So a couple of weeks ago, I gave a well-deserved shout-out to my alma mater, Michigan State University.
This week, it’s my “other alma mater,” the University of Michigan, where I received a Bachelor’s of General Studies degree back in the early ‘70s. (You can look it up, Yahoo board – it’s a fact.)
It turns out that a fellow Michigan alum is none other than one of Google’s founders and CEO, Larry Page. He tells the story about his student career and attending a summer leadership course. Its slogan – “a healthy regard for the impossible” – has been rumbling around in his head ever since.
This philosophy is about dreaming big, and acting on those dreams. Page now talks about Google+ in that same way. According to our Techsurvey8, Google+ is already at the 16% penetration point, and looking pretty good. One of its best innovations is something that radio could and should be tapping into – “Google Hangouts.”
Here’s Page’s retelling of how it came about: “Last year, the Google+ team decided to integrate multi-person video into their efforts. They had a small committed team that was crazy enough to believe this was possible, and Google+ Hangouts was born. You can now video chat with anyone, anywhere, even from the Great Barrier Reef.”
Finding innovative new ways to use existing resources to improve lives and foster communications should be something that radio could strive to accomplish. A mature, ubiquitous medium that has well more than 90% penetration is in a great position to change the game.
But it comes down to creating agile teams of innovators who have the freedom to fail. If we’ve learned anything in the past decade, it’s that change is in the air and it happens fast.
Innovation isn’t creating an algorithm like Pandora’s or a deals program like Groupon’s. It’s developing new applications that can leverage radio strengths in unique and creative ways. What is it about the simplicity of the radio model that lends itself to new ideas and apps? Is it about new HD Radio uses, creative deployment of old AM radio signals, an industry-wide approach to tempting youth?
Radio needs to be a part of the change and innovation that we see in the culture of digital companies.
Just ask a Wolverine.
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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Amen Fred. Amen.
Kelly, the entire radio world benefits from your enthusiasm and optimism. Thanks for the comment.