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Underwriting Guidelines

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Public radio uses the term underwriting instead of advertising. Since Delmarva Public Media is a non-profit, non-commercial radio group, we fall under a different set of guidelines that govern how we operate. As a program underwriter, you will receive informative and concise announcements which recognize your business - at times when the people you want to reach are listening. People will remember and appreciate you for your part in bringing exceptional programming to the airwaves.

What We Can Say About You

  • The name of your business
  • The location and phone number where our listeners can reach you
  • Audio logo-grams or slogans that identify and do not promote
  • Value-neutral descriptions of products or services
  • Brand and trade names of product or service listings that do not include qualitative or comparative language

What Can't Be Said

  • Pricing information, such as "tickets are $15 at the door"
  • Calls to action, such as "stop by our store"
  • Talking directly to the listener
  • Inducements to purchase, such as "six months; free service"
  • Qualitative or comparative language, such as "your #1 choice for steaks"
  • Subjective language, such as "easy to understand"
  • Music or sound-bites (all scripts are read by station personnel)

We Can Help Your Business
While public radio underwriting is subject to stricter rules than ad copy on commercial radio, chances are we can say what you want us to. We just may not be able to use some of the words you might first think of. We know the rules, and we can work with you to get your message out.

Copy Points
Tell us what you want to say - not in specific words, but in broad terms. Then let us work out the details. We'll get your message out, and our listeners will appreciate the fact that you support our stations without the invasiveness of traditional advertising.

Copy Length
A 20-second message uses approximately 85 syllables. This is the syllable count of all spoken words in the script - so a street address and phone number each count in words as the quantity of numbers they have (for example, a typical phone number counts as seven words).

Contact Our Corporate Support Staff:

Hannah Miller - Serving Maryland-based businesses

Greer Stangl - Serving Delaware-based businesses