Last week, I had the honor of being asked to address the Oklahoma Broadcasters convention in Oklahoma City.  I was amazed with the large convention turnout and quality programs/sessions, especially considering tight budgets.  Kudos to OAB President Vance Harrison and his staff for organizing such a fine event.  My observations:

1)  My presentation focused on the capital markets, including BIA/Kelsey industry data and projections for the future for radio and television.  The audience (primarily smaller group owners and managers) were amazed that BIA/Kelsey revenue projections for 2010-2014  DON’T show television/radio continuing to decline, but instead show mild revenue increases in both revenue AND television/radio’s share of local media pie.  I think broadcasters are so used to terrible outlooks/news that they are shocked when they hear anything positive.

2)  A general disbelief among audience (those that make their living selling the media) that direct mail/newspapers still controlled over 50% of local media advertising in 2009.   Obviously, BIA/Kelsey (and every other analyst making these projections) shows this dropping annually in coming years.  Broadcasters in the room agreed that as bad as it has been….at least they aren’t newspaper owners.   (amazing that I haven’t been invited to present at any state newspaper conventions – haha) 

3)  David Oxenford FCC counsel of Davis, Wright, Tremaine in D.C. gave a very impressive, very thorough, very depressing update on all FCC matters broadcasting related.   My general impression of new FCC is that broadcasting not a big priority to this group of commissioners and broadcasters will have several tough fights ahead.  Most depressing in the presentation is that even though there are stations failing/losing money/going dark, there is no momentum to loosen ownership rules to help keep stations on air and improve on-air product (let them fail oversight). 

Thanks again to Vance for the invite – a great convention.  Also enjoyed the Hall of Fame Dinner – statistically, I will never again have chance to attend a single dinner that honors BOTH a television preacher (Oral Roberts) and a television clown (Ho-Ho the Clown)!

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