NJBA Weekly Newsletter Friday, March 30, 2007

NJBA Survey In Field

The Survey of New Jersey Radio Listeners sponsored by the NJBA is in the field. Edison Research, a well known and respected research company, was hired by the NJBA to find out what New Jersey residents want from their local radio stations. What do we do right and what should we be changing? In addition to telephone surveying, starting shortly, all radio stations are requested to invite their listeners to a special website, which will permit listeners to answer questions to supplement the telephone survey. The survey committee is being headed by Josh Gertzog, formally of Nassau Broadcasting. The Board of Directors of NJBA hopes that all member stations will cooperate in airing the invitations to participate in the survey. The more participants the more accurate the results. 

NJBA Fights Tax On Arbitron

NJBA President Phil Roberts along with lobbyists from the Marcus Group met with members of the Corzine Administration this week at the State House. Broadcasters are looking for the Tax People to come up with language that will not require a payment of 7 percent sales tax on Arbitron Research.  The Governor’s staff people were very sympatric to the broadcaster’s position. The very real question is the question of coverage. Is a report like an Arbitron report covered under the law or not? It is NJBA’s position that the survey is custom enough so that it is not covered. We should have a decision from the Governor’s office or the treasury next month. The NJBA Survey is not subject to the tax as it is a totally custom survey.  

More NJ Radio Advertising On The Way

The NJBA is working with both the Treasurer’s office and with the Governor to try and direct more State paid advertising to New Jersey radio stations at the expense of both New York and Philadelphia stations. We are requesting that the Division of Purchase and Property require, as part of an advertising RFP, that agency responders be required to show that they have the experience and ability to buy New Jersey radio as part of a statewide buy. One of the ways agencies could show their abilities is by showing their New Jersey radio purchases in the past.  The state is very sympatric to the idea of requiring this kind of experience and it can only bring more awareness and more money to New Jersey Broadcasters. It will take several months to implement this program, but NJBA will be monitoring it.  

Remember: The Best of The Best Entry Deadline is April 5, at 5:00pm. Winners will be announced at the Mid-Atlantic States Conference.  

The Howard L. Green Humanitarian Nominations Deadline May 11, at 5:00pm.

Reminders: Keep your FCC inspection up to date.  It’s the cheapest insurance you can get.

Get QuickNews via E-mail. It's Fast and Free. E-mail njba@njba.com and in the subject line put the words "subscribe QuickNews". That's all there is to it.