By any measure, 40 years is a LOOONG time. So the fact Jacobs Media is celebrating this milestone isn’t lost on me. And rather than bask in the goop of nostalgia, today’s post lists a dozen learnings and lessons I’ve culled from my time in the field, running a company I love. Hopefully, there’s a thing or two in here that help you or turn on a light. In any case, I hope you find it entertaining. If you read this blog, you’re a part of it. So, thank you.
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Our founder, Fred Jacobs, discusses the issues facing broadcasters today.
Know When To Walk Away
As iconic politicians and musicians age, it become less about their declining skills and more about whether they’re prescient enough to know when to walk away. Today’s blog post takes on the gnarly (and close to home?) topic of age, including a great quote from Toby Keith that may stay with you long after you read this post. Welcome to the new week.
Read MoreHow To Nail Down That Radio Job
If you’re a programmer trying to fill a slot, you know how hard it is to find that one breakthrough candidate. And if you’re talent trying to nail down a job, you’re looking for a way to stand out from the pack. Today, JacoBLOG’s focus is on a guy who thrives on being different – on the air and in his own self-marketing. And a plus – the attributes that help a personality be different also apply to station brands, too.
Read MoreWhat Is The R.O.I. Of Radio Talent?
Our #TBT post goes back to the dark days of COVID when radio operators had some difficult decisions to make. In the crosshairs was the role of radio’s air talent. On the one hand, testimonials and live reads from personalities are experiencing a Renaissance. On the other, those folks who make their living behind a mic have experienced some tough times since the pandemic. Is radio in the U.S. at cross-purposes with itself – or is this all part of the plan?
Read MoreCan Your Brand Pass The Spell Test?
As our world becomes overrun by millions and millions of brand names, simplicity and clarity matter. How you spell and pronounce and brand name – especially an new one – matters in a world of search engines, bots, and app stores. I’ve got examples, including a couple that are close to home.
Read MoreWant to Jumpstart Radio? Turn On Your TV
A new article in the New York Times talks about a new strategy being embraced by the network television industry. Rather than fighting aging demographics, corporate executives are embracing the most loyal and reliable viewers they have – aging Baby Boomers. And doesn’t that make you wonder why radio strategists aren’t thinking along these same lines?
Read MorePut Me In, Coach
It’s just the beginning of the football season in both the pro and college ranks, but there is already much drama, excitement and surprises. But not from the usual places. It’s happening in Boulder and Detroit. Interestingly, two of the most talked-about figures aren’t players. They’re head coaches and they’re making waves, leading their teams, beating back their critics, and doing the impossible. It’s called leadership – a tough-to-find-commodity that can turn a losing organization around. But could it turn radio around?
Read MoreDashboard Tactitional
There’s a new tool in the radio marketing tool kit. And the best news is that it lives in the car dashboard. New metadata tactics and strategies are allowing stations to better brand themselves, while generating more TSL and listening occasions. We’ve got some great example graphics, audio, and some best practices. If you’re not “programming” your dashboard metadata now, you will be soon.
Read MoreWill Robots Replace Radio Jobs?
Will AI robots take DJ jobs? How many times have you heard that question asked in the past few months? (Maybe you’ve asked it yourself.) But the big difference is that today is #ThrowbackThursday, and today’s post was written in September 2018. I think you’ll find the perspective from four years ago revealing and even thought-provoking, even before there was such a thing as ChatGPT.
Read MoreWhat It Means To “Digitize The Audience”
In recent years, many radio companies have gone “all in” when it comes to their digital transformation. They’re hiring staff, sellers, and content creators, and working hard every day to move their numbers. But a strategic look at the digital marketplace reveals many operators aren’t attacking this mission as efficiently and effectively as they could. Today’s blog post focuses on the idea of “digitizing the audience,” a basic approach to tracking the audience rather than having to start fresh every day, building page views, downloads, and impressions. Save those receipts.
Read MoreIn Search Of…Next Adjacent Audiences, Youth, And Diversity
The PRPD Content Conference begins today in Philly, one of the few broadcast industry events left that is geared to programmers. And this year, they’ve got a lot on their plates. The big deal is a new aggregation of more than two dozen research studies, producing a series of major recommendations. Some are no surprise, but others are steeped in controversy. And I’ll be unveiling our new Public Radio Techsurvey that hopefully adds some clarity to the conversation. What happens in public radio during the next 12 months promises to have impact on the entire industry. We’re starting the new week off with a bang.
