December 18, 2009 (Lincoln, Neb.) – The University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s campus radio station, 90.3 KRNU, has created a new marketing tool to generate funds and promote its new underwriting program. On Dec. 18, KRNU will release its free ‘Extra Vaganza’ booklet to the public which contains coupons to retailers participating as new KRNU underwriting sponsors.
The ‘Extra Vaganza’ booklet was developed by a team of advertising students as part of an independent study class. The team, dubbed the KRNU Execution Squad, is responsible for carrying out the station's integrated communications plan to increase underwriting opportunities and listenership among UNL and Lincoln's high school students. The goal of the ‘Extra Vaganza’ booklets is to generate revenue that can be used to subsidize KRNU operating costs and implement future promotional efforts, while passing on holiday savings to UNL students and supplementing its underwriters.
This effort is part of the College of Journalism and Mass Communication's campaign to promote the "new" 90.3 KRNU and to further strengthen the station's position as Lincoln's only authentic source for independent music. In August, the station reformatted its programming to include a more streamlined variety of music that would appeal to the indie/alternative interests of listeners ages 18-24. This change included the addition of a new Web channel and underwriting announcements by commercial businesses.
As a noncommercial station, underwriting is a new endeavor for KRNU and part of the college’s new emphasis on media sales.
"We felt this coupon booklet would be a good way to draw attention to some of the underwriters that are now providing financial support to the station, as well as to give our students some real-world advertising campaign and media sales experience," said Rick Alloway, KRNU's general manager. “Underwriting is still fairly new to KRNU and projects like this are a great way to expand and enhance our partnerships with area businesses,” said Alloway.
The station’s current underwriters include McDonald's, Gary Michaels Clothiers, Sartor Hamann, AutoSounds, Walmart, Husker Authentic, 48 Bowl Inc. and The Coffee House.
Beginning Dec. 18, the free KRNU ‘Extra Vaganza’ booklets may be picked up at the following Lincoln locations while supply lasts:
- The Coffee House (1324 P St)
- Gary Michaels Clothiers (6000 Village Dr)
- Sartor Hamann (1140 O St)
- AutoSounds (4720 O St)
- Hollywood Bowl (920 N 48 St)
- Parkway Lanes (2555 S 48 St)
- Husker Authentic (625 Stadium Dr)
For more information on the station, to inquire about underwriting opportunities, and to listen to live streaming, visit krnu.unl.edu. For more information on the University of Nebraska's College of Journalism and Mass Communication visit www.unl.edu/journalism.
KRNU at Big Red Welcome
90.3 KRNU launched its new brand image to the incoming freshman class at Big Red Welcome?s free concert August 22 on the green space of the UNL student union. The event, sponsored by the University Program Council, featured three indie bands ? Mighty Tiger, Little Black Stereo and VitalLight. The bands? music is the kind that is played on KRNU.