Roof sit ends = 2 men, 1 failed mission

www.milkmanunlimited.com has the story of sadness, wind chill, frost bite and disappointment:

Peace River/Hi Level AB's Kevin Becker says that "on Friday February 25 at 3:15pm, morning hosts Scott Belford and Dono Jennings (YL Country High Level and KIX 106 Peace River) planned to break a record by staying 20 days on the roof of the Big Blue Building in High Level, Alberta. After 2 weeks of promotion and 2 minutes on the roof, the pair announced live on air “They just don’t want to do it anymore” and came down. Check our websites for more pics and info http://www.ylcountry.com/ http://www.kix106.net/."

It gets a bit chilly in Alberta in February! You don't suppose that the fact that just talking about the crazy stunt for two weeks got the whole town talking right at the start of the BBM survey was the real mission, do you?

McCoy Takes Over KICX 104 FM

Vikki Shaw (vshaw@kicxfm.com) writes to tell us that Canadian country star Jason McCoy is guest-hosting the Roop and Carey morning show on KICX 104 FM from Feb 28th till Mar 3rd.

McCoy hails from Minesing and will be taking over the airwaves while co-host Carey Moran is away. Jason recently won the prestigious Canadian Country Music Association ’s Male Vocalist Of The Year in 2004 and is also an award-winning songwriter.

Catch Roop and McCoy at 5:30 this Monday through Thursday (streamed at www.kicxfm.com). Jason will be bringing along his guitar and you never know what they’ll do!

KYEZ Helps Child Abuse Prevention

PD Bill Ray (browson@cox.net) reports Y-93.7, Salina, KS auctioned a Tim McGraw autographed guitar for $850 with proceeds going to Child Abuse Prevention Services. A total of $55,000 was raised during this annual auction.

You Don't Need A Promo Budget

Starting 3/1, KGB/San Diego's 16-year heritage morning team, Dave, Shelly And Chainsaw, started giving away $1,000 every day they're on the air live.

The promotion, The Dave, Shelly And Chainsaw Grand-A-Day, Every Day Giveaway, will run throughout 2005 and www.fmqb.com says it is being financed through listener purchases of the morning show's CDs and DVDs, which includes a 17,000 copy run of the 2004 feature-length comedy film The J-K Conspiracy.

Listeners can enter themselves, friends or relatives by answering "How $1,000 Will Change Your Life," on the station's Web site, www.101kgb.com. The Web site is the only place to enter the contest.

Reset Your Preset

Last year's Arbitron-Edison Media Research "In Car Study" found that there's a strong corelation between a person's favorite station and their car radio presets. The recommendation was: "almost no one has a favorite radio station that ISN'T set on their car radio pre-sets, so be sure you have a car radio strategy."

WKDF, Nashville does: since the station is "#1 for new country and the legends," their "reset your preset" campaign is paying listeners $100 when they are found with WKDF set on their #1 preset and $20 if they stop a listener who allows them to reset their #1 preset to 103.3.

Click on http://www.103wkdf.com/ to see how they promote it:

Re-Set Your Pre-Set to 103.3!!!
103 WKDF Air Personalities are cruising around Middle Tennessee five times a day checking to see if your #1 Pre-Set is on 103.3, brought to you by The All New Champion Ford on Charlotte Avenue.

Click here for more details and times.

Congratulations to Listener Rewards Club member, Teresa Eastridge of Springfield. She won $103 for having her #1 pre-set on 103.3.

Popstrology

Author Ian Van Tuyl has invented a system for unraveling the mysteries of the universe: Popstrology. It's based on the idea that your fate and personality are ruled by the songs that topped the charts on the day you were born. (Oh, like astrology is soooo logical.)

Your profile is composed of your Birth Year (ruled by the band with the most number-one hits that year) and your Birthstar and Birthsong (the tune that was number one on your birthday). They don't always match up. Take March 11, 1970. Excellent Birthsong: "Bridge over Troubled Water." Questionable Birth Year: Jackson 5. (Sorry, Pisces. You may be Zen, but you're pretty cheesy.)

Hopeless overachiever? Maybe your song is "Ain't No Mountain High Enough."

Just imagine the plight of a Tiffany born in the year of U2 (you think you're alone now, on a Sunday, bloody Sunday) or a Bon Jovi in the year of Paula Abdul (you may be living on a prayer, caught in a hit and run). For his part, Van Tuyl is a Double Monkee, as his book explains, "born under the influence of the song 'I'm a Believer.'"

Popstrology may be so much modern Abracadabra, or simply What a Fool Believes.

Reach Van Tuyl through his publisher:

Bloomsbury USA
175 Fifth Avenue
Suite 300
New York, NY 10010.
Email: marketing@bloomsburyusa.com.

