, Michigan native, broadcast pioneer, MAB Past President and former FCC Chairman, James H. Quello. Quello died Sunday, January 24 surrounded by friends and family at his Alexandria, VA home after heart and kidney failure. He was 95. The Michigan Connection Quello, a World War II Lieutenant and Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Army and a war hero, started his career in radio broadcasting immediately after returning from Europe in 1945. He worked in the promotions department at WXYZ-AM (Detroit) and two years later moved to rival station WJR-AM (Detroit). He later became Vice President and General Manager of WJR-AM in 1960. Quello was one of the original MAB members. He supported and helped to build the association from a small group of radio managers looking for representation on legal issues to what it currently is today - a nationally-recognized association representing more than 300 Michigan radio and television stations. Jim served as president of the MAB in 1959 and credited the MAB, his colleagues and friends from Michigan for mounting a campaign to get him appointed to the FCC in 1974. He served there until 1997 when he retired. For eleven months in 1993, Quello was the Acting Chairman of the FCC. He was honored with the prestigious MAB Lifetime Achievement Award in 1993 and many other awards too numerous to mention is this brief article. You could always find our friend Jim attending MAB conferences - catching up with old Michigan broadcast friends during a reception or participating in a tennis match - Jim was one of us and we will miss him. On Friday, January 22, MAB President/CEO Karole White spoke briefly with Jim: “Weak and frail he used his limited breath to be uplifting to me. He thanks his friends in the MAB, ‘The Greatest Broadcasting Association in the States,’ he said. I'm to tell everyone he loves them and good bye (from Jim).” Funeral arrangements are pending. A Photo Tribute Cutlines (clockwise from top left) (l-r) Former FCC Chairman William E. Kennard, Jim Quello and Karole White during a reception at Michigan State University. Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the MAB in 1999 at the Grand Hotel are (l-r) John Anderson, MAB President 1973; Michael Lareau, MAB President 1966; James H. Quello, MAB President 1959 and former FCC Commissioner; and Peter Kizer, MAB President 1974. Quello addresses MAB members during a Conference. Always a fan of tennis, Quello could often be found playing in a tournament on the tennis courts during an MAB summer conference. Also pictured with Quello is Ross Biederman. During the 1987 Congressional Dinner in Washington DC (l-r) Mary Quello; Commissioner James H. Quello; Debbie Dingell; Congressman John Dingell; and Eddie Fritts, former NAB President/CEO. In honor of Quello's birthday in April 2001, MAB made a pledge to the James H. and Mary B. Quello Center for Telecommunication Management and Law at Michigan State University. Pictured left to right are Ross Biederman, Quello and Karole White.

MAB Newsletter Now On The Web!

The Michigan Association of Broadcasters official Newsletter The Michigan Broadcaster is now being produced in an electronic format. Read the January 2010 issue HERE.

MAB Member Political Resources

MAB Political Webcast, Time Request Form + Political Broadcasting Guide.

MAB's Washington Legal Hotline Attorney David Oxenford of Davis Wright Tremaine, along with the FCC's Bobby Baker presented a webinar on political broadcasting rules November 10, 2009. An archived copy of the webcast along with a political time request form and political guide (new for 2009!) are more resources available in the Members Only section.

MAB Members Only: David Oxenford is our Washington Legal Hotline Attorney and is available to answer questions free of charge about political advertising, federal regulations and other matters. Call the MAB for details.

MAB Recommends All Michigan Broadcasters Register with FCC Disaster Information Reporting System (DIRS)

Through the redesigned Disaster Information Reporting System (DIRS), the FCC is asking communications companies, including broadcast, to voluntarily provide information about disruptions during a crisis. The agency will then share the company’s specific information only with the Homeland Security Department for situational awareness purposes. The individual company’s information will not be publicly released or shared. The MAB fully supports the efforts of the FCC's DIRS and recommends that every Michigan broadcaster participate. Click HERE to register.

Michigan TV Viewing "Strong as Ever" : MAB Releases TV Research Results

A survey of 500 Michigan citizens reveals that an overwhelming majority of viewers say television remains as a dominant entertainment medium, and that local news and weather are vitally important. The research project, conducted by the William Donohue Group, took a detailed look at viewing habits and the use of emerging media by citizens from all parts of the state. Click HERE for the news release.

The FCC has recently fined stations for failure to comply with EEO Rules. MAB legal counsel David Oxenford of Davis Wright Tremaine has provided a thorough guide to the FCC EEO rules, how they are applied, and how you can comply. This document is available to Members Only.

MAB provides excellent legal counsel through three Hotlines. David Oxenford offers guidance on federal regulatory (FCC) issues; John Ronayne is your resource for questions about Michigan law, Freedom of Information or access to public records; Terry Kasiborski will help you with employment law questions and problems. This valuable service is available to MAB Members at no charge. Click here for Legal Hotline access.

Looking for a PSA? Stations can now download PSAs from various charities.