New Helmsman, Heavy Seas At NAB
The latest National Journal features a profile of former Sen. Gordon Smith, R-Ore., the new head of the National Association of Broadcasters. Here's a snippet:
During his 12 years in the Senate, Oregon Republican Gordon Smith earned a reputation as a bridge-builder, team player, and nice guy. Now he hopes to bring that spirit of camaraderie to the National Association of Broadcasters, one of Washington's most powerful and fractious trade groups. Smith, who narrowly lost his seat to Democrat Jeff Merkley in 2008, will succeed David Rehr as president and CEO of the 8,300-member organization on November 1. Rehr resigned in May after a rocky four years in charge. "As a member of the Senate, I worked across party lines to get legislation passed," Smith said at the broadcasting guild's Radio Show last month in Philadelphia. "Now my politics are the interests of the [NAB]."
One of his biggest challenges will be in the boardroom. "NAB's governance model is badly divided," Consumer Electronics Association President Gary Shapiro said, contending that "aside from the word 'broadcasting,' radio and TV have nothing in common." He argued that the deep rift between the two sectors contributed to Rehr's demise--and the industry's estimated 30 percent loss of market share in recent decades. Smith told National Journal that the TV and radio camps "are stronger when they are together than apart, even though they have different interests." He said he will work hard to unify their message and satisfy the interests of both. Read the full story here (subscription required).
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