DTV Soft Tests Bring Hard Questions
by Diane Kniowski, Chairman, Michigan Association of Broadcasters and President/General Manager, WOOD-TV/WOTV-TV, Grand Rapids.

As Michigan television stations begin a series of DTV Soft Tests, the MAB is doing its part to serve their members and the citizens of Michigan. Over the next two months, the MAB will be an active partner with all entities to insure a smooth transition on February 17, 2009.

Michigan stations are all working together for these soft tests. Each region has submitted a plan for the next two months.
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Can’t live without your associates?
Tell them in a big way. Nominations for Associate of the Year are being accepted by the MAB Board. There’s no better way to tell them how much you appreciate their hard work.
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Looking for the Best!
Do you know a Broadcast Engineer who should be honored for his or her outstanding contributions to the industry? The MAB Board is accepting nominations for this year’s Carl E. Lee Engineering award. The awards will be presented during the Engineering Luncheon at the 2009 Great Lakes Broadcasting Conference & Expo.
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Ellcessor Named WDET-FM General Manager

Greater Media's WRIF Among First To Offer New iPhone Technology

Goodbyes: Anne O'Neill Patten, Dave Walker and William E. Kuiper, Sr.

"W.T.D.A."
by Fred Jacobs, President, Jacobs Media
Many components of the old model are breaking down. The time-honored relationship between ratings and sales is eroding. Advertisers are looking for value and accountability. Just selling them 60-second spots (or billboards or Yellow Pages ads) falls short of a 360° digital solution that yields results.
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Careless Employee Handbook Language Can Inadvertently Expand Employee Rights
by Terry Kasiborski, Butzel Long
A recent court decision involving the Family and Medical Leave Act (“FMLA”) demonstrates how employee handbook language may inadvertently expand and create employee rights and expose an employer to liability that did not actually exist under a statute. While the case happened to involve the FMLA, its lessons are equally applicable to other statutes affording rights to employees.
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Copper Theft Legislation Approved
Legislation to help curb the theft of copper was approved on Thursday, December 18, during the 2008 lame duck session. The Michigan legislature is tackling the growing problem of copper theft by approving legislation the Michigan Association of Broadcasters has been touting over the past year. The bill creates a paper trail on copper sales to catch and deter criminals from destroying vital broadcast infrastructure.
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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 Dan Kelley at dkelley@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.

Dingell Replaced as Energy and Commerce Chair
The Michigan Association of Broadcasters (MAB) has been following closely Rep. Henry Waxman's (D-Calif) bid to replace John Dingell (D-MI 15th) as chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. On November 20, the House Democratic Caucus, in a secret ballot, voted to place Congressman Waxman in charge of the powerful committee.

Waxman won the panel chair by a 137-122 vote, capping an epic battle within the Democratic Caucus on Capitol Hill. Dingell, the longest serving member in the House, had been the top Democrat on the panel for 28 years.
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WCMU’s Mister Rogers' Neighborhood Sweater Drive Keeps Area Warm
The WCMU Mister Rogers' Neighborhood Sweater Drive wrapped up November 30 bringing in more than 4,000 sweaters for area citizens in need. In two years now the sweater drive has collected a total of over 9,000 sweaters.

Throughout November, WCMU partnered with organizations all over their coverage area and collected new or gently-worn sweaters to be distributed to those in need.
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Governor Granholm Joins WEMU’S ‘First Friday Environmental Segment’
Governor Jennifer Granholm joined WEMU’s Morning Edition host David Fair, and Michigan Environmental Council President, Lana Pollack, on the air for WEMU’s regular First Friday Environmental Segment Friday, December 5.
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WGVU Productions Receives Ava, Accolade Awards
WGVU has announced that eight of its productions have received recognition in two international award competitions. The international Ava Awards recognizes oustanding work by creative professionals involved in the concept, writing, direction, shooting and editing of audio-visual materials and programs. The Accolade Competition honors outstanding craft and creativity in film, video, television and commercials.
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Save 12 for 12...MAB Offers a 12% Discount for 12 Months of Membership!!
MAB celebrates 60 years of advocating for Michigan’s broadcast industry! The new year will bring new technologies, new staffing challenges and a changing FCC and Congressional leadership.

We understand that budgets are tight. At no time is your membership in the state broadcast association as important as it is in these challenging times. Your MAB can provide greatly needed financial relief through cost-saving programs, discount services and low-cost training.
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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.
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