David Broza at Masada

WTTW National Productions Presenting Station Services Summary

WTTW National Productions provides expertise in packaging and delivering national television programs for public television, cable, and international distribution. The following areas represent specific responsibilities assumed in the role of presenting station.

Project Manager

  • Support and consult with producer regarding program deliverables
  • Deliver all requested materials to distributor (tape masters, on-air promos, etc.)
  • Liaison with closed captioning center
  • Coordinate and monitor the development and execution of marketing plans as required
  • Develop all program marketing materials (to viewers, sales, programmers, etc.)
  • Liaison with distributor(PBS/APT) and producer for approval of merchandise tags, web announcements,    production credits to ensure they meet distributor guidelines
  • Liaison with PBS on program web site (if any) to ensure it falls within PBS guidelines for web content.
  • Liaison with producer and corporate/foundation underwriters to ensure on-air messages are approved by distributor (PBS/APT) and delivered to producer in correct format
  • Supervise and coordinate production of promotional tapes, promos and presentations for PBS and/or APT conferences and events
  • Monitor and communicate ratings and other broadcast research related to project and its competition
  • Handle sensitive viewer calls
  • Respond to phone calls regarding special events, appearances and general information

Publicity Coordinator

  • Provide program press information to all station publicity contacts via Public TV intranet
  • Create and oversee distribution of press kits (a generic release, fact sheet, photography, etc.) to major press and Public TV professionals
  • Oversee distribution of promotional tapes and presentations
  • Respond to Public TV related press calls
  • Assist in coordinating national media requests

Station Relations and National Distribution Director

  • Secure Public TV broadcast feed dates/times
  • Deliver required submission forms (contracts, music cue sheets, etc.) to distributor
  • Write and execute station relations plan that meets program objectives
  • Represent program at PBS, APT, PTPA Programmers' or other relevant meetings
  • Liaison to PBS, APT or other Program Distributor
  • Phone 300 Public TV stations to encourage and obtain broadcast carriage data
  • Provide producer with carriage data reports prior to feed date and following broadcast
  • Respond to phone calls regarding broadcast and programming information
  • In coordination with project manager, create program marketing materials (e.g., newsletter, postcards, etc.) and distribute to Public TV system
  • Manage written communication to all stations including program updates and special information
  • Provide crisis management when producer's decisions impact Public TV system

Engineering Technicians

  • Perform technical coordination and evaluation of programs to conform with Public TV standards

Legal Services

  • Ensure that FCC and Public TV criteria are met regarding content issues and program funding, which includes on-air underwriter messages
  • Negotiate broadcast and distribution rights with PBS or APT
  • Handle any Public TV issues which may arise
  • Negotiate and prepare all contracts pertaining to related party agreements

Graphic Artist

  • Design printed and electronic promotional and marketing materials in consultation with project manager

Administrative Support

  • Provide clerical support to all teams, including telephone, fax, photocopying and other basic services
  • Provide accounting information when needed

In addition to the above-mentioned presenting station duties, a producer may request WTTW National Productions to take on additional activities at an additional cost. These may include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Customized press kit and related promotional tools
  • Program/series advertising, such as tune-in ads, etc.
  • Customized station ID promos to system
  • Special ratings orders from PBS or Nielsen Television Index
  • Events at national and regional PBS programmer meetings
  • Customized special events for key constituents
  • Special press tours and public relations programs
  • Project reports to underwriters/funders
  • Fiscal agent for project, providing administrative and bookkeeping support
  • Management of companion web site
  • WTTW in-studio production and technical support facilities
  • WTTW post-production and editing facilities