Sell Your New Music (really SELL it)

Kent Burkhart (http://www.kentburkhart.com/) recommends it:

Here is an image idea that works for a music station in any size market: “Once again, The ABC department store presents another new music special on WXXX. Here is Smith singing the YES SONG”. Here is the sales pitch to the ABC store client: This five second image spot runs four times a day 365 days a year (with one of your newly selected adds so that you do not violate your music list). This image spot ties in the ABC department store with something “new” for the listener “once again” continuity. This is an exclusive for the ABC store. Create an image rate package that is very expensive (a normal 30 second rate) because of its exclusive value. Prepare a special one page sales pitch with various art work to make the concept look valuable. I assure you that some retail client in your market will be ready to buy it!!!........

$10,000 Fugitive - rules and clues

It started in Ottawa last fall and now the "$10,000 Fugitive" contest appears to be spreading across Canada faster than the flu. Here's why and how, from the latest entry in Newfoundland: http://www.k-rock975.com/Contest.asp?ID=1

"THE 97-5 K-ROCK TEN THOUSAND DOLLAR FUGITIVE! IT COULD BE A WOMAN…OR A MAN. IT COULD BE ANYONE ... ANYWHERE...ANYTIME. THE FUGITIVE COULD BE NEXT TO YOU IN LINE...SERVING YOU LUNCH...THE FUGITIVE COULD BE A CO-WORKER...A FRIEND...A PASSER BY. LISTEN FOR CLUES WEEKDAYS AT 8AM...12 NOON...4PM ON 97-5 K-ROCK. WRITE THEM ALL DOWN. TO WIN THE BOUNTY, ASK EVERYONE YOU SEE THIS PRECISE QUESTION: ARE YOU THE 97-5 K-ROCK 10 THOUSAND DOLLAR FUGITIVE? FOLLOW THE CLUES CLOSELY...THEY WILL ASSIST YOU IN TRACKING DOWN THE FUGITVE'S LOCATION AND IDENITY! THE 97-5 K-ROCK’S TEN THOUSAND DOLLAR FUGITIVE BROUGHT TO YOU BY FOOD ON THE RUN’, RIGHT ACROSS FROM THE DELTA. A MEDITERRANEAN, ‘CAFETERIA STYLE’ RESTAURANT. BREAKFAST, LUNCH DINNER, EAT IN OR TAKE OUT."

And, what successful radio contest/stunt wouldn't have it's own chatroom/discussion board? http://www.thehot899fugitive.com/

Here are some shots of the winners in Edmonton: http://www.96x.ca/cgi-bin/photogallery/photo_display?c=73

April Fool in Salina

"Bill and Dave" are a morning tradition in Salina, Kansas. They have been waking up Saline County together since 1987. This year on April Fools day they plan to award "Free Gas For A Year" every half hour during their show.

After awarding the prize, they'll ask each winner where they will be between 10:00 and noon "so we can deliver your cans of gas to you personally."

Of course, what the winner will be given is a case of baked beans (with the recorder running). The reactions of the folks winning the prizes will be aired on 4/2, so that everyone can share in the fun. Bill Ray is PD at KYEZ, Salina: (email) bray@ebclink.com.

There's also talk of doing the entire 4/1 morning show as if it's 1987 again, news.. music..etc.

Circus Celebrity - Ringling Brothers 2005 show info

Heard recently on Mix (WMVX), Cincinnati:

"Join the family tradition that's anything but routine. Enter the topsy-turvy, upside-down world of the all-new 134th Edition of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus. Prince of Laughter David Larible. Jason Peters and his majestic pride of male lions. Crazy Wilson on the Wheel of Wonder and engaging in Motorcycle Mania. The soulful sounds of dazzling Danette. Sylvia Zerbini, Kevin Venardos, Clown Alley, elephantine excellence, and much, much more.

"From March 2-6, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey(r) transforms the U.S. Bank Arena with the all-new 134th Edition of The Greatest Show On Earth. And, if you come an hour before the show starts, you can be part of the act during the fabulous three ring adventure. Listen to the Mix Morning Show for your chance to win tickets or register on our web site to win the "Circus Celebrity" tickets."

Guests

Can your phone data be hacked like Paris Hilton? Recently, Paris Hilton's cell phone (a T-Mobile Sidekick) was reportedly hacked into and its contents revealed on a web site. Is your cell phone data safe? How did they get the data from Hilton's phone? Rick Castellini, nationally syndicated radio commentator and "pop tech guru," can discuss the answer to these questions and other security concerns involving stolen information and identity theft. Contact Dr. R.J. Garis at 760-471-4807 or e-mail publicists@garis-agency.com.

If you ever need someone to talk gossip, try the folks at Star Magazine. Call Amy Galleazzi at 212-743-6526 and also ask her to be on Star's e-mail list.

