Voice (fan organization)

Name:	Voice
Date(s):	1967-?
Profit/Nonprofit:
Country based in:	Washington State (three towns listed: Auburn, Sumner, Seattle)
Focus:
External Links:
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a 1967 flyer

Voice was a optimistic, but very short-lived for-profit company created to, among other things, challenge what fans felt to be the stranglehold The Nielsen Ratings had over television content.

Jack V. Ritter was the president of Technic Research Corporation. Another contact person was Vera Heminger. Bjo Trimble was a vocal proponent of this endeavor.

This company was a "division" of Technic Research Corporation, and it capitalized on frustrations with the threatened cancellation of Star Trek: TOS. The company also sold other products; an ad the February 1968 issue of "Popular Mechanics," hawked a "new copyrighted security device against shoplifting and holdups - a money maker." One could buy manufacturing rights and detailed drawings for $25.

"Voice" was one of the several projects to come out of the fan club called Vulcan Consulate.

This effort lasted only a few months: "Vera Heminger writes that VOICE, the organization which had hoped to give the Nielsen ratings a fight, is folding. VOICE will be returning the $2 membership fees — it did not even reach the 200-member level. Regrettable." These fees, however, appear to have never been refunded:

Remember VOICE, the organization that was going to try to compete with Nielsen? It folded some months ago, but I have yet to hear of anyone who joined receiving a refund of their $2 membership fee. The VOICE address was Jack Ritter, VOICE, 2450 Sixth Ave. South, Seattle, Wash. 98134 Jack Ritter's address is [street address redacted] Wash. 98390. Shall we call the matter to his attention?

Some Mentions

Winter 1968

Hailing frequencies open — Well, fen, the effects of the "Save Star Trek" campaign are beginning to be felt. Letters have been pouring in to NBC, to TV Guide, and other magazines and newspapers. There was an orderly and well-publicized march on NBC in Burbank, and another on NBC in New York. At last, somebody besides Nielsen is making some noise — we are making ourselves heard.

Spring 1968

From from Plak-Tow, likely by Bjo Trimble, the organization's biggest fan booster:

[February 1968]:

NBC has now made two please for us to stop swamping them with mail public announcements of ST's renewal. Cheerful news from Bjo Trimble — "NBC received over one million letters—and since the first announcement, they've gotten 70,000 thank-you letters!" Yes, we managed to get their attention....but how can we keep it, so that we won't have to do this all over again next year? What we need is a VOICE to drown out the Nielsens!

VOICE, a division of TECHNIC RESEARCH CORPORATION, Seattle, wants to give the public a direct representation to the networks. Letters concerning such categories as "Programming Improvement," "Program Re-scheduling," "Program Cancellation," "Advertising Saturation," and "Concepts" are categorized, tabulated and presented to the networks by VOICE. With direct representation, your complaint, request or compliment will receive the attention and consideration it deserves. VOICE, after having taken these matters to the networks, will provide members quarterly reports giving full details on their comments, decisions and commitments. VOICE will also provide to independent, network affiliates, educational and CATV stations, a copy of this report, to assist them in their local program scheduling. Annual membership in VOICE is $2. Write to Vera Heminger: [address in Auburn, Wash. 98002 redacted]. This is YOUR chance to be heard!

VOICE is registered with the Better Business Bureau and the Attorney General. More information will be enclosed, with this issue [of Plak-Tow] or the next, about VOICE. And a few additional facts just received—(1) clubs can send for registration cards and earn money by signing up new VOICE members; (2) VOICE membership fee goes up to $3 after June 1; (3) VOICE'S first quarterly report will be published in June. Help stamp out Nielsens and writer's cramp - join VOICE!

Bjo Trimble wanted fans to take power back from "little old ladies" and those who lived in "Armpit, Arizona," as well as the "idiot Neilsons" [sic]:

[March 1968]:

So now what do we do, to keep from having to do this every year? Simple; we fight the Neilsons [sic]. We try to keep 1100 families from making up the minds of 55 million+ people. How do we do that? We speak up; demand a VOICE in the matter.

There is no way to get rid of the Neilsons without giving the networks another "security blanket" (as has been said, network officials can be fired for making decisions; so they try not to make decisions unless they've something on which to blame everything). Therefore, Technic Research Corporation has come up with an idea to replace Neilsons with our VOICE, instead.

