I went back to the blog post I wrote last year heading into the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. It was tentative, tired, and it reeked of the unknown.
This year promises to be different. Maybe not “normal” in the 2019 sense, but clearly a year when travel and family gatherings will return in large numbers. Even though the pandemic is not “over,” we are learning COVID coping skills in many varied situations.
At Jacobs Media and jacapps, our office space is a lot quieter than it used to be. I’m hoping that begins to change in 2022. We have not forced the issue – you pay rent whether the place is full or empty. But I do miss the collaboration, the camaraderie, and yes, the laughter.
I don’t miss the airplanes. Paul and I, in particular, are traveling again – not at the old pace, of course. And while most companies have learned that much can be accomplished in virtual meetings, we get more done when we’re together. Like so many things, I expect we’ll end up in a hybrid situation as things settle back into place next year.
As you no doubt know, we will be back at CES early in January. For more than a dozen years (2021 was virtual, of course), the year has started with
innovation in the air. Our annual trek to Las Vegas for these amazing shows has become like a tech boot camp for us.
This year actually promises to be much easier to navigate, as CES attendance promises to be lower. Yet, in our talks with the Consumer Technology Association with whom we collaborate on our tours, we are looking forward to visiting with and learning from Google, Amazon, GM, Mercedes-Benz, LG, and many others as we trek thro0ugh a less jam-packed Las Vegas Convention Center.
We will be taking tours of broadcast execs along for the ride, a practice we began back in 2017.
Our first tour is sold out, and we’ve opened a second. As usual, our package includes admission to CES for its run of show, our tour, and a great dinner where we’ll talk technology, innovation, and of course, radio. More information is linked at the bottom of this post.
In most years, our CES trip is often a harbinger of the future – a sign of what’s to come, not just in radio but in the world around us. More often than not, the innovations we see in January in Las Vegas show up later in the year.
But until then we barrel along, wrapping up another anomalous year where we strive for the old days, living with the growing certainty that it’s going to be different. I think many of us are looking for comfort signs – even small indicators of the lives we used to lead.
For me, this blog has served that purpose. As change and uncertainty have rocked our worlds, it’s those little routines and pleasures that keep us
going. I have deep gratitude that so many of you make it part of your daily regimen. I very much appreciate your encouraging comments (and even the ones that remind me I still have a lot of learning to do). Especially during COVID, it has brought more pleasure to me.
I hope you feel as much thankfulness at this time of year as I do – for friends, clients, industry associations, family, and health. COVID has been a giant reset for many of us. There’s been no shortage of disruptions these past 21 months on both personal and professional levels. Many of us have seized the moment to begin a new chapter in our lives or our careers. Others have closed the book on tradition, habit, and inertia, choosing new options along the way. And some have sadly not survived the experience. We think of them and remember them this holiday season.
It hasn’t been easy, but life always promises to be surprising and unpredictable. If there was any doubt in your mind about that before, there certainly isn’t now.
Enjoy the weekend and share your joy in the company of others.
JacoBLOG will be back on Monday with a fresh post.
No leftovers.
info and registration for our CES 2022 Tour is here.
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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Thanks to you and your team Fred for all you do. We are blessed by the daily insight and discussion you create. For me reading this is a daily ritual that hopefully keeps me one step ahead in the always evolving/pivoting future of our terrific industry.
A toast tomorrow for a day with family and friends. plus a little football. Good Luck to your Lions.
Mike, thanks for the kind words. Here’s hoping yours is a wonderful day/weekend as well. And you’ll notice I didn’t mention the Lions in my gratitude list.
You, Fred, are the reason I’ll be tuning in–and rooting for–the Lions. Hope they contribute to what turns out to be a very Happy Thanksgiving!
Talk about drama, Dave. At a time of year when we need a hopeful storyline, here come the Lions, defying all odds of logic and common sense. Will this finally be their day? We will have to tune in to find out. Thanks for the well wishes, and Happy Thanksgiving (no matter how bad the game is).
SO close! ALMOST had ’em! Just WAIT til next year!
I don’t know, Dave. For some reason, Lucy always seems to pull the football at just that moment. If the Lions aren’t careful, they’re going to lose these amazing game to a more worthy NFL rival. Hope you had a wonderful feast.
It’s actually been a pretty good year with much to be thankful for. I’m amazed and so impressed at the amount and depth of work you and your team do.
Amen. Thanks for keeping it human, Fred.
Happy Thanksgiving, John, and thanks for adding well-written content to the blog.
I appreciate that you appreciate it. Billy, great getting to know you. Keep on chooglin’. And Happy Thanksgiving.
I’m thankful that you continue to share your sage advice and observations every workday in this blog, Fred. Although I try to restrict my comments to occasions when I feel I have something to contribute, I do read every day and always get something useful out of your articles.
My holiday wish to you is for many more years of success.
K.M., it’s always great to hear from you. Comments from readers like you inspire and motivate me, especially on the days when I’d rather be sleeping in. Thanks for hanging with me, and Happy Thanksgiving!
Fred, I’m thankful for your ability to merge the past with the future. You’re not the “Get off my lawn!”broadcaster who can’t seem to emerge from the past, and you’re not the Boujie innovator who wants us to feel left behind by your hip new vocabulary. Your approach is appreciated.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Ron, that means a lot. Walking that line is always an adventure. Thanks for joining me on this wild ride. And Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours.
Stuff that makes us THINK – and HOPE and even PLAN for whatever the future holds. We’re thankful for your daily thoughts, Fred. Paul. Whatever the spirit that moves you behind the keyboard is – we’re lucky to have you-and thankful!! Happy Thanksgiving.
That means a lot, Dave. Thanks for spending time here, a virtual meeting place where I truly conversing with you and the rest of this gang. Happy holidays to you and yours.
Thank you Fred, for always helping us navigate these crazy waters and giving us the guidance needed to carry on entertaining our audience and serving our clients, all with incredible insight and good humor. May you, your family and the entire Jacobs Media and jacapps team have a happy, safe and relaxing Thanksgiving.
Andre, my friend, thank you so much for the kind words. I continue to be in awe of your inspiration, your spirit, and the joy you spread, not just on Thanksgiving, but the other 364 days as well. I know Philly appreciates and what you do – and so do I.
As William deVaughan so rightfully sang, “be thankful for what you got…” and thanks too for all you ~give~ to your readers here. Wishing you a safe, healthy, Happy Thanksgiving, Fred.
Right back at you, Jim. Hope yours is a wonderful holiday with family & friends. Thanks for hanging out with me here.