This page last updated Sunday, July 14, 2013

 

WAKY's 1983 "Phrase That Pays" Contest

In the Fall of 1983, WAKY ran a contest called "Phrase That Pays." Leonard Yates, a WAKY DJ at the time, provided a copy of the contest rules and formatics, which we've reproduced here.

OFFICIAL RULES FOR WAKY'S
"PHRASE THAT PAYS" CONTEST

1. The contest begins Monday, October 3, 1983 and concludes Sunday, October 30, 1983.
2. The contest is limited, without restriction to age, to families or persons with residential telephone listings in the following directories for Jefferson, Oldham and Bullitt counties in Kentucky and Floyd and Clark counties in Indiana:

SOUTH CENTRAL BELL  29550*
INDIANA BELL        24016*
ALLIED TELEPHONE    29886*

*reference numbers appearing on the spine of the directory
3. Prizes offered will range from $100.00 to $100,000.00. All taxes will be the responsibility or the winner, who will also be responsible for reporting this income as required by law.
4. A minimum of 48 completed outbound calls will be made during the contest period. Additional calls may be made, at the discretion of the management of WAKY, in order to sustain audience interest. Only one participant will be given the opportunity to win the $100,000.00 prize and only one participant will be given the opportunity to win the $10,000.00 prize. All other participants will be given the opportunity to win prizes in the amount of $100.00 or $1000.00.
5. Each day WAKY Radio will announce a "phrase that pays." Some phrases may be used more than once. The contest participant must be able to repeat the phrase verbatim on the first attempt and within a time limit of one minute.
6. Outbound contest calls will be made between the hours of 9AM and 9PM. Only designated employees of WAKY Radio will originate the calls. WAKY bears no responsibility for calls made by any unauthorized person. Any unclaimed or unawarded cash prizes remain the property of WAKY Radio. Pre-determined contest times have been set.
7. Telephone numbers used in the contest have been selected at random by the accounting firm of Plaut and Tonini, CPA, and provided to WAKY in sealed envelopes. These envelopes will be opened only immediately prior to the attempted call.
8. If the call cannot be completed due to a busy signal, or if there is no answer after 10 rings, a new contestant will be chosen.
9. Contest rules are available at the WAKY studios, 558 4th Avenue, Louisville, during normal business hours Monday thru Friday.

ON-AIR PHRASE FORMAT

Here is today's WAKY "Phrase That Pays." This phrase could be worth prizes from $100.00 to $1000,000.00…so please listen carefully...

(PHRASE)

Remember, you must repeat the phrase exactly as I've just given it in order to win. So, again, here is today's WAKY "Phrase That Pays…"

(PHRASE)

Write it down, keep it next to your telephone, and make sure everyone in your family knows today's phrase. If we call you, it could win you up to $100,000.00 from your friends at WAKY.

RULES AND REMINDERS

1.

The first and most important rule is that we never say "WAKY is giving away $100,000.00," or "You can win $100,000.00." We will give away several thousand dollars, but we are only offering a chance to win the $10,000.00 and $100,000.00 prizes.

2.

Contest calls will be made Monday thru Sunday between the hours of 9AM and 9PM. All calls will be supervised by either Bob Moody or Mark Strauss. We will provide you with the envelopes.

3.

Each day's phrase will be attached to the log in a sealed envelope. This envelope will be opened only by the jock who is on first that day.

4.

Give the phrase (see attached format) at least once per daypart, but not more than twice. The phrase must be read exactly as written. Promote ahead that the next jock will be giving the phrase again.

5.

When you are brought a completed call on cart, air it as soon as possible without indicating it's a winner or not. EXAMPLE: "B.J. Koltee just minutes ago placed another call in WAKY's Phrase That Pays Contest..." (play cart)

6.

We will not promote the times of our contest calls, other than the fact that calls will be made between 9AM and 9PM, seven days a week.

7.

Promote that complete contest rules are available during regular business hours, Monday thru Friday, at our studios or by sending a stamped, self-addressed envelope to: WAKY "Phrase That Pays," 558 4th Avenue, Louisville, KY, 40202.

8.

Do not say that everyone with a residential listing in the 5 county area is eligible. Almost all exchanges are included, but there are some exceptions.

9.

The phrases must not be given to anyone except during your on-air announcements. IF someone calls asking for the phrase, tell them to keep listening. Do not reveal the exact time of the next phrase announcement.

PHONE CALL PROCEDURE

NOTE: All calls must be taped and saved!!

1. You will be given a sealed envelope containing a name and phone number. Open this only immediately before dialing.
2. Identify yourself and establish that you have the right number. EXAMPLE: "Hi, this is Bob Moody at WAKY. Is this the John Doe residence?" IF NOT: "Is this 555-1212?"
3. Ask the person to identify themselves, then explain the contest. EXAMPLE: "John, if you can repeat to me today's phrase that pays you'll win a cash prize. I'm going to open a sealed envelope now to see how much you're playing for. Okay, you're playing for $1,000.00 Can you give me today's phrase?"
4. The caller must give the correct phrase on the first attempt and within one minute. For our purposes, W-A-K-Y and WACKIE are interchangeable.

IF INCORRECT: Thank them and proceed to step #5

IF YOU HAVE A WINNER: Make a lot of noise, then proceed to steps #5 and #6.
5. While still taping, ask for their permission to use the call on the air. Encourage their cooperation.
6. Winners should be told that we will contact them to pick up their check upon arrival from our corporate offices. They should allow 4 weeks for processing. Notify Bob Moody or Mark Strauss immediately upon having a winner.

Except when permission to air the tape is denied, all calls, both winners and losers, should be carted and given to the jock on the air. The cart should not contain the request for permission.

WHAT TO DO IF....

THERE IS NO ANSWER AFTER TEN RINGS; Request another envelope and try again.

YOU GET A BUSY SIGNAL; Request another envelope and try a new number.

THE CONTESTANT DOESN'T BELIEVE YOU'RE SERIOUS; Invite them to call our published number (589-7979) to confirm, then make sure their return call is answered promptly.

YOU RECOGNIZE THE PERSON YOU ARE TO CALL; Report this fact to Bob Moody or Mark Strauss before placing the call. The call will be made by another member of our staff. We must avoid even the appearance of anything illegal. Multimedia employees and their immediate families are, of course, ineligible.

THE PHRASE IS CLOSE, BUT NOT EXACT: The phrase must be repeated verbatim, except that "W-A-K-Y" and "WACKIE" are interchangeable.