Something New: One-On-One Q&A's For Public Radio/TV Members With Tom Davis

By Tom Davis, One of TDGA's "Go-To" Experts on Underwriting Concerns For Non-Commercial Broadcasters

I just saw the Mailbag entry entitled "After Tom Davis- Where Can I Go For Public Radio Underwriting Advice?" Not knowing who the question came from, I asked Larry if I could respond as a short article and he told me "absolutely." So here goes.

There are several sources for "guidance" on legal issues regarding underwriting acknowledgements on public radio and TV. One source is the FCC itself, on its web page at: http://www.fcc.gov/mb/audio/nature.html#ANNOUNCEMENTS. The content is a bit "dense" and may or may not help you directly, but it is a place to begin your search.

DEI (formerly "The Development Exchange, Inc."), public radio's nonprofit fundraising and marketing service organization that organizes the Public Radio Development and Marketing Conference ("PRDMC") each year, also provides guidance for public stations and station personnel, at their web site at www.deiworksite.org.

If your station is a member, you can log on and find MANY answers to your questions. Ask your station manager if your station is a member. If not, currently station membership costs between $500 and $6095 per year, depending on station size. Services include access to the DEI Worksite, access to the On-Demand Webinar Archive, subscriptions to eReports, subscriptions to DEI This Week, Discounted rates to the Public Radio Development and Marketing Conference and Pre-Conference Academy Workshops, Benchmarks for Public Radio Net Revenue Report, Vendor discounts through the DEI Partner Program, and more. If your station has a full Station membership you may also access live phone and email consultations with DEI advisors, and some other services.

Another possible resource is to join and read the "PRADO" Listserve. You and/or your station can join the organization for just $60 per year. However you CAN use just their Listserve for free, by going online to www.pradoweb.org and clicking on the "Listerv" link for instructions.

And, of course, jioning TDGA is still an outstanding value considering they cover both commercial and non-commercial station materials. And at $37.50 for the first year ($30.00 per year thereafter)- it's hard not to consider it as  one of the "musts" if you're serious about keeping up with your own broadcasting interests. I mentioned this option frequently when I take to the various public radio listserves that populate the Internet. And like the TV pitchmen say: Wait- there's more..."

Lastly but not least, while I am not an attorney, I do try to stay abreast of current FCC rulings and "industry thinking" regarding underwriting copy issues, and I am always open to questions. You can e-mail me at any time at "navigating@earthlink.net " (our direct-line e-mail address) and I will try to answer your question(s). Let me know how else I can help!  TDGA has promised they'll include many of the Q&A's as part of their popular Mailbag feature, which means you cqan all "evesdrop" on our one-on-one exchanges (where appropriate).