NJBA Weekly Newsletter Friday, April 24, 2009  

PPM Methodology Still a Concern

Many questions still remain as to Arbitron’s commitment to transforming PPM into a reliable and fully accredited audience measurement service.  In addition to concerns raised by the FCC, Arbitron will need to fix what's caused PPM data to be skewed and perhaps unreliable in our marketplace in the first place. For example, the dilemma caused from the propagation of two different currencies and ratings methodologies (which produce two different ratings results), inadequate sample sizes, sampling device placement, etc., which must be addressed between New Jersey Broadcasters and Arbitron.  New Jersey broadcasters are not opposed to the new PPM service, provided the deployment of PPMs is consistent, the methodology is sound, the sample size is adequate and reflective of targeted  population size, and, of course, the data is properly interpreted. New Jersey Broadcasters want to obtain the most accurate listenership data possible and the NJBA will continue work to achieve that for all New Jersey broadcasters and consumers. Arbitron’s radio rating system is the solitary means by which New Jersey radio stations and their advertisers determine commercial spot valuation. Accurate and statistically reliable, uniform ratings compilations and market information, is critical in establishing advertising rates. Largely because of New Jersey’s geographic location, our markets can easily be confused given our proximity to Manhattan and Philadelphia, making accurate listenership measurement even more important to the broadcast industry in New Jersey and the constituencies they serve.  

Radio gets 84 minutes a day

Inside Radio reports that as part of a year-long, Nielsen-funded media consumption study, hundreds of consumers in six cities were followed for two days to track media exposure. Radio gets more than half of the average 164 minutes spent each day with any form of audio. 

New NJBA Radio Spots Are Ready on NJBA Web Site

As promised, the first “cuts” of the NJBA’s radio spots trumpeting the value of New Jersey Radio are available starting next week on our web site for your station’s voluntary use in their random rotation matrix. The new campaign is designed to heighten awareness of NJ radio’s unparalleled and powerful marketing impact, commercial sponsorship opportunities, diverse entertainment and vital information delivery across the Garden State. The station-generic 60 second spots are available to NJBA members and can be downloaded directly from our web-site (www.NJBA.com) under membership services. Any member that would like to have a customized spot cut should contact NJBA President Paul Rotella at 609-860-0111 to arrange for a custom tag highlighting their station. More spots are in production and we hope to have new content delivered to you on a quarterly basis. Suggestions and comments are welcome. The NJBA would like to thank Millennium Radio and their terrific staff for making studio time available to produce these spots (as well as our popular PEP spots) and especially recognize popular DJ Matt Ryan of Millennium Radio’s SoJo 104.9 for his dedicated service and the generous donation of his time and production talents to help his fellow New Jersey broadcasters.  

NJBA Alternative Broadcast Inspection Program 

In this challenging economic environment the New Jersey Broadcasters Association is adamant about protecting your station from a disabling monetary fine due to operational or facility violations that you may not be aware of!  This letter and the enclosed brochure explain our NJBA Alternative Broadcast Inspection Program.  When you sign up your station/s for an NJBA-ABIP Inspection, the FCC is notified that your station is formally participating in the NJBA-ABIP and will therefore be operating at a higher level of station regulatory compliance than might ordinarily be the case.  In return, the FCC has agreed that any station which successfully completes our NJBA-ABIP program has freed itself, with some exceptions, from the risk of FCC inspections for a period of three years, as well as from monetary fines that might have resulted from an FCC inspection that was not preceded by a successful ABIP inspection. Your station's successful participation in the NJBA-ABIP program is clear evidence of the Station's positive attitude toward regulatory compliance – a significant factor in your favor in the event the Licensee is ever involved in mitigating a violation with the Commission.  A station that participates in the NJBA-ABIP Program receives the same type of input that for example an outside accountant/auditor provides to your financial department; namely the NJBA-ABIP Inspector verifies that adequate FCC Rules compliance systems are in place (or not), that station personnel are knowledgeable and diligent about compliance (or they are not), that your facility is operating as licensed (or not) and that certain things need to be attended to (or not). To request a copy of the agreement, please contact Mary at 1-888-657-2346. 

NJBA Convention Set for June 7^th & 8^th, 2010 and will be held at Trump Plaza Hotel & Casino, Atlantic City

As you know, the NJBA is postponing its 2009 conference for one year. We are happy to announce that the 2010 conference has been rescheduled for June 7 & 8, 2010 and be held at Trump Plaza, right on the board walk in Atlantic City. Please note the new 2010 date. Our Board of Directors made the very difficult, but most prudent decision to postpone our annual convention because of the economy and since the Trump Marina renovations were not going to be complete in time for our conference, which was scheduled for this June. The NJBA will continue to work to maintain fiscal excellence in our association and we look forward to a great convention in 2010.

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