UNL's 90.3 KRNU launches free 'Extra Vaganza' coupon book

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. The free 'Extra Vaganza' booklet 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 listeners 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."

The station's underwriters include McDonald's, Gary Michaels Clothiers, Sartor Hamann, AutoSounds, Walmart, Husker Authentic, 48 Bowl Inc. and The Coffee House.

The free KRNU 'Extra Vaganza' booklets may be picked up at the following Lincoln locations while supplies lasts: The Coffee House, 1324 P St.; Gary Michaels Clothiers, 6000 Village Drive; Sartor Hamann. 1140 O St.; AutoSounds, 4720 O St.; Hollywood Bowl, 920 N. 48th St.; Parkway Lanes, 2555 S. 48th St.; and Husker Authentic, 625 Stadium Drive.

For more information on the station, to inquire about underwriting opportunities, and to listen to live streaming, visit http://krnu.unl.edu.