jacoBLOG

Jacobs Media’s Tech Poll IV highlights are now available on our website.  While we asked our usual techie questions in this fourth annual poll about everything from text messaging to iPods to satellite radio, we also included a section about the upcoming Presidential election. While we have no trending data from past elections, we were […]

A recent article in Ad Age, "GM Roars Forward Into Digital Ad Channels," is a game-changer.  GM is the third largest advertiser in the U.S., so the news that they will split half of their $3 billion ad budget over to digital on one-to-one marketing ought to grab our attention. And they’re not talking about […]

If you visited Google last Saturday, you were greeted by an all-black home page: Talk about impact – this was Google’s way to draw attention to a conservation effort called Earth Hour.  The idea was for everyone to turn out their lights for an hour to raise awareness for environmental efficiency.  And of course, it […]

"We somehow evolved from a culture of entrepreneurship, creativity and innovation to a culture of, in a way, mediocrity and bureaucracy." No, it’s not a radio CEO, but it sure could be.  It’s Howard Schultz, the on-again-off-again CEO/creator of Starbucks.  Returning to the helm of a suddenly struggling company in a more competitive, recession-scared world, […]

Comcast isn’t just talking about the young guy media usage problem – they’re attacking it head-on.  In order to ensure their G4 Network is on-target and appealing, they have initiated a full-year research program to get at Male 18-34 tastes and habits. Taking no prisoners, the program is called "Hunting with Lightsabers," and it’s a […]

On the heels of the release of our Tech Poll IV findings comes a new study from BIGresearch that confirms what we’ve been seeing and saying all along – the political candidates ought to be using Rock radio as a primary tool.  In our Tech Poll, 84% of the entire sample indicate they plan on […]

After more than a year, the DOJ has spoken, and the dreaded XM/Sirius merger is finally off to the FCC, where it will undoubtedly be approved – in some form.  For traditional broadcasters, this has been one of those gut-wrenching issues that has inspired much debate in boardrooms across the country. But that’s been the […]

If you are ever frustrated by inaccuracies in or simply have disagreements with Wikipedia entries, or you experience the feeling of confusion when you do a traditional web search for everything from cars to travel to restaurants, you’re not alone.  A recent Newsweek article – "Revenge of the Expert" – talks about how the CGM […]

Every time I post a blog about HD Radio, I just sit back and wait for the predictable deluge of negative comments – typically from the same people.  There’s no doubt that many in our industry have become understandably disenchanted with HD Radio, seeing whatever potential and promise it once had now being jettisoned to […]

Today, it’s a guest blog from radio vet, Jay Philpott.  It’s a great example of how the consumer willingly plays a role in product marketing and promotion. I recently received a cute little video from some friends, who had used a service available through Jib-Jab to superimpose their kids’ faces on some breakdancers’ bodies. Funny […]

As oil prices skyrocket, the possibility of $4/gallon gas prices seem more than likely as we head into the summer.  But not if you’re the President. Perhaps you caught his recent press conference, when he was asked about this.  Looking surprised by the question, President Bush responded, "That’s interesting.  I hadn’t heard that."  It was […]

This is one of my favorite times of the year.  Spring training is going strong, with the promise of Opening Day just around the corner.  After a winter like the one we’ve endured here in the Midwest, March is the transition month where good things lie ahead. But it’s also the time when a number […]

Today, it’s a guest blog/article from Gordon Borrell, CEO of Borrell Associates, Inc.  Gordon delivered a great presentation at Summit 11 in Dallas, and we continue to find his observations about the Internet opportunity spot-on. My jaw dropped the other day when I read in Inside Radio a discussion of how radio operators should approach […]

We have been critical of radio station websites in past blogs for not being up-to-date.  Too often, radio simply hasn’t put enough time, effort, or resources into keeping sites fresh, current, and in-step with what’s happening on the air. But as I wrote this blog – Monday, March 17th at 7 a.m. – the state […]

Jim Cramer’s done it again.  This time around, it’s a frantic, wild-eyed rave against radio companies and radio stocks.  In a borderline hysterical rant, Cramer pillories broadcast radio as being the worst of investments. And the numbers don’t lie.  As he points out, radio’s Wall Street performance has been horrendous.  But that’s also because the […]

Now the world of consumer generated media hits the political arena in a huge way.  MoveOn has launched a contest that will pay $20,000 in video equipment – as well as untold media exposure – for the best :30 ad for Barack Obama.  And the judges aren’t a bunch of DJs – they include Matt […]

Seth Godin’s great new primer on integrating interactive with traditional media – Meatball Sundae – couldn’t have come out at a better time for radio.  Seth warns that merely piling on texting, social networking, and other Internet wizardry onto old-line businesses is a train wreck waiting to happen. That’s why it’s of interest to note […]

I recently attended a broadcast seminar where an interesting discussion broke out about the power of being local.  A respected researcher made the assertion that local radio is essentially a myth, propagated by traditionalists.  He posited that the value of local has eroded during the past decade, as the media/entertainment world has gone global.  Brands […]