HAS NAB FOUND SCAPEGOAT FOR ROBBINS SPEECH?

NAB staffer Pam Magnani found herself out of a job this week, possibly due to her role in scheduling Tim Robbins as the keynote speaker at the NAB convention last week, according to sources.

Magnani was senior vice president, meetings and conferences, reporting to Chris Brown, executive vice president, conventions and business operations.

At the NAB opening session, Robbins upset some broadcasters—delighted others—with a humorous, but profanity-laced speech that criticized media and called on broadcasters to air programming that "can lift us up into a more enlightened age." Although some walked out, most in the huge ballroom gave him a standing ovation.

Among those upset by the speech were members of the NAB board of directors.

According to one source, Magnani's involvement in giving Robbins the prime convention spot led to her departure, although it is not clear whether she was fired or resigned.

Magnani could not be reached for comment Thursday evening.

NAB spokesman Dennis Wharton would not discuss the matter, saying: "The NAB does not comment on personnel issues."