Honoring the fallen

Thanks to Matt Drudge (EMAIL: DRUDGE@DRUDGEREPORT.COM) for this link:

http://www.militarycity.com/valor/honor.html

Number of Operations Iraq Freedom and Enduring Freedom casualtiesas confirmed by U.S. Central Command as of this posting: 1627

Faces of Valor: sights and sounds of Operations "Enduring Freedom" and "Iraqui Freedom."

Search this database by hometown .. and do something to salute your local heroes!

MilitaryCity.com is the gateway to the Military Times Media Group. Their websites include ArmyTimes.com, NavyTimes.com, AirForceTimes.com and MarineCorpsTimes.com.

Cat Country 98.7 = Johnny Appleseed

WYCT, Cat Country, Pensacola turns Johnny Appleseed in the wake of Ivan. I was just there several weeks ago .. and it takes your breath away to see the devistation across Mobile Bay as you fly in there. So, they decided to do something about it.

Replanting Cat Country
Saturday, 2/19/05

Cat Country 98-7 Radio is working to get 10,000 new trees planted in our communities. Cat Country 98-7 will be giving away free Live Oak tree seedlings this Saturday, February 19th, starting at 9A.

People are invited to come by any of the five locations listed below and pick up free trees on Saturday. Volunteers from the Girl Scouts of Northwest Florida, the Tate FFA and the Pensacola Pelicans will be there to help Cat Country 98-7 personalities hand out trees and planting instructions. Quantities are limited so come early.

Cat Country 98-7 purchased 10,000 one-year old trees from the IP SuperTreeTM nursery in Shellman, Georgia. Saturday’s free Live Oak giveaway is being done as a community service by Cat Country 98-7.

Join Cat Country 98.7 as we work to bring back the beauty to our neighborhoods after the storm devastated so many trees.

Dave Hoxeng, dhoxeng@CatCountry987.com, President of WYCT writes:

"We planted one tree Friday in front of TV3 & daily newspaper. Then, gave away 9999 Live Oak trees Saturday in ~3.5 hours from 5 locations.

We got a nice story on the 5P TV3 news Friday night, and a color pic at top of column on Page One of local section in today's Pensacola News Journal.

For information call 850-469-9900 and ask for Judy, Mary or Dave.

The Do-It-Yourself Encyclopedia

Have you checked out: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page? If you ever need something to chat about, it will provide some ideas for you. One danger: double check wikipedia.org/ facts, since all the articles are written and edited by USERS..

Sharpening Your News Writing

Mervin Block wrote a monthly column on broadcast newswriting for Communicator, the magazine of the Radio-Television News Directors Association, for 13 years. And he still writes a column occasionally for RTNDA. The columns reprinted here offer tips on problems that broadcast newspeople face every day: tips about words, tips about language, tips about writing, tips about journalism.

There is lots of wonderful sharing on his website: http://www.mervinblock.com/.. well worth a few clicks....

When Bad Scripts Happen to Good Newscasts
Error Alert: Wrong Words Slip Into Network Newscasts
'More Violence to Report' — and More Weak Ways Not to Report

Writing Tips, Adapted from Writing Broadcast News--Shorter, Sharper, Stronger (Revised and Expanded), a professional handbook by Mervin Block:
Top Tips of the Trade
Dozen Deadly Sins
Book List

Are your TV spots on your website

.. for viewing and for listeners to email to friends?

Check out: http://www.waxx104online.com/ and click on the "Have You Seen The Cute Kids on TV?" tabs. That's how it's done, at WAXX, Eau Claire. Thanks to PD George House (715 832-1530) for sharing it with us.

Bless the broken walk in Memphis???

Steve Bush must have spent too much time in the JRfm, Vancouver production studio the other day.... "I was thinking that Bless the Broken Road reminded me a lot of Walking in Memphis. So much so I thought they were pretty much interchangeable. I put the two songs together. Didn't know whether to call it "Bless Memphis" or "Walking the Broken Road".

NHL RIP song parody

Marv and PJ at the Country 95.5 Coffee Crew in Lethbridge came up with a cute play over "My Give A Damn's Busted" featuring clips from Betteman, Goodenow, Gretzky and others. It's generating lots of phones. Thanks to PD Reid Morgan (pd@country95.fm) for reporting it.

Who Makes What (radio edition)

Thanks to Braden Doerr, Market Manager for Standard/London (bdoerr@sri.ca) for alerting us to... http://www.whomakeswhat.net/ (a service of those diabolically-clever minds at M Street Journal (ironically, a division of Clear Channel..)

Sales Promotions That Work

Hats off to Phyllis Stark (pstark@airplaymonitor.com) at Airplay Monitor/Billboard for a great feature this week:

Promotions directors from country stations WMZQ, WFMS, WMIL, WXTU, WKLB, WPOC, KNIX and others give BillboardRadioMonitor.com the lowdown on hugely successful sales promotions in this Web site exclusive. These are all ideas you can steal for your own station.

CLICK: Sales/Promotions Partnerships That Work