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We’ve spent considerable time in this space encouraging, cajoling, and nearly begging radio broadcasting’s CEOs to rethink their historic avoidance of teens.  Our call for a Teen Task Force encouraged many of you to positively respond, whether in the blog or more privately to us here at Jacobs Media.  (OK, Jeff Schmidt posted a snarky […]

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Ben McConnell was probably smiling when he read that DirecTV is now paying subscribers $100 for each referral – no limit – and a chance to visit Super Bowl XLI.  Ben introduced his "Customer Evangelism" philosophy several years ago at the Jacobs Media Summit, and we’ve done our best to spread the message.  The DirecTV […]

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Today we’ve got a guest entry from Jacobs Media’s Dave Beasing: The Fall 2006 Congressional campaigns come to a head tomorrow.  If Claire McCaskill defeats Republican incumbent Senator Jim Talent in Missouri – or even comes close – history will record YouTube’s impact.  Just before the weekend of October 21 & 22, McCaskill launched a […]

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Today we’ve got another guest entry from Jacobs Media’s Keith Cunningham: The Internet, wireless technologies, and file-sharing have changed everything.  Never before has news and entertainment moved at such a rapid pace.  Consider John Kerry’s latest gaffe.  Botched joke or not, it was only minutes after he planted his foot (leg?) in his mouth that […]

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When media visionary, and agent provocateur, Jason Calacanis told us at Summit 11 that "your audience is your farm team," he nailed it.  More and more, media outlets are discovering great talent among the masses. Witness KYYS’ current campaign to replace morning star, Larry Moffitt, with someone from outside radio circles.  Their "Kansas City Radio […]

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Actually, it’s the Detroit Blues, because after a fabulous year and a great post-season, my Tigers succumbed to the St. Louis Cardinals.  You’ll note the less-than-happy facial expression as I sport a Cardinals 2006 World Series cap, thanks to an ill-conceived bet with a jubilant Rick Balis. Interestingly, the Fox TV network is now feeling […]

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Today I’m glad to welcome back Jacobs Media’s Keith Cunningham for a guest entry: Has Rock Radio Lost Its Nerve? Did you hear about the station that did a Mark Foley weekend?  They gave away lotion, boxer shorts, and tickets to see Panic! At the Disco whenever an inappropriate text message was heard on the […]

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Today we’ve got a guest entry from KSAN/San Francisco Program Director Larry Sharp: I found where all of the hip, eager, young people that years ago would have been into radio are. The Oracle convention right next door at the Moscone Center here in San Francisco. As I walked through the crowd, I saw the […]

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One of the most talked-about technological developments on the Internet these days is the new service offered by lala.com which allows regular folks to become Jim Ladd, playing whatever they want on the radio.  OK, not exactly. But lala has created a system where web users can morph into DJs, creating their own playlists, and […]

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OK, I’m dating myself, but the title of this blog entry is ripped off directly from one of the funnier radio troupes this side of the original "Saturday Night Live" lineup – Firesign Theatre.  Talk about painting pictures with words – that’s what these guys (led by Phil Proctor and Peter Bergman) were all about.  […]

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OK, I’m dating myself, but the title of this blog entry is ripped off directly from one of the funnier radio troupes this side of the original "Saturday Night Live" lineup – Firesign Theatre.  Talk about painting pictures with words – that’s what these guys (led by Phil Proctor and Peter Bergman) were all about.  […]

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It’s great to see a new radio format emerge in 2006.  As Classic Rock turns the ripe old age of 21 (so now, it’s legal), there have been few bona fide radio formats that have developed over the past two decades. Some feel that Jack may indeed be a format, but it certainly hasn’t taken […]

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So, I’m driving home the other day, listening to "All Things Considered," and hoping to NOT hear a story about Mark Foley, school shootings, or North Korea nukes.  And I was rewarded. "ATC" did a great story about Sean Lennon’s new album, "Friendly Fire."  Now I have no idea whether the album is any good […]

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As Gordon Borrell put it so well at Summit 11, Internet advertising has incredible momentum, and is moving up the world chart very quickly. ZenithOptimedia just revised its global ad tracking study, and reports the Internet is now an overall fifth, and is closing in on radio’s fourth place ranking. As ZenithOptimedia reports, a great […]

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Did you see the recent news about WOXY-FM?  