OKLAHOMA'S BROADCASTERSSERVING EVERY LOCAL COMMUNITY
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Someone loses their life to drunk driving every 31 minutes, which is why KJRH-TV in Tulsa, Okla., took action to get a strong "Don’t Drink and Drive" message out to its viewers. To expand its yearly support of Project Roadblock, a nation-wide public service campaign to "Put the Brakes on Drunk Driving," the station created a powerful public service announcement (PSA) using regional statistics about alcohol- and drug-related accidents over the holidays. During the week leading up to New Year’s Eve, the station aired the message more than 60 times. The station ran companion news pieces regarding the dangers of drunk driving, safe driving tips and alternative transit options as well. The PSA received a 2008 Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) Media Awareness Award in recognition of furthering MADD’s mission to stop drunk driving.
Many a dog gone missing has found its way back home, thanks to KYFM-FM in Bartlesville, Okla., and its "Dog Gone" segment. The station announces descriptions of listeners’ lost pets 10 times each day, and the station Web site provides an online form for pet owners to submit their pet’s information. In addition, the station shows animals love by providing on-air support for its local Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) all year long. When the area experienced serious flooding in 2007, the station was instrumental in helping the shelter recruit volunteers to evacuate animals. Multiple times each year, the station broadcasts live from the SPCA during fundraisers and at community events where a mobile adoption unit is present. "KYFM has been very supportive of our animal shelter," said Anita Stepp, executive director of the Washington County SPCA. "They are always willing to play pet-related public service announcements and to make announcements concerning our events and activities."
The cold and snow don’t stop Kevin Dean, morning personality on KTMC-FM in McAlester, Okla., from camping out on top of a building in the dead of winter to raise money for the March of Dimes. For the past five years, Dean has been taken by crane to a makeshift rooftop campsite on a day in January. From this high perch, he broadcasts the morning show, staying put until he meets his fundraising goal. To accept donations from listeners, he lowers a bucket. In 2008, Dean camped out for two days, bringing in $12,000 to help the March of Dimes further its goal of improving infant health. For two months before the event, representatives from the March of Dimes were guests at least twice each week on the daily talk show of KNED-AM, sister station to KTMC. All four McAlester Radio stations promoted the event and gave listeners updates on Dean’s progress throughout the campout.
Witches, ghosts and goblins gather every year for treats at "Halloween Safe House," an event organized by KADA-AM/FM and KYKC-FM in Ada, Okla. Fifteen years ago, the stations initiated the event in response to growing community concerns about the safety of children during the holiday. Today, more than 50 merchants and civic groups join KADA and KYKC in one central location, as 5,000 little ones parade through in a three-hour period. The stations broadcast live from what has become the single largest event in Ada. The stations remind everyone to join in the fun with weeks of recorded and live announcements airing at least 10 times per day. They also purchase print advertising. Three months of planning by the stations’ 10 employees goes into making sure Ada’s children have a safe and happy Halloween each year.
The "Red Kettle Drive," a brainchild of KTUL-TV in Tulsa, Okla., brought volunteer bell ringers for the Salvation Army out in force. During newscasts and the "Good Day Tulsa" show in October and November, the station ran a series of stories about the charity’s need for helpers. In conjunction with the stories, the station set up a phone bank for viewers to call in and volunteer. KTUL didn’t just ask their viewers to get involved, they volunteered, too. For three days, station talent took shifts ringing bells at designated kettles. Then, KTUL continued to inspire volunteerism and support for the Salvation Army by encouraging viewers to donate their time to distribute toys and food baskets. The station also reported live from the Salvation Army’s holiday toy drive, drumming up the giving spirit until goals were cut unexpectedly short when a severe ice storm left the area dark for days. With no stores open, there was no opportunity for bell ringing or toy shopping. KTUL went to the airwaves again, asking viewers for monetary contributions so the Salvation Army still could bring Christmas to needy children in the area. With the station’s help, the Salvation Army met its goal. Even though the storm had taken away weeks of time in which donations are usually heavy, more than 1,000 children received gifts.
