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Much of the focus the last couple weeks has been on Apple’s launch of its new streaming music service. While not an across-the-board perception, Apple has come under a great deal of criticism from many different camps. Some predict their new entry will have little impact on Pandora, Spotify, and others because it offers nothing […]

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It is fascinating that some of the weapons that radio management historically wielded are becoming obsolete. As we’ve discussed in this blog before, the ability to “disappear” a DJ or show has been usurped by fans who immediately start their protest Facebook pages. While this rarely results in a change of heart by management, it […]

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A story that made the rounds in public radio circles last week has now broken out into the mainstream media. It all started when NPR’s wildly successful, Peabody Award winning weekly news quiz show – Wait Wait…Don’t Tell Me! – had the audacity to book Kim Kardashian. Apparently, the main force behind Keeping Up With The […]

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One of the wonderful benefits consultants derives from this often crazy line of work is the ability to see and hear a lot of radio stations in action. As a result, you witness some truly wonderful best practices, but if there’s such a thing, “worst practices,” too. At times on this blog, we have lamented […]

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Today’s post is about one of our favorite topics – mobile apps.  These little jewels have become the lifeblood of the Internet – the ways in which we better utilize the resources – utilities, entertainment, information – on our mobile devices.  And as we saw clearly at CES earlier this year, the Internet of Things […]

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Just when you thought public radio and podcasting were on a serious roll, KPFT/Houston programmer Ernesto Aguillar has thrown cold water over both. In fact, his recent blog post reads more like the ice bucket challenge. I encourage you to read it here. While public radio may be leading the league in podcast downloads and is […]

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We have talked a lot in recent months about the need for speed.  As we continue to be inundated with content from seemingly infinite sources, our ability to process all that entertainment and information erodes.  And because many of us are constantly running – devices in hand (or on our wrists) – we have even less […]

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There’s a lot of online and water cooler chatter about how the new Stephen Colbert version of The Late Show will fare. But Mike Stern is still pining over the end of David Letterman’s amazing run. The final show was a winner, as was that very last “Top 10 List.” Here’s a guest post that’s […]

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A new service that measures social media impact by media brands is an eye-opener. And it suggests that a smart social strategy trumps most other variables – including the generational appeal of a station’s audience. Net News Check reported on a new study by Shareablee, ranking the top 10 media brands in the Detroit Metro, […]

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Millions of people around the globe were dialed into yesterday’s anxiously awaited series of announcements from that little computer company.  But perhaps no one was more anticipatory than Bob Kernen, jācapps’ COO. Much of the activity surrounding our mobile apps company is predicated on what Apple is thinking, scheming, dreaming, and doing.  So ironically, Apple’s big […]

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Last month, Chicago Tribune workplace columnist, Rex Huppke, wrote a cautionary tale about brands that rely on “digital natives” to handle important web and social duties. As he noted, “Talent isn’t age-based, regardless of the field.  People born before the advent of all things digital can be just as adept as anyone at programming or […]

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During the past four years, Jacobs Media has taken a lead role in helping make sense of the “connected car” for radio. From our Techsurveys to our mobile app development company, jācapps, to our DASH Conferences, we’re hacking our way through this space. Hopefully, you’re along for the ride. During this time, we’ve taken part […]

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When you think of Andrew Lloyd Webber, some of the biggest, most successful, longest-running Broadway shows come to mind – Cats, Phantom of the Opera, Evita – to name just a few. So when Lloyd Webber puts his chips down on a new production, everyone pays attention. The New York Times reports his next foray […]

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I’ve been a road warrior these past several weeks, providing me with the opportunity to carefully explore the seat pockets in front of me.  Beyond the used wrappers and barf bags, Delta’s SKY magazine is actually one of the better reads, and in their May issue, the cover story highlighted Macy’s CEO, Terry Lundgren. Lundgren […]

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By the time you’re done reading this post, you may be wondering, “What  is it with you and knives?” So let’s get to today’s headline.  As you may have already seen in radio’s trade publications today, Jacobs Media and jācapps are embarking on an exciting new direction. We’re bringing Seth Resler on board, an industry professional […]

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I know what you’re thinking – what could the venerable CBS TV anchor have to do with the arts and crafts of new music discovery? Yesterday was Bob Schieffer’s last day on TV as he wrapped up his final telecast of Face the Nation. That put the wrap  on a broadcast journalism career that spanned nearly […]

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