Robert Hansen was President and General Manager of WDTH FM and it's parent company Contemporary Broadcasting through most of the station's life. Plenty can be said about Mr. Hansen and his "way of doing business." We will reserve the "post mortuem" concerning that in another article.

Recently, we were sent an email with scanned images of what resembled a pamphlet. It was the "rules" as written by Mr. Hansen. We have those images in our photo album. For a  look at them click on the "photos" link in our main menu. It will take you directly to our photos and you should easily find these scanned images of Mr. Hansen's "rules of the road."

Back to Mr. Hansen's "rules." They were rather unique list of "Do's and Don'ts" for any staffer whether they are air talent or sales or even the secretary. One thing that we found interesting was Mr. Hansen's "No Smoking" policy that in ways was ahead of its time considering the smoking bans that have become law for all public places today.

Enjoy reading these. They have been reproduced here for clarity. We have included the image scans of the this one page document (front and back). We are not sure if this was a pamplet or not so we took some liberty to switch the order around so it would be easier to follow.

Introduction

There are many types of radio, undoubtedly adapted to as many types of markets. We have chosen the type of radio which we believe most suited to our market. The type of audience we wish to reach can be best determined by the products we advertise. Banking Services, Fuels, Groceries, Medical Insurance, Automobiles, Dairy Products.....these are just a few of our advertisers who must reach young adult audience ages 18-35.

The policies outlined in these pages are the result of years of experience. Our future plans for development offer proof that our policies are sound. In that belief we enforce them to the Nth degree.

 Save this leaflet and refer to it frequently. This is what will be expected of you during your employment with Contemporary Broadcasting Corporation.

General Apperance of Self and Surroundings

1.  A business-like dress is required. The more business like you look the more likely you are to advance here ... or elsewhere. T-shirts, wash slacks, denims, etc., are OUT.

2.  Report to work clean shaven.

3.  IT IS UP TO THE ANNOUNCER ON DUTY TO KEEP THE CONTROL ROOM, ANNOUNCE  BOOTH AND NEWS MACHINE PRESENTABLE. PUT WASTE PAPER IN THE WASTE  BASKETS. RETURN POP BOTTLES TO THE RACK IMMEDIATELY AS CONTENTS ARE  CONSUMED. IT IS UP TO YOU TO PUT RECORDS, TAPES, ETC., AWAY AND LEAVE  THINGS CLEAN FOR THE NEXT MAN.

4.  In the lavatory, put towels in the wast basket and flush the toilet. Surprisingly, but in the past we have actually had people unaccustomed to the habit.

Music

1.  On musical programs use time signals, temperature, news items or weather reports.

2.  Use the term "recorded" or "transcribed" only to comply with FCC regulations. Within the body of a program do not refer to "album", "recorded", "flip side", "release",  "platter" or "label". We are interested in presenting good musical entertainment and have no desire or obligation to sell phonograph records or albums.

3.  Make introductions simple, but attractive. A good rule to follow is "If it doesn't pertain to the preceding or following selection . . . DON'T say it! Do contribute any  worthwhile information about the selection, or performer, however.

4.  Pull your music for an adult audience . . . and keep it on as high level as possible  staying within moderation.

5.  NEVER under any circumstances, let an LP run continuously, or "back to back" records. Introduce each selection individually as they are played, not after it is played, as in many cases this causes redundancy as in vocals.

6.  Follow the prescribed format.

MISCELLANEOUS

1.  Obersver bulletin board daily.

2.  Transmitter and Control Room doors are to be closed at all times. Production studio doors closed during  actual use on the air or recording.

3.  Place all "Attention Station Managers" from the wires in the bin so marked Newsroom.

VACATIONS

One working week paid vacation after the 1st year employed. One additional day paid vacation for each additional year employed after the first year employed in addition to the one working week paid vacation.

SMOKING & DRINKING REGULATIONS

There will be absolutely no smoking or drinking anywhere in our studios or offices. Smoking is permitted in the back hall only. This rule is for all employees and visitors. Immediate dismissal or $100.00 fine for all violators.

PAY DAYS

All pay days are the 6th and 20th of each month, at 5pm. If these days fall on the weekend then the following Monday will be pay day.

