Rehr Resigns From NAB After Member Ire, Policy Losses
David Rehr resigned Wednesday as head of the NAB in response to ire from some members over policy losses for broadcasters and what they saw as his lack of engagement on Capitol Hill and at the FCC on crucial issues. Rehr’s departure was a sudden one, in that no successor was named and a search for his replacement is just getting under way, said broadcast executives. But some saw it as a long time coming after losses on white spaces at the FCC, which also approved the purchase of XM by Sirius over the NAB’s objections, and congressional delay of the DTV transition and other setbacks.
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The failed fight against the combination of Sirius and XM cost $8 million and “he got nothing in return,” said an industry executive. Also a “major factor” was the FCC’s order to approve some use of the white-space spectrum, the executive said. NAB board members also were concerned that Congress will pass a bill requiring terrestrial radio stations to pay performance royalties, said industry executives. “This has been under consideration for a long time,” said one. “Longer than people think.”
Several executives agreed that the NAB must move fast to find a replacement for Rehr. “Clearly we need a rainmaker and we need one fast,” said Shaun Sheehan, a Tribune vice president. “We've got daunting tasks before us and you've got to have the confidence of your leadership to go forward.” The date when Rehr will leave the NAB is being worked out, said a broadcast executive. Rehr was paid $770,000 in the most recent year for which records are available, according to the NAB’s most recent tax filing (CD Feb 24 p5).
Rehr will “continue in his current role during a transition phase” and Janet McGregor, the NAB’s chief operating and financial officer, will “work closely with him and assume day-to-day duties until a successor is named,” the group said. “We are prepared and well positioned to represent radio and television’s best interests as we progress into the digital future,” said Jack Sander, NAB Joint Board chairman, in a news release.
Rehr may also have been seen as less effective in front of the administration of President Barack Obama, which is perceived as anti-lobbyist, a broadcast executive said. “He was Tom DeLay’s disciple and that’s kind of gone out of vogue,” said another executive, referring to the former House majority leader.