Read MoreIt’s The Same Old Song
There are “ear worms,” those songs that get in your head that are hard to rid yourself of. And sometimes, they’re spurred by popular music used in advertising campaigns, movie soundtracks, and for TV shows. It’s an art to select just the right songs for the content. There have also been some epic fails – inappropriate (or just plain stupid) uses of music in commercials and other high-profile places. That’s where our blog is headed on a Friday, so get those creative juices flowing.
Read MoreWhere The Streets Have Cool Names
Every radio station wants to do bigger than life promotions – the ones that people remember for years. That’s the focus of today’s #TBT blog post – capturing the vibe of the community with events and moments that will stand the test of time. I think this one passes the test. It has just about everything and everybody: Public radio, Alice Cooper, Glenn Frey, Bob Seger, Detroit, Lee Abrams, and the FCC. And it all makes sense.
Read MoreFish Where The Digital Fish Are
Yesterday’s post tackled the gnarly topic of how radio organizations can tackle their digital transformations without getting mired in content and financial quicksand. How can radio broadcasters protect their core assets – the “mothership” – while successfully venturing out into the digital wilderness? So, I promised solutions, and they’re here in today’s post. Warning: they won’t blow you away with their innovativeness or flash. And they aren’t likely to snag you a Marconi. But they just might help you carve out a digital pathway you can forge not just in 2023, but become a sustainable plan that can accomplish your goals for years to come. I know you’ll let me know if it delivers.
Read MoreHow Radio Can Successfully Dive For Digital Dollars
These days, just about every broadcaster is in hot pursuit of the elusive digital pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. But as most have learned in recent years, creating and marketing competitive digital content is no easy lift. In today’s blog post, we pose the four questions radio operators ought to ask when analyzing their digital endeavors. Success is attainable, but not by cutting corners, taking shortcuts, or failing to check off these four boxes. Let’s work through it together.
Read MoreOnward Christian Radio!
Radio broadcasters love to talk about new trends. That’s a big part of the reason AI has become a well-discussed topic this year. But a major trend flying under the format radar is the rise of Christian radio in market after market. While many radio operators are struggling to grow audience and generate revenue, this traditional radio format is trailblazing success in both areas. Today’s blog post takes a look under the hood to uncover the how’s and why’s of Christian radio’s most recent successes.
Read More10 Do’s and Don’t’s As A First-Time Program Director
For new program directors in radio these days, great training is at a premium. Most companies no longer have the time or resources to provide much in the way of guidance of up-and-coming PDs. And now many of the conferences that once featured programming sessions and panels are no longer convening? Today’s post is centered on 10 DO’s and DON’Ts every young programmer should be aware of (and maybe a few veteran PDs, too). It’s a compilation of my years of learning – both the easy and hard way to succeed at this craft we call radio programming. Dig in.
Read MoreThe Currency of Dead Rock Stars
Another Labor Day weekend and the sad passing of three more music stars, repeated reminders of the mortality of all those great rockers we’ve lost – as well as those who will inevitably leave us. Jimmy Buffett, Smash Mouth’s Steve Harwell, and the “Dream Weaver,” Gary Wright. Their music lives on, long after they leave Planet Earth. In today’s timely #TBT post, we look back at how we celebrate music – with or without the presence of those who wrote and/or performed it. They may not live forever, but their music most certainly will.
Read MoreWhat’s On TV? Radio, Of Course
Great content on the radio is always going to be essential. But as the media world becomes increasingly crowded, distribution is a key factor in radio’s long-term sustainability. On the home front, radios are increasingly disappearing, and while smart speakers have had an impact, too many refuse to buy one. Enter the smart TV and new research that shows consumers are using them in novel new ways, It turns out the most popular non-TV feature is listening to audio, and that spells O-P-P-O-R-T-U-N-I-T-Y. .
Read MoreThere’s Nothing “Laborious” About Writing This Blog
Heading into the holiday weekend, thinking about a career in radio as a “labor” of love.
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