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NPR News & NPR Talk in Central Virginia and the Shenandoah Valley
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Business, Foundation and Organization Support

Now in our 50th year as an NPR affiliate, WMRA Public Radio informs, connects, and engages communities through journalism, broadcasting and outreach.

Public Radio is Different

WMRA is a listener-supported service of James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia. WMRA is funded entirely by the people it serves: listeners, non-profit organizations, and corporate underwriters, each sharing in the commitment to make this unique non-profit service possible.

What you won't find on WMRA:

  • Political campaign ads
  • More than 2 or 3 local underwriting messages per break
  • Back-to-back messages from competing businesses

What you will find on WMRA:

  • Award-winning news
  • In-depth reporting
  • Culture, entertainment & humor

WMRA Listeners Are:

  • Well-educated
  • Affluent
  • Influential community supporters

Gain Coverage

With five stations on the FM dial, WMRA’s network reaches listeners all across the Shenandoah Valley and Central Virginia.

Our headquarters are in Harrisonburg, and our signal is repeated in the Charlottesville, Lexington, Winchester, and Farmville markets.

Gain Credibility

A 2012 study by Jacobs Media identified a phenomenon known as The Halo Effect, which revealed that listeners take underwriting messages more seriously.

Underwriters are perceived as honest, socially responsible, and providers of a high-quality product.

Underwriting Guidelines

WMRA is a non-commercial station, and adherence to FCC underwriting guidelines is required. The station may identify your organization, but cannot “promote” it.

Your message is integrated into WMRA’s regular programming. There is no tune-out factor as with commercial stations. Your organization’s reputation is consistent with the high level of quality that listeners have come to expect from WMRA.

Spot Length

WMRA offers 10-second and 20-second options for underwriting announcements (“spots”). Copy begins with an identifying message (“support comes from…”) followed by the name of your organization.

FCC Guidelines

  • Spots can include non-comparative, factual information about your organization.
  • Spots cannot include qualitative, comparative, or promotional language.

Sample Underwriting Copy

Support for WMRA comes from... Fisher and Phillips LLP, a national employment law firm that represents employers in Anytown and across the nation. Fisher and Phillips is online at labor lawyers dot com.

WMRA is also supported by... The Anytown Fringe Festival, which turns five this year. Over 80 performances by 24 artists. March 2nd through 11th. Schedule and ticket information are available at Anytown Fringe Festival dot org.

For more information, contact our Account Executives: