August 5, 2005

Partnership with WDBM "Impact" 89FM at MSU and MAB

LANSING – Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today highlighted recent job-creating international investments in Michigan as the first topic to discuss in her new weekly radio address and podcast that begins today.  The Governor’s address is being made possible through a partnership with WDBM-FM, ‘The Impact,’ at Michigan State University (MSU).
 
“This weekly radio address gives me an opportunity to talk directly to the citizens of Michigan about what their government is doing to improve their state for them,” said Granholm.  “From our efforts to reshape Michigan’s economy and give every child the opportunity to attend college, to our state programs that are protecting children or offering lower-cost prescription drugs, I want the people of Michigan to know about the great work we’re getting done on their behalf.”
 
The text of today’s address on the Governor’s investment mission to Japan is attached. The Governor’s weekly address will be released each Friday at 10:00 a.m. and may be heard on broadcast stations across the state through an affiliation with the Michigan Association of Broadcasters (MAB). 
 
“The Michigan Association of Broadcasters is pleased to participate with WDBM-FM to make the Governor's weekly message easily accessible to all members in a news friendly format and in advance of its general distribution,” said Karole White, President of the MAB. 
 
The address will also be available on the Governor’s website on Mondays as a podcast for general distribution to personal MP3 players and home computers.
 
Granholm noted that not only is her office interested in helping citizens know more about the work being done on their behalf, it is using podcasting – the latest option for sharing information – to deliver that message.
 
“Podcasting is growing in popularity among young adults and this is a way to engage young people’s interest in the information that ultimately could affect their world,” Granholm added.

The Governor’s address will be recorded and prepared for distribution by Michigan State University students.  Gary Reid, General Manager of WDBM-FM and a telecommunication faculty member at MSU, will serve as the Executive Producer.
 
“This is a great learning experience for our students and a wonderful opportunity to make good on our commitment to public service” Reid said.  “Education and innovation is at the heart of what we do at Michigan State, and I am pleased to work with the Governor in this new endeavor.”
 
WDBM has been named College Station of the Year five of the past six years by the Michigan Association of Broadcasters and Broadcast Music, Inc.  “The IMPACT” was the first college station in the country to broadcast digitally in the new HD digital radio format.

To listen to Governor Granholm’s Podcast visit:  www.michigan.gov/gov

Broadcasters Note:  Governor Granholm’s Radio Address can be accessed through Sunday evening exclusively through the Members Only Page of the Michigan Association of Broadcasters website:  www.michmab.com