The attached information will tell you about the idea; I heartily recommend that everyone send in their membership NOW. If you publish a zine, tell your readership about this: send for more cards or copy the info (and mention where you saw it). Pass the word to anyone who is interested in seeing that his opinions get as much attention by the networks as those "Neilson families" in Armpit, Ariz.

I still don't know how these people are even going to buy computer time for the $2.00 membership, but if it will give us a VOICE in TV programming, the price is a real bargain! If enough intelligent, aware people join this movement, VOICE can drown out the "little old lady" attitudes of the average Neilson family (as the ratings would quickly show!). This is your chance to stop talking about it and Do Something; use your VOICE to avoid having to save STAR TREK (or any other favorite show) each and every year from the idiot Neilsons. Here is the chance you've said you wanted, to fight! Go!

TRC is registered with the Attorney General and the Better Business Bureau.

from Chatter Boxes:

[March/April 1968]: ARE YOU, A TV VIEWER, TIRED OF HAVING THE TASTES OF 1100 HOMES DECIDE WHAT YOU WILL WATCH NEXT YEAR? Now we viewers can have a VOICE in TV programming; VOICE, a division of TECHNIC RESEARCH, Seattle, wants to give the public a direct representation to the networks. VOICE is the organization that strives to achieve for its members a true VOICE in television programming. Never before has the opportunity bean offered to the neglected TV set owner, the victim of NIELSEN RATINGS, MISINFORMED MADISON AVENUE ADVERTISING AGENCIES AND NETWORK EXECUTIVES, to have a true VOICE in TV programming. Letters concerning such categories as "Programming Improvement", "Program Re-scheduling", "Program Cancellation", "Advertising Saturation", and "Concepts" are categorized, tabulated and presented to the respective network in documented form by an account executive of VOICE. With direct representation, you are assured that your complaint, request or compliment will receive the attention and consideration that it deserves. VOICE'S job does not stop there! After having taken these matters to the networks, VOICE will provide to its members quarterly mailed reports giving full details as to their comments, decisions & commitments. In addition, VOICE will provide to independent, network affiliates, educational and CATV television stations, a copy of VOICE'S quarterly report...to assist them in their local program scheduling. Registration & Annual Membership Fee is $2. Each member will be mailed a membership card, six self-addressed envelopes and six complaint/request/compliment forms. Membership card will show member's name, address, membership number & expiration date. No complaint/request/compliment will be acted upon, unless presented on the official form provided and presented by a paid-up member. For further information about VOICE, write to: Mrs. Vera Heminger [address in Seattle, WA redacted]. THIS IS YOUR CHANCE TO BE HEARD.

From Star-Fleet Communications:

[April 1968]:

A VOICE IN TV PROGRAMMING FOR YOU!!!!

Enclosed with this bulletin is a copy of the new organization, VOICE's format - and a membership application. Through VOICE we hope to "bury" Neilsen Ratings [sic] forever and let the viewers REALLY have a "voice" in what we want to see.

Every member should join, that is, just those members who really enjoy STAR TREK and those who want to see it for years, not just months because of 1500 Neilsen Families.

If YOU, sitting there, reading this, want the programs (STAR TREK, remember?) YOU enjoy on Television then take $2.00 send in your VOICE application and really PROVE IT!

Need I say more?????? JOIN VOICE!

Summer 1968

From Chatter Boxes:

Vera Heminger... keeps the gals in Vulcan Consulate active. When it appeared ST was doomed, they turned out en mass in costume (ST style) to picket the NBC studios. Also, actively engaged in letter-writing contests to protest the new time slot given to ST. They are also active in VOICE, and organization protesting the TV-rating system which oftentimes seems so unfair and doesn't reflect viewing of the average person. Vera has also started a campaign of writing to the president and Betty Furness demanding that they re-open the 1963 hearings on Nielson ratings.

Fall 1968

But then the ratings system raised its ugly head

And Nielsen's thousand meters hissed, "The Enterprise is dead!"

The fans all started writing, and —a lovely sight to see —

A tidal wave of mail came in and covered NBC.

[...]

There is a man in Hollywood beset by Klingon plots—

The close-watched Nielsen ratings and the barely-watched time slots.

It's up to all of us to keep the E upon the screen,

So sock it to the network! For Star Trek, and for Gene!