Chairman’s Report 30th September 1983
I want to begin by paying tribute to my predecessor, Norman Devonport. He relinquished the chairmanship at the last AGM and hoped to find more time to indulge his passion for sailing. Tragically he died in July before he could fulfil any of his ambitions for long-distance cruising in his boat ‘Devon Dawn’. We all miss him as a friend and fellow director but will always remember him for the enthusiasm and drive which led to our successful franchise application and for the first two very successful years under his leadership. I am delighted to be able to say that Angela Devonport has agreed to fill his place on the board.
In the last reported that the departures of our original Managing Director and Programme Controller were referred to, and, as the year went on, the opening of a number of new ILR stations meant that they were followed by other members of the staff. These changes resulted in the loss of continuity in many areas and were partly responsible for the very disappointing results which I have to announce this year. Sales fell by 15 percent while expenditure rose by 13 percent resulting in a very heavy loss of over £150,000. Much of the extra expenditure was incurred to maintain the momentum in the early part of the year and to combat the launch of breakfast television and the BBC local radio service for Devon. The success of our campaign can be gauged by the fact that if the national JIRCRAR audience figures for the Spring had been published it would have been seen that we managed to improve our listenership marginally over the Autumn of 1982 measured in spite of the new competition.
The popularity of DevonAir continues throughout our area and coverage of important events provided highlights of the years broadcasting. Among these were the Royal Maunday service in Exeter Cathedral, a very good and authoritive election night special in June, a programme from the Sidmouth Folk Festival in July and a concert in the Cathedral in October in the presence of her Royal Highness Princess Anne in aid of St John Ambulance Association. This concert was recorded by DevonAir staff and reproduced as a long playing record for sale the profit from which will go to the St John Ambulance Association. The annual DevonCare charity auction was again a great success and raised more than £15,000 to be distributed for the benefit of the handicapped children. This sum was raised during two years of unrelenting pressure on the station and great credit is due to them for the magnificent result, as well as much gratitude to our listeners for their marvellous response. The sound of DevonAir and its daily output is the responsibility of David Cousins and our thanks go to him for his energy and enthusiasm and to the entire programme staff under his leadership. I am very pleased to be able to announce his election to the Board of Directors.
Advertising revenue during 1983 and was very disappointing for a number of reasons. During the year we appointed an almost entirely new sales team and under the direction of Ken Whitaker and good start has been made and our target for local sales in 1984. Some new initiatives have already been made, for instance the town weeks of open-air broadcasting from the main centres in our area, and a ‘Computer Car’, a computerised list to facilitate the customer search for a second-hand car of his choice. These developments will be followed by others in due course and I am confident that we should be able to obtain a satisfactory share of the advertising market that we cover. It is still very difficult for the smaller stations to get a decent share of national sales campaigns but we shall continue begin in close touch with our sales agents in London.
Although we shall need to maintain the utmost diligence during 1984, DevonAir has a strong and determined team and I’m confident of a satisfactory result
Ian Amory