Turning a tragic event into an inspiring memorial is something that KFOR-TV in Oklahoma City, Okla., does each year when it airs a live broadcast of the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon. The more than four-hour special not only allows family and friends throughout the nation to see their loved ones on the course, it also provides tribute to those who were killed and those who survived the 1995 bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building. The race acts as a fundraiser for the privately funded Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum. In 2007, 16,000 runners participated, raising a record $350,000 for the memorial and museum. Along the course, 158 banners are placed, one for each person killed in the bombing. KFOR conducts interviews with families, survivors and teams running in remembrance of lost friends, loved ones and coworkers. The station also produces and airs spots encouraging people to train for the marathon and promoting participation of little athletes in the Kids Fun Run. In addition to the strong on-air support, six KFOR staff members ran the last marathon. "The station has been with us since the beginning," said Kari Watkins, executive director of the Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum. "The race represents hope – something fun from a tragic event. The marathon program KFOR produces and airs is an amazing contribution to the city and the nation."
When summer rainfall totaled five times the average and resulted in record-breaking flooding, KWON-AM in Bartlesville, Okla., immediately began providing critical assistance to its town of 40,000. With homes and roads underwater, listeners needed up-to-date and immediate information. During the cresting flood waters, the news director, general manager and Web master camped out on the station floor, answering calls and providing continual updates. The station broadcast and rebroadcast road closures, emergency numbers and disaster resource information. When flood waters threatened to spilt the city in half, the KWON mobile unit parked on the side of the river opposite the studio so listeners could continue to receive news about both sides of Bartlesville. For more than a week, the Washington County Emergency Team, of which the station is a member, gathered to strategize relief efforts. The station let listeners know how to safely re-enter flooded buildings, clean up contaminated structures and where to get bottled water. Business closures and event cancellations were constantly updated. One woman said KWON broadcast information about the closure of her office before she received the corporate email. All on-air information was posted simultaneously on the station Web site, and the station produced a tutorial to help those who were not Internet savvy. KWON has earned the Oklahoma Association of Broadcasters’ Non-Metro Station of the Year award four out of the last seven years and believes the coverage of the flood to be its "strongest moment."
When a December ice storm left more than a quarter of a million people without power, listeners tuned their battery-operated radios to KRMG-AM in Tulsa, Okla., which stayed on the air with five days of continuous weather coverage and updates. The station directed people where to get food and shelter. Interviews with emergency officials and leaders reminded Tulsans that help was on the way. Phones at the station rang nonstop with questions about necessities. Many callers needed firewood, and when KRMG was able to secure enough firewood, the station gave it away free. From a parking lot, station staff loaded wood by the armful into the cars of hundreds of families needing a means to heat their home. KRMG was honored with the Oklahoma Association of Broadcasters Community Service Award for its coverage and service during the 2007 storm.
Providing a chance to win a day at the races helped drive 17,000 donors to the KOFM-FM in Enid, Okla., September Blood Drive in support of the Oklahoma Blood Institute. Forty donors received transportation and tickets to the Dickies 500 NASCAR race at the Texas Motor Speedway and first time donors were put into a drawing to win ride-alongs on the track. Throughout the fall of 2007, the station donated more than 360 minutes of promotional announcements, 30 hours of live broadcast from different drive locations, numerous on-air interviews with Oklahoma Blood Institute representatives and 300 staff hours to the effort. In addition to producing their own promotional announcements, the station produced a generic announcement that was distributed to other media to encourage donors. The station Web site offered substantial coverage, including streaming broadcasts and postings of every drive location and time. "KOFM has increased our outreach," said Kenda Morris, regional recruitment manager for the Oklahoma Blood Institute. "Thanks to the awesome NASCAR promotion, KOFM helped the Oklahoma Blood Institute bring in more than 17,000 donors statewide and attract more than 3,700 new donors!"
KVOO-FM in Tulsa, Okla., raised more than $40,000 in November 2008 to buy a new home for a local listener after an unusual autumnal tornado demolished the uninsured trailer home of Randy Booker, his wife and 14-year-old son. When KVOO’s morning show co-hosts Gary Greenwood and Sunny Leigh learned of Booker’s story, they pledged to raise money to help them find a place to live. In an outpouring of support from local listeners, $40,000 – more than twice the goal amount, was raised in just 14 hours. The Booker family received a fully furnished home, one year of insurance, one year of lot rent, a dependable vehicle, new clothes and several job offers from local companies.
For more examples of how Oklahoma’s local radio and TV broadcasters are serving every local community, please contact the Oklahoma Association of Broadcasters .