PROGRAM POLICIES, GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS, GENERAL ANNOUNCING

1.   Read commercials, program formats and news items exactly as written . . . with NO  side comments or modifications. The logical exceptions would be in the event of unquestionable error or revision to make day or date current.

2.   Organize your material. If you have difficulty remembering music titles or performers, write them down as you go so you can stay "on mike" instead of reading them from the turntable. Keep news materials and commercials in order to eliminate unnecessary shuffling of paper.

3.   Eliminate IDLE CHATTER. Your are combination "m. c." and "salesman." Assume a professional, authoritative air. By doing so for the Contemporary Broadcasting Corporation, you help yourself and your future by placing yourself above the amaterish sounding disc jockey status.

4.   Speak up. Do not depend on the mike pot to bring your voice up. It can only increase volume, and can do nothing to make a dead voice sound attractive. Even though you are inches away from the mike, speak as though you were addressing  someone three or four feet away.

5.   Follow a uniform station FORMAT. ID. . .Use only the cartridge ID designated. No deviation is permitted.

News, Weather, & Sports

1.  Follow the sequence of commercials and features as outlined in the format.

2.  BE SURE OF PRONUNCIATIONS. IT YOU DO NOT NOW THE LOCAL PRONUNCIATION OF A PROPER NAME, ASK OR CALL SOMEONE.  USE THE DICTIONARY ON WORDS.

3.  Newswire stories sometimes contain working such as ". . . a nationwide television address." Or ". . . nationally televised" It it were the President, more logically it would be revised "speaking from Washington." It is is a sports story, it is more logical to say where it is being held, than to promote television which is competing with YOU for both audience and dollars.

4.  In speaking of Northern Minnesota, local news or sports stories should be written as your station area.

5.  Your cooperation is asked in keeping alert for news stories when off duty. Call the station as soon as possible. Make a "beeper" call if important, or advise so we can move in with mobile news units.

6.  In writing stories, head the page with "LOCAL NEWS: STOP AFTER 2:00 PM. TUESDAY, JUNE 4th, 1966." This time should be 24 hours from the time it is written. Include phonetic pronunciations in unfamiliar names. All of our local news ( as well as commercials are to be written in upper case and double spaced. Instructions on copy should be written in CAPS and bracketed.

VISITORS

1.  NO ONE EXCEPT EMPLOYEES ARE PERMITTED IN THE CONTROL ROOM OR TRANSMITTER ROOM. THERE ARE ABSOLUTELY NO EXCEPTIONS.

2.  From 6pm to 6am and all day on Saturdays and Sundays lock the front door to discourage traffic.

3.  At all other hours discourage loitering in the building. You have 2/3 of your time to visit with your friends. Discourage them from hanging around the 1/3 you are at work.

Board Operation

1.  Check turntable speed and needle setting at the time you put the disc on. Make this a habit and you will never be embarrassed by the wrong speed. In the same routine be sure the control has been turned off cue.

2.  Familiarize yourself with the normal key positions on the console.

3.  The "Monitor-Program" key is always to be in a monitor position except during actual use of the monitor for other purposes.

4.  Normal position for the Program Master Control is 12 VU. On all other microphone turntable, tape, remote or network pots, disregard the numbers and open to peak the meter at zero or 100.

5.  Do not change adjustments or controls on Station Level, limiter . . . or any transmitter controls.

6.  Air Monitor amplifier must be left turned up to a reasonable volume at all times. The mike key must never be use to kill the speaker in the control room.

7.  Be sure EBS equipment is turned on at all times and note the check times in log.

8.  Turn telephone beeper switches off immediately after each use. (On the same panel, all the other keys should be in the center when not in use.)

9.  Return remote keys to center position after each use.

EMPLOYMENT HOURS

Salesmen - 7am to 6:15pm Monday through Friday, 1 hour for lunch; special meetings assigned from time to time. Announcers - Assigned times. Anyone who is consistently late for work or early to leave work will be permanently dismissed. We need excellent discipline in our organization if we are to grow. We do not need any "lazy know it alls." All employees must meet their quotas.