WWOZ Governance Board Meeting
Tuesday, February 6, 2007
General Manager’s Report
1. CPB Extension.On February 2, 2007 the Corporation for Public Broadcasting granted an extension to Friends of WWOZ, Inc for filing its complete audit with that agency. The extension is valid until February 28, 2007.
2. Library of Congress. On January 16, 2007 WWOZ received the legal document from the Library of Congress for review and approval that would formalize WWOZ’s partnership with the Library of Congress whereby the station’s extensive collection of live recordings will be preserved and converted to usable formats conforming to best archival practices.
3. Arts Council of New Orleans. On January 7, 2007 WWOZ received $8,322 as a partial payment of its FYE 2006 award under the Community Arts Grant program.
4. Lapsed Member Renewal Campaign. The lapsed member renewal letter sent in December, 2006 has generated to date $37,327, with checks continuing to arrive. At a cost of just under $5,000, ‘OZ has brought more than $32,000 back into the membership fold as well as creating a new funding stream into the future.
5. ‘OZone Contributions.WWOZ’s e-mail newsletter, The ‘OZone, was sent to 10,500 people on January 30th.$7,490 in donations has been raised to date as a result.
6. Web Developer, Web Producer. On February 1st, Troy Thibadoux was contracted to overhaul the current WWOZ website and to serve as technical consultant. At the same time, Michael Hailes was contracted to serve as Web Producer. He will be involved in the day-to-day preparation of content for the website, as well as providing technical support for all computer maintenance and operational needs in the station. Both positions are part-time.
7. WWOZ – nola.com Partnership.On January 23rd, WWOZ General Manager David Freedman, Web Director Ariana Hall, Development Director Mary Liz Keevers and Underwriting Representative Carmen Post met with nola.com Advertising Director Eve Versteeg and Managing Editor Cory Haik to specify ways in which WWOZ and nola.com could partner both promotionally and editorially.
8. Integrated Media Association. From February 20th – 24th General Manager David Freedman and Account Manager Carmen Post will attend the Integrated Media Association Conference in Boston, MA. Among other workshops Ms. Post will attend a breakout session on Online Underwriting while Mr. Freedman will attend a closed, two-day state-of-the-Internet briefing for CEO’s to be held in the BerkmanCenter at HarvardUniversity.
WWOZ Governance Board Meeting
Tuesday, February 6, 2007
General Manager’s Report
9. JazzFest Promotion. New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival Foundation Executive Director Don Marshall and General Manager David Freedman met with Festival Producers Louis Edwards and Matthew Goldman to create a pilot program for promoting the 2007 JazzFest through public radio stations in other parts of the country. If the program is successful, it may be expanded next year.
10. Membership Director Resignation. On January 22nd, Membership Director Robin Pennell announced her intention to resign. She will, however, stay on until her successor has been trained in order to provide continuity, especially in light of the upcoming Spring Fund Drive in March.
11. Press and Promotion.
Fitchburg Sentinel.On Thursday, January 11th thisMassachusettsnewspaper published an article featuring former WWOZ radio personality, Henri Smith.
All About Jazz, This Philadelphia, PA publication included an article on January 18th in which the WWOZ 2004 wall calendar consisting of 28 photographs by L.J. Goldstein was spotlighted.
Times-Picayune.In an op-ed piece entitled, “For My Poor, Sweet Wife, Fix New Orleans,” and published on January 27th, Dr. Paul Gailiunas reminisced about life with his recently-murdered wife, recalling a former time “admiring the morning glories and magnolia trees and Spanish moss, listening to WWOZ….”
All About Jazzon February 2nd published a critique of the Brooklyn Repertory Ensemble by WWOZ Show Host Tom Morgan. Former WWOZ Show Host (and currently at WRIR-FM, Richmond, VA) Michael “Mr. Jazz” Gourrier was also quoted in the article.
Times-Picayune. In both the February 2nd and 5th editions of the Times-Picayune, a reference was made to WWOZ Show Host, “Big D,” who served as emcee for a benefit concert held at Mid-City Rock n’ Bowl, Monday, February 5th. The event featured Mighty Lester, Susan Cowsill Band, The Soul Rebels and Cranston Clements in a fundraiser for the New Orleans Musicians’ Clinic.
12.Special Mardi Gras Live, Remote Broadcast. February 19th and 20thWWOZ will be broadcasting live for a full twenty-four hour period from Café Brasil, at the corner of Frenchman and ChartresStreets. WWOZ will air a music extravaganza produced by the Backbeat Foundation starting at 6PM, Monday, February 19th and continuing throughout the early morning into Mardi Gras Day. After sunrise, the schedule will allow for wandering brass bands, marching groups, Mardi Gras Indians and rogue Krewes to punctuate the live broadcast. Performers will include Big Chief Monk Boudreaux, Big Sam’s Funky Nation, Gradoux, Groovesect, CC Adcock and an installment of Rhythmic Roots with Shannon Powell, Cyril Neville, Kevin O’Day, Wild Man Ivory Holmes, Big Chief Little Charles and an ever-expanding group of uncontainable talent.In keeping with WWOZ tradition, the broadcast promises to be spirited.