Market Enginuity

In 1997, Public Radio International, backed by a grant from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, created the Public Radio Underwriting Partnership (PRUP) to discover best practices for commercial broadcasters that could apply to public radio corporate support. Jim Taszarek, Sr., a veteran commercial broadcaster, spearheaded the project. From 1997 to '99 'Taz' met with scores of personnel at 10 selected stations. After intense study, he shared recommendations that became industry standard. In 1999, KJZZ / K-BACH General Manager Carl Matthusen sought corporate support increases and hired Jim Taszarek, Jr. to provide corporate sponsorship representation in the local marketplace. The relationship and results inspired other public radio stations to follow suit. Partnering with Kirk Nelson, a successful commercial radio sales manager, Market Enginuity formed. As public radio and television stations built platforms and extended content to serve a digital evolution, Market Enginuity brought aboard digital special