WJJY RECEIVES NAB CRYSTAL RADIO AWARD

LAS VEGAS, NV, April 24, 2001 – The National Association of Broadcasters has named WJJY, Brainerd, MN a winner of the NAB Crystal Radio Award.  Established in 1987, the NAB Crystal Radio Award recognizes radio stations’ efforts to improve the quality of life in their surrounding communities.  WJJY was selected from a pool of 40 finalists, and was one of 10 winners.   WJJY supplied this description of its accomplishments in 2000:

With a voice as powerful as the legendary Paul Bunyan and the determined hard work of his “Babe the Blue Ox,” WJJY-FM defines public service broadcasting for five counties in Minnesota’s woods and lakes vacationland.  With a dedicated staff of only 14, adult contemporary-formatted WJJY is consistently rated #1 while leading all area media in a concerted program of community service and education.  WJJY set a community record in 2000 assisting needy organizations in raising $870,416, helping to collect 8,600 pounds of food for the Food Shelf, 574 pints of blood for the American Red Cross, and 1,100 winter clothing items for needy families.  The on-air support for these campaigns reached $115,000.  Additionally, over 6,900 PSAs valued at $96,800 were broadcast.  WJJY’s public affairs program, Community Focus served as a “town crier” for the community, featuring 300 guests from 150 organizations.  Annually, more than 27,000 minutes of airtime is devoted to local news and weather.  WJJY’s most comprehensive public service campaign is its annual 24 hour “Radiothon to End Child Abuse,” which raised a record setting $56,600 in 2000.  WJJY was a NAB Crystal Radio Award Finalist in 1998 and 1999, and in June 1999 received the NAB Educational Foundation’s first ever “Service to America” Radio Partnership Award.

“The Crystal Radio Award is considered one of the most prestigious awards in the radio industry,” said NAB President & CEO Edward O. Fritts.  “It reflects the extraordinary efforts of the stations we are honoring.  These winners are the best of the best and go above and beyond every day what is asked of broadcasters.”

The awards were presented during the Radio Luncheon, sponsored by ASCAP, at NAB’s annual spring convention.  Mort Crim, journalist, author and nationally known motivational speaker gave the keynote address. The luncheon also featured the induction of radio personality, Bruce “Cousin Brucie” Morrow, into the NAB Broadcasting Hall of Fame.