Underwriting
If you are interested in underwriting a program on WREK, print out, sign, and fax the WREK Underwriting Form and notify us at the listed contact info.
What is Underwriting?
WREK is funded by the student body of Georgia Tech, donations from alumni and supporters, and underwriting. While the Student Government Association provides us each year with funding for basic operating expenses, additional expenses (equipment upgrades, specialty show music, syndication) often require the support of donors and underwriters. As a non-commercial station, WREK is not allowed to sell time for advertising. However, this regulation does not preclude the selling of time for underwriting purposes.
As an underwriter, rather than an advertiser, you are associated with a particular program or format as a supporter or sponsor. Additionally, all underwriters will be given a banner and website link on WREK’s homepage.
The FCC allows announcements to be made to identify the underwriter. This provides a higher community profile and a more philanthropic appearance than the average advertiser, in exchange for the following restrictions:
- No qualitative language—very important—the language must be “value neutral”; there can be no language that “distinguishes the underwriter from its competitors” or even “seeks to cast its products in a favorable light”
- Even if a statement made about an underwriter is factually true, it is not permissible if it is also promotional (e.g. “Burrito Barn was voted Best Cheap Eats in the city by local food critics”)
- Reasonably short in length — spots longer than 30 seconds are likely to be scrutinized for promotional content
- Lists of items OK
- No “call to action” in the spot
- Passive identifiers are OK (what, when, where, etc.)
- No mention of special sales or discount offers
- No background music
- Spots cannot include contests or giveaways, but contests or giveaways can be done separately in a distinct non-spot break in the program
- “Logograms” are OK
Why Underwrite on WREK?
WREK is a broadcast service of the students of Georgia Tech. Broadcasting at 100,000 Watts, 91.1 FM has a diversified schedule offering something for everyone. Twenty four hours a day, seven days a week, WREK airs its quality programming to the entire greater Atlanta metropolitan area. From The Classics in the morning to Rock, Rhythm, and Roll on weekday afternoons to WREKage on Friday nights, WREK attracts a loyal and active listenership of all ages and interests. The weekly broadcast schedule is presented at www.wrek.org/schedule.
- WREK’s audience is a more active, aware group than the average mainstream radio listenership. The mention of your organization’s name will not be misunderstood or forgotten.
- WREK does not bombard its listeners with loud, flashy spots. Your mention will stand out as an exclusive announcement during the program. It will not get lost in the background among other advertisements.
- WREK broadcasts at 100,000 Watts – the highest wattage permissible by the FCC. This means that your underwriting spot will be broadcast throughout the entire Greater Atlanta area, as well as much of surrounding area.
- WREK’s programming has been hailed as “blessedly diverse” and “the only [station] within hundreds of miles that makes every effort to educate and expose its listeners to radical trends in current music” in Creative Loafing.
- Since 1968, WREK has offered a wide range of genres, attracting listeners interested in funk, international music, hip-hop, noise, truly underground rock, dub, classical, straight ahead jazz, Tech sports, real classic rock, punk, ska, ambient , big-band swing, metal, break-beat, blues, reggae, a “research-library rock and roll talkshow”, and much, much more. Through WREK underwriting, your message will reach a diverse, appreciative audience.
Underwriting Rates
Although our underwriting rate are competitive, all rates are negotiable. Often we will accept donations of goods in place of money, as well.
| Just Jazz and Classical Rotation | Three Spots every Weekday Morning for Two Weeks |
$150 |
| Rock, Rhythm, and Roll and Blue Plate Special Rotation |
Three Spots every Weekday Afternoon for Two Weeks |
$200 |
| Specialty Shows | One Spot at the Beginning and End of Show Each Week for One Semester | Negotiate with show director |
| Atmospherics and Overnight | Three Spots every Weekday Early-Morning (12am – 6am) for Four Weeks | $100 |
| Earth & Sky, Planetary Radio, Tech News, or Ramblin’ WREK Sports Report |
One Spot During Each Airing of that Show for Two Weeks | $100 |
| Weekend Afternoons | Three Spots every Sat + Sun Afternoon for Four Weeks |
$100 |
| Public Affairs | One Spot at the Beginning and End of Show Each Week for One Semester | $100 |
| WREK-HD2 (HD Radio and MP3 Streaming) |
Three Spots Every Day (Pick a Daypart) for Six Weeks | $50 |
| Sports Games – Baseball | Three Spots, per Game | $500 |
| Sports Game – Womens Basketball | Three Spots, per Game | $150 |
We also offer special rates for specialty shows with barter or loan agreements and we can customize any underwriting schedule to best fit your needs.
The Fine Print
Underwriting fees are due by ten days before the spots are to begin running in order to allow time to enter the spots into the system. Checks should pay to the order of WREK Atlanta.
Underwriting contracts at WREK can be made at monthly, semesterly (roughly four months), or yearly intervals.
Arrangements can usually be made for different underwriting terms; please send an email to business.manager@wrek.org to inquire about such arrangements.
WREK thanks you for your time and hopes that you will support WREK in the future, not only with your underwriting contributions, but with your valued listenership
Contact
JJ O’Brien
Business Manager
WREK Atlanta, Georgia Tech Student Radio
350 Ferst Drive NW, Suite 2224
Atlanta, GA 30332-0630
Phone: 404.894.2468
Fax: 404.894.6872 (send notification e-mail)
underwriting@wrek.org
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