MAB's Annual Meeting & Leadership Retreat Features Industry Leaders!!
You are invited! Attending the 2009 Annual Meeting & Leadership Retreat will give Michigan Radio and TV owners and managers insight into the uncertain future of the industry and how to position themselves for success in the new media landscape. The event will be highlighted by a panel of industry leaders speaking directly to you, the Michigan broadcaster.
more

The Magic of Mackinac
As Mackinac.com says it best... "On your first night, under a sky ablaze with stars, your troubles merely drift away. Wake to the sound of horse hooves on silent streets, tour acres of pristine Mackinac Island beauty by carriage and bicycle, congregate on a stately white column veranda, promenade the lakeshore boardwalk in the moonlight or, simply marvel alone about the wonders of pampered relaxation. Wrapped in all its graces and grand passions, you're on Mackinac Island..." -courtesy of Mackinac.com
more

It's Your Celebration Too! Join the Party With An Ad!
As MAB members and supporters, the 60th Anniversary of MAB is just as much your celebration as it is ours. Join in as we remember the past by placing either a print ad in the Chairman's Banquet Program in July or an electronic ad with a link in the MAB's electronic newsletter.
more

The 90s
The Michigan Association of Broadcasters (MAB) continues a year-long celebration of 60 years of service to Michigan broadcasting. To commemorate this milestone, we will highlight each decade culminating with a celebration during our Annual Meeting and Leadership Retreat at the Grand Hotel in July. Last month, we focused on the 80s (see here); this month, we move into the 90s..
more - including a 90s timeline, photos, memories and audio!

Michigan Law Permits the Direct Deposit of Employee Wages and the Issuance of Electronic Pay Statements
By Candace Randle, Butzel Long

The Michigan Payment of Wages and Fringe Benefits Act (“Act”) states that an employer can electronically pay wages to its employees through direct deposit. An employer can direct deposit an employee’s wages so long as it has the full, free and written consent of an employee that was obtained without intimidation, coercion or fear of reprisal for refusal to permit the electronic deposit.
download pdf

Satellite Sunset
by Fred Jacobs, Jacobs Media

I'm sure this has happened to you. You're at a gathering with non-radio people, and inevitably the conversation turns to what you do for a living. And how many times have you been asked, "Isn't satellite radio killing you guys?" Or "How is AM/FM radio doing now that satellite radio has become so popular?"
download pdf

MAB Offer Members Invaluable Legal and Regulatory Information
via Webcast
Responding to requests for more educational options via webcast, the MAB hosted a Legal and Regulatory webcast with DC broadcast attorney David Oxenford on May 7. Sponsored in part by WKAR-AM/FM/DT, the webcast was held on the campus of Michigan State University, and broadcasters could attend either in person or online.

Oxenford covered a multitude of important issues including localism, EEO, public file and the major challenges and threats on the national level.
more

Washington State Approves Tax Break for Newspapers; MAB Stands Up for Broadcasters in Michigan
Washington Governor Chris Gregoire (D-WA) approved a tax break for the state's struggling newspaper industry. The measure gives newspaper printers and publishers a 40 percent cut in the state's business tax.
more

Get the latest legal updates by reading the MAB Legislative & Legal Monitor!
The MAB Legislative & Legal Monitor is published as neccessary with the latest information important to broadcasters. Not receiving the monitor? Please email Dave Jessup at jessup@michmab.com to sign up TODAY!

Past issues are available in the Members Only section of the MAB website. Click here to view the latest Legislative & Legal Monitors.

House Judiciary Committee Passes Performance Tax
Despite objections of civil rights groups and members of the Congressional Black and Hispanic Caucuses, the House Judiciary Committee passed the Performance Rights Act by a 21-9 margin on Wednesday, May 13. House Resolution 848, introduced by Committee Chairman John Conyers (D-14), will now go to the full House for consideration.
more

Stupak Addresses U.P. Broadcasters
Michigan's Northern and U.P. broadcasters had the opportunity to meet with Congressman Bart Stupak (D-1st), already in Marquette to serve as Northern Michigan University's commencement speaker, and his wife Laurie in April. MAB President/CEO Karole White and Government Relations Manager David Jessup joined over 20 local radio and television broadcasters at the event.
more

