TO: My Idea Bank Buddies
RE: KVFD's Marconi Award
RECEIVED OCT 2 3 1998
10/18/98

I hope this won't come off as "bragging"....cuz it's not about me. It's about a fine Small Market Radio Station....and it's young, community-spirited leadership.

I copied my October Idea Bank report yesterday, Saturday, 10/17/98..... then today I learned at Last Night's NAB Marconi Awards.....KVFD-AM, Fort Dodge, Iowa has been named.....

Adult Standards ---Station of the Year

So....I'm going to use the "back of the rate card" to tell you about this little radio station and it's operating style. First off, KVFD is Fort Dodge's heritage station..... on the air over 50 - some years. An AM station....1,000 watts at 1400-on-the-dial. No big deal. Unless you live in Fort Dodge.

Until 1988 KVFD was operated by two different owners, over 40 some years....both deeply committed to Community Radio and Community service. At that time the station was sold to a new owner, of which I was 50% owner and 100% non-active. The other 50% directed the operation.... and although everyone tried real hard, the station stumbled, sales fell, formats changed, and there were 4-5 managers over 3 years.

I was embarrassed and tired of feeding (cash) the operation. I offered to sell-out to the other 50% owner, who reversed the roles and I ended up buying it. We were so concerned about "it's history" we didn't merge it into Sorenson Broadcasting for over a year. Wanted to be sure all the skeletons were found and buried.

Needing a manager we found Bill Grady. Grew up in Fort Dodge and was working in Wisconsin and wanted to return to Iowa. We found Bill to be honest, interested, well rounded in all areas of radio....and had parents and family in Fort Dodge. For over a year, Bill only fixed things, and fought off all the problems you encounter in a messy radio station. He was persistent, and I would hope SBC was patient. Financially, we were in a negative cash flow position. Each year Bill made his station stronger, helped develop his staff, and "took risks" which usually resulted in stronger sales.

The station was already using the Transtar/Unistar/Westwood One "AM Only/Adult Standards" format. Combined with a local news department and CBS....KVFD is still considered Fort Dodge's Full-Service Station. Most of the time, they have a fulltime on-air staff of ONLY 4..... for KVFD and it's FM Sister-KUEL.

Last April KVFD received the NAB Crystal Award. And now.....the Marconi. Yes...... Bill is ahead of schedule on his ever-increasing profit margin. 26% year to date......and he does "make budget".

In 1998 Bill became an SBC Regional-Manager, with responsibilities for Red Wing, as well as Fort Dodge. He's on the Iowa Broadcasters Assn Board, Community efforts, and makes us all proud of his station and him.

I hope I can be in business with many Bill Grady's.... for a whole lot of years. He is one fine Broadcaster...if you don't mind my honesty!

Some of you met Bill earlier this month in Dubuque.

Thank You....
Dean Sorenson