The #1 challenge facing American broadcasters in 2023 is ___________________________________. It depends on who you talk to, of course. A year ago, the Michigan Association of Broadcasters commissioned a research study to answer that question. The answer may not surprise you, but perhaps the MAB’s reaction to the findings will. Today’s blog post is different from the usual for good reasons. The problems facing broadcasters are big ones, demanding big answers. Here’s a start.
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Our founder, Fred Jacobs, discusses the issues facing broadcasters today.
Women On The Radio
At last week’s Morning Show Boot Camp in Dallas, hundreds of passionate radio personalities descended into broiling Dallas, Texas to learn, to connect, and to celebrate their love for the craft of radio. While it’s been a tough year for radio’s corner office denizens, inhabitants of the air studio continue to enthusiastically show their stuff. One of the clear trends at Boot Camp the past few years has been the rise in prominence of women. And this year was no different. Radio is changing, and this group of pumped up women at MSBC are leading the charge.
Read MoreThe Beatles vs. Taylor Swift: Say WHAT?!
Our post that ran earlier this week that asked you to make the call about who’s bigger – the Beatles or Taylor Swift – blew up. It set an 18-year record, and it generated lots of comments, many of which are entertaining. Today’s post is a compilation of your comments. And while you aren’t as polarized as what we see every day in the political world, you are very opinionated on this issue. Feel free to add a comment of your own.
Read MoreI Wonder
Sixto Rodriguez, a true rock n’ roll legend, passed away yesterday at the age of 81. You’ve never heard of him? You’re not alone. This is a story of an obscure artist most of the world simply missed. Decades later, we learned his music was actually “discovered” across the globe. The Rodriguez story is punctuated with incredibly bad but ultimately good luck. And it’s a reminder to all of us in radio about the ones who got away.
Read MoreThe Next Beatles?
The Beatles broke up in 1970. If you were someone “of age” back then – and I most certainly was – the news came as a cultural explosion, the end of an era. There had been rumors of disharmony, boredom, deceit, and delusion for some time, especially around John and Yoko who were clearly marching […]
Read MoreMeet The New Chief Audio Officer
You don’t hear as much talk these days about the power and of audio. But that doesn’t mean it’s lost its punch. Maybe podcasters still haven’t figured out how to tap into its potential. A new white paper suggest companies should think about a new title. I’m thinking radio companies ought to think beyond titles and rebrands. It’s time to lean into quality, compelling audio.
Read MoreWhy Radio Talent Can Benefit From A Side Hustle
The things you learn at Morning Show Boot Camp! Remember when having to take a second job meant that you simply weren’t bringing in enough dough from your first job? Sometimes necessity is, as they say, the mother of invention. With apologies to the Zappa family, at least it will put a few bucks in […]
Read MoreThe Ups And Downs Of Public Radio
Like every traditional media platform, public radio finds itself in an interesting moment in time. Signs are pointing in different directions, often opposing ones. Reading these vital signs is today’s task at hand. We’ve got some pretty compelling evidence, and some very smart people weighing in. As we wrap up another busy week, here’s a look at the ups and downs of public radio.
Read MoreThe Trouble With Radio Sales
Media marketing has gotten exponentially more complicated in recent years, leaving advertisers in a quandary about the best way to go. That puts pressure on radio sellers to create the best solutions from their growing arsenal of digital assets. When this #TBT post was first published, Gordon Borrell released an explosive new study about media advertising. This post breaks it down, providing a fresh look at the state of radio revenue.
Read MoreFinding Your Brand’s Little Red Circle E’s
The competitive media environment is chock-filled with products and platforoms competing for your audience’s time and attention. A look at how well-respected audio brand Bose has re-charted its course reveals a playbook that radio stations can apply to their own marketing challenges. It’s not about what your station does – it’s about how you make your listeners feel. Heard that one before? Here’s what it looks like in 2023.