Performance Tax: What Does It Mean To Michigan?
A recent report issued by the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) places a price tag on a Performance Tax in Michigan. Based on the average quarter-hour audiences Monday-Sunday, the NAB report pegs the total tax for all Michigan music stations at $62,746,888 for 2009.
more

The Other Quiet Television Digital Conversion
by Larry Estlack, Director of Technology, Michigan Association of Broadcasters
While the over-the-air digital transition of full power TV station has the lion’s share of national publicity, another smaller digital transition is also occurring in U.S. TV stations. As of Monday, May 27, the Lansing-Jackson DMA joined the Grand Rapids-Kalamazoo and Flint-Saginaw-Bay City DMAs in adoption of the new 2 GHz Broadcast Auxiliary Services (BAS) band plan for 2 GHz.
download pdf

Sign-Up Now For 2009 Alternative Broadcast Inspection Program
Can you afford a FCC fine? Can you afford not to take advantage of a great savings opportunity to get your station fully FCC compliant and free from a routine FCC inspection for three years?

The MAB has opened up scheduling for the 2009 Alternative Broadcast Inspection Program (ABIP). The inspections are a no-risk way to check your station's FCC compliance.
more

David Martin, Media Arts & Sciences LLC, met with over 30 members of public broadcasting at WKAR on May 19. David provided a 4 hour workshop on social media. The workshop provided invaluable knowledge required to understand, develop and implement social media strategy.

WKAR says Farewell to Don Pash
Former WKAR classical music producer, Don Pash, passed away on April 15 in Florida at the age of 87. Don came to MSU as a full-time faculty member in 1953 and became the fine arts producer at WKAR-TV when the station went on the air in 1954 – a position he held for nearly 40 years. He produced over 1,000 programs with MSU music students and faculty as well as many unknown professional musicians, just starting to be noticed.
more

Special Call-In Show on CMU Public Radio Discusses Alternative Energy
CMU Public Radio News Director David Nicholas held a special call-in program on May 5 to discuss Alternative Energy and its impact on Michigan citizens. Guest panelists included Peter Sinclair, renewable energy advocate; and Representative Joel Sheltrown (D-West Branch).
more

WTVS Hosts CYBERCHASE Wind-O-Rama at the Cranbrook Institute of Science
In honor of National Kite Month, Detroit Public Television (WTVS) hosted CYBERCHASE Wind-O-Rama on April 18, a celebration of all things weather- and wind-related. This event included a screening of CYBERCHASE Weather Watchers episodes plus activities such as kite-making and flying and making and using wind gauges.
more

Checking in…MABF Internship Program Offers Student EAS Experience
"I'm excited about the opportunity to intern for the MAB and work on the new Emergency Alert System. I've learned a great deal already. It feels good to be a part of something that can have a direct impact on my own community. I'm looking forward to the coming weeks." -Brett King, Michigan State University Student intern, MAB (pictured right)
more

Looking for a Tax Write-Off? Donate to the MAB Foundation and Help your
2009 Taxes!
The MAB Foundation is looking for fun and exciting items to be auctioned as part of the Online Auction. Do you have tickets for sporting events, the theater or movies that you can donate? How about overnight stays, vacation packages, golf or skiing?
more

Reminder: BCS Monthly Training
Broadcast Compliance Services (BCS) assists MAB member stations in meeting EEO outreach requirements through its broad outreach program enabling broadcasters to post and list job openings with thousands of contacts nationwide.

As part of this service, BCS offers monthly conference call training on a weekly basis. Click here for participant information and a schedule as well as complete information on this MAB member service.
more

MAB Legal Hotlines Save Members TIME and MONEY!
Are you taking advantage of your MAB Legal Hotlines? One of the nation's leading communication attorneys, David Oxenford, Davis Wright Tremaine LLP, can help you with your FCC and regulatory questions. It's FREE to you because MAB has a special arrangement and we pay for all members to get their questions answered.

Say your corporate office has an attorney and you use them for advice and counsel. That's great, but you can sound a lot smarter when you call them by getting to understand the issue better by speaking with David first.
more