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If you doubt the power of Facebook and social networking sites, consider the Oxford Dictionary's choice for word of the year: UNFRIEND As we have discussed in this space with data and anecdotes, Facebook has been the story of the year, connecting adults of all ages, as this social networking site goes mainstream. Of course […]

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When it comes to the holiday season, the music that would make most radio operators happy is the ringing of the cash register (with all due respect to Brenda Lee, Elmo & Patsy, and Bing Crosby).   And as we have suggested to these very same cluster managers, station owners, and corporate executives, having a cool, […]

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Last week, I boarded a plane only to find out that the FAA's computer system had gone down due to a computer glitch. So there we were, already boarded, just waiting for the plane to take off, and the captain comes on the PA to give us an "update." "Ladies and gentleman, as you've no […]

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Say it ain't so.   Turns out that a new research study conducted in the UK shows that consumers who steal music pay for more music.  Yup, these "pirates" spend an average of £77 a year on music – £33 more than the honest bloke who would never download music illegally.  It’s noteworthy that in Great […]

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This is a story about reinvention.  It's about taking stock of your strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats.  It's about facing up to reality, and responding with creativity and courage.  Many former radio employees are facing this tough task right now, as they face months of being out of work, with few prospects ahead.  But widening […]

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In his ongoing efforts to separate the sales wheat from the chaff, Paul Jacobs chimes in with a timely blog about why advertisers need to take stock of their goals at this tumultuous time for our business.  What is a canard?  It is a groundless, fabricated story that may look and sound like it is […]

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In his ongoing efforts to separate the sales wheat from the chaff, Paul Jacobs chimes in with a timely blog about why advertisers need to take stock of their goals at this tumultuous time for our business.  What is a canard?  It is a groundless, fabricated story that may look and sound like it is […]

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While many of you were enjoying a pretty fall weekend, about 100 of us hardy souls made the trek to Atlanta for Don Anthony's first "Talk Show Boot Camp." This is sure to become an annual event, because despite the economic woes plaguing all of radio, Talk Radio is sure to experience growth over the next […]

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Where is it going?  That's always a big topic, and the blogosphere has no shortage of experts and geniuses who will tell you they have the answer to what's ailing radio, and what we'll all be doing in five years.   It's a lot like the stock market.  There is the ongoing avalanche of analysts, many […]

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Here’s a guest post from Jacobs Media’s talent guru, Keith Cunningham, with some observations about a new celebrity phenomenon. Cincinnati Bengals’ wide receiver, Chad Ochocinco is at it again.  But this time he’s not changing his name, hilariously trash-talking with opponents, catching touchdowns, or racing thoroughbred horses – he’s on the way to becoming a […]

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Some companies understand branding, while others never will.   Apple is so smart, evidenced by its newest venture – branding a train station in Chicago.  By the time Apple is done remodeling this run-down CTA Red Line station, it will probably become a destination rather than an eyesore.   Since no one else has done this before, being […]

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Some companies understand branding, while others never will.   Apple is so smart, evidenced by its newest venture – branding a train station in Chicago.  By the time Apple is done remodeling this run-down CTA Red Line station, it will probably become a destination rather than an eyesore.   Since no one else has done this before, being […]

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A recent New York Times story about Ruby Tuesday's efforts to become a viable casual restaurant choice caught my attention on many levels.  The article focused on CEO and founder, Sandy Beall (pronounced BELL), and his efforts to figure it out in a tough economy with strong competitors for the food dollar. Ruby Tuesday has […]

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One of the lessons of the new media world is how category leaders don't own the franchise, and dominance is far from guaranteed.  In radio, we have become accustomed to seeing the same radio stations on top of the heap for years – or even decades – KGO in San Francisco, KMOX in St. Louis, and […]

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One of the lessons of the new media world is how category leaders don't own the franchise, and dominance is far from guaranteed.  In radio, we have become accustomed to seeing the same radio stations on top of the heap for years – or even decades – KGO in San Francisco, KMOX in St. Louis, and […]

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A research update for comScore's "Natural Born Clickers" study from a study first conducted two years ago reveals some alarming stats for Internet-focused advertisers.  While banner and display ads are ubiquitous on websites all over the Internet, the percentage of "clickers" is precipitously falling. In the 2007 study, about one-third (32%) of Internet users clicked […]

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Old friend and veteran rock programmer, Ron Nenni, sent me an eye-opening chart, courtesy of the Silicon Alley Insider.  As you can see below, a new Nielsen analysis of a media use study conducted by the Council for Research Excellence shows that radio out-reaches the Internet on a daily basis. The methodology of this study […]

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There is sure to be a lot of controversy about ABC-TV's new V, which debuted earlier this week.  If you haven't tuned in, it's the saga of a charismatic new leader offering the promise of hope and peace.  Of course, it's all cleverly disguised and is, in reality, an alien invasion.  Politically, the show raises […]

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There is sure to be a lot of controversy about ABC-TV's new V, which debuted earlier this week.  If you haven't tuned in, it's the saga of a charismatic new leader offering the promise of hope and peace.  Of course, it's all cleverly disguised and is, in reality, an alien invasion.  Politically, the show raises […]

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Volkswagen has always been a car company that has marched to a totally different drummer.  From its "Think Small" campaign for the Beetle, to "Fahrvergnügen" (OK, maybe not the best slogan of all time), the German automaker has taken a left-handed approach to marketing.  You have to give them credit for being consistently inconsistent.  For […]

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