Read MoreWhen Talent Is Misunderstood
Life sure can be strange, especially when it comes to the inevitable end of the road. In less than a week, we’ve lost two unique, mercurial, and immensely talented performers in Paul Reubens (a.k.a Pee-wee Herman) and Sinead O’Connor. They were also misunderstood, and as a result, their career arcs were greatly shortened. Great talent, by definition, is often hard to handle, capable of doing inappropriate things. Isn’t that true, radio peeps?
Read MoreThe Airstaff Weighs In On AI
The theme of 2023, so far, is artificial intelligence. Specifically, of the generative variety. While there’s always been a fear of technology and the health of the populace – remember, there were large factions of people convinced AM radio in cars was a distraction would lead to accident after accident – the fear of AI […]
Read MoreElon Musk And X: On The Other Hand…
Earlier this week, I used this space to take Elon Musk to task for screwing up my favorite social media platform, now known as X (nee Twitter). And while many of your agreed with me, I heard from some rational voices urging me to consider a different perspective. Perhaps the most eloquent came from one of radio’s true pros. Someone for whom I have immense respect. And so I’ve handed him the JacoBLOG keyboard today. Here’s the “on the other hand” to my post about Musk and X. And I’d love to read your comments.
Read MoreCan Your Morning Show Put Butts In Seats?
In today’s encore presentation of JacoBLOG, it’s a short trip back to pre-pandemic July 2019. It was a time when hit podcasters were taking their shows on the road, filling theaters and making lots of money and new FANS through live performance. Thanks to COVID, most of that activity was shelved. But now well past masks and social distancing, the concert and movie theater industries are thriving. Time for podcasters to get back on the road? How about broadcasters?
Read MoreA Change Will Do You Good
Change is in the air – you can just feel it. And our blog this morning explores the “changemaker mindset.” Rather than review clocks, songs that are a little burned out, or our KPIs for Q3, it’s a deep – and hopefully, entertaining – thrill ride into why change is radio’s secret sauce. So, let’s get a little philosophical and talk it out.
Read MoreWhy Is Elon Musk Putting Lipstick On A Pig?
The richest person in the world hopes you don’t notice what he’s up to. After grossly overpaying for Twitter back in October, and driving its value unthinkably low in the months that followed, he’s betting you won’t figure out how he’s scrambling to repackage his troubled social media platform. Twitter had its faults and drawbacks […]
Read MoreBarbenheimer: A Litmus Test For Your Personality Show
“Barbenheimer,” a marketing event to celebrate the release of two hits movies, quickly became a pop culture phenomenon. And it provided an interesting test for personality radio: how to stand out on the radio dial, as well as how to compete against the exponential promotions and marketing efforts put together my myriad media outlets and organizations.
Read MoreAre You In A Long-Term Relationship…With A Radio Station?
In radio as in life, an important goal is to build and establish long-term relationships. In the case of radio, it’s an order that has grown taller over the years as human and financial resources are now at a premium. New research sheds light on brand-building and relationships, key ingredients as the year wears on.
Read MoreThe Genius Of Tim Westergren
Back in 2017, a radio nemesis left the big stage. Pandora’s Tim Westergren was relieved of both his CEO duties and his board position with the company, later sold to SiriusXM where it has floundered. During his time with Pandora, Westergren demonized radio broadcasters, and had a huge impact on the streaming business. Today’s #TBT is a look back at his innovation and vision. Imagine what Westergren might have accomplished had he joined a radio broadcasting company back then.
Read MoreDon’t Laugh – The Most Nostalgic Consumers May Be Gen Z’s
For most radio broadcasters, Gen Z has been an enigma – a vast audience growing in influence that has little to do with radio. Of course, that’s by design. Most stations don’t research teens, target them, or market them to advertisers. Yet, evidence points to the notion there’s a strong nostalgic pull from Gen Z consumers when it comes to fashion, music, and even electronics. Could radio make the cut? Let’s discuss.
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