After NAB board members this week re-nominated and approved Gordon Smith as NAB president and chief executive officer, Smith as well as NAB Joint Board Chair and Commonwealth CEO Steve Newberry updated the board on association activities, including legislative and regulatory issues.
Smith, a former U.S. senator, provided insight on legislative and regulatory issues related to broadcasting, and detailed his vision for the future of NAB, stressing the importance of unity and prioritization, according to an account of the meeting provided by the association. Newberry recognized new board members and praised the return of CBS and Fox to the trade association.
NAB EVP Government Relations Laurie Knight and NAB EVP Legal & Regulatory Affairs Jane Mago briefed the board on legislative and regulatory issues, the FCC’s national broadband plan and television spectrum reallocation proposals, media ownership and the Telecom Act update.
For radio specifically, Smith and Knight updated board members on the status of several legislative issues including the RIAA-backed performance rights fee legislation and low-power FM. Mago and NAB SVP Science & Technology Lynn Claudy discussed NAB initiatives to get mobile carriers to include FM receivers in cell phones and other mobile devices and the status of petitions asking the FCC to reconsider allowing the FM IBOC power increase. Members also heard an update on NAB’s recent agreement with cell carriers, tower companies and environmental groups regarding tower lighting and migratory birds.
NAB EVP of Radio John David and NAB EVP Conventions and Business Operations Chris Brown discussed initiatives related to the Radio Show, which this year will be co-produced by NAB and the Radio Advertising Bureau.
