Usually, CEOs are accused of being overly rosy when it comes to their industry's projected health. That's why it was interesting to hear the recent comments from the new Chairman/CEO of the company that just bought the bankrupt Chicago Sun Times.
James Tyree predicted that "newspapers have got a good strong 10 years. By then, you'll have to evolve into something else – maybe five years evolve into something else – or you'll just be out of business."
Whoa.
Perhaps if you knew you only had 10 years to live, it would be tragic but perhaps motivating. Knowing your life was limited to a relatively short period of time, how would you live it differently? How would you rethink your career, your family, your financial situation, and your overall life?
Would you go to Hawaii? Would you take that cooking class? Would you get married? Or divorced? Would your life change?
A 10-year window might make you better. It might make you more innovative and dynamic. It might motivate you to do something special.
What if this same pronouncement came from a new radio CEO, taking over one of radio's bankrupt companies?
What if radio only had 10 productive years left?
What would radio companies do differently? How would stations rethink their content, their marketing models, their talent, and their entire business plans?
How would attitudes about entertainment, content, competition, and customer service and benefit change?
What ideas that have been sitting on the shelf would go into action? What kinds of risks would be taken?
And could any of these moves benefit radio right now?
Jacobs Media has consistently walked the walk in the digital space, providing insights and guidance through its well-read national Techsurveys.
In 2008, jacapps was launched - a mobile apps company that has designed and built more than 1,300 apps for both the Apple and Android platforms. In 2013, the DASH Conference was created - a mashup of radio and automotive, designed to foster better understanding of the "connected car" and its impact.
Along with providing the creative and intellectual direction for the company, Fred consults many of Jacobs Media's commercial and public radio clients, in addition to media brands looking to thrive in the rapidly changing tech environment.
Fred was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in 2018.
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