Eau Claire

“Normally for a big celebration like this, we would gather a bunch of people and put them on the set and bring out a cake and really celebrate,” said Andrew Felix, WEAU’s creative services director. “However, because of COVID-19 and social distancing we had to do things differently.”

I’m looking to share how TV stations in the U.S. are promoting and covering the coronavirus pandemic in their markets. You can contact me at paul@newscheckmedia.com or call me with any questions at 817-578-6324.

Eau Claire, Wis., about 90 miles east of Minneapolis, broke the record for the most snowfall in February with 53 inches. Andrew Felix, promotion and creative services director at Gray’s WEAU, the NBC affiliate there, saw it as a marketing opportunity.

TV stations have tremendous power to make a change in their community. So when three Girls Scouts and a parent were killed by an impaired driver while cleaning up a section of highway in Wisconsin, WEAU, Gray’s NBC affiliate in Eau Claire, organized a fundraiser. “Our goal was to raise $40,000 so we could hit the full $40,000 match. We exceeded the goal by $3,201,” said Andrew Felix, WEAU’s creative services director. “WEAU adopted the mantra ‘Community First’ in 2009. WEAU’s commitment to community goes beyond a slogan; it reflects how we operate as a station.”

More vintage TV news print ads sent by local TV stations, including one promoting a new tower capable of reaching 2 million cows. “I laughed when I read your article about old TV newspaper ads. My how times have changed!”