Here is another blog in a continuing series of some interesting ideas and intel gathered from my travels.

Positive News Desire Continues.   I have been writing for months about the need to mix positive/hopeful news with all the tough economic and crime stories in your newscasts.  In these difficult times viewers want that kind of balance in their local newscasts.  Well, there is more evidence of that desire this week.   In Raleigh, GM Barry Leffler always asks for viewer comments at the end of every newscast.  One viewer wrote – “We want less media negativity.   Negative reporting has a negative impact on viewers and will keep America in a slump.”   It should be noted that WNCN always provides the balance of positive stories in their newscasts.

Helping Their Viewers Find Work.   Fox11 News in Green Bay has partnered with three regional technology colleges to bring free breakout sessions to help their viewers find work, and reinvent themselves to survive in this economy.   These 8 hour breakout sessions will cover everything from an introduction to using a computer, to interviewing skills, to resume tips to marketing strategies for a successful job search and it is all free.

WRAL Programming Live On City Buses.   In Raleigh, WRAL is testing a partnership with the city that will bring live programming from the station to city buses.  They have been testing mobile DTV transmissions to two receivers and two plasmas as the buses tool around the city.  There are also three panels with banner ads.  If it works, the station and the city will split the revenue and the station will extend its reach.

Hot Dog Coupons On Your Cell Phone.   The Dallas Cowboys are building a new one-billion dollar stadium that is chock full of technology.   They even are testing a system that will automatically send a coupon to your cellphone as you walk past a concession stand with the aim of enticing you in.    Jerry Jones does not miss a trick to make money!

Stimulating Local Car Dealers.    Kudos to the Allbriton folks for offering an incentive to the employees of their 7 television stations to spend money for new and used cars with local automobile advertisers.   The station gave each employee $2,000 toward buying a new car, and $1,000 towards a used vehicle.  Over 60 employees took part – spending over $660,000 alone in Washington D.C. at local auto advertisers.  

How About A Lottery Ticket Instead.    Mike Sechrist has always been an inventive guy.  So, during his first meeting as GM of his new television station he did not offer any soft drinks.  Instead, Mike gave each employee a lottery ticket.  He said this seemed like a more practical idea in today’s economy.  No word if any employee hit the jackpot.

A Great Reporter Says Goodbye.  Finally, I want to offer my best wishes to one of the all-time greatest investigative reporters – and story tellers in the television business.   After 32 years at WUSA-TV in Denver, Paula Woodward retired recently.   She could have worked in any market, or for any network, but her love of Colorado kept there for three decades.  I have always admired Paula’s work, her tenacity, and her fairness and want to wish her well in whatever new adventures lie ahead.

Jim

This entry was posted on Sunday, April 19th, 2009 at 6:41 pm and is filed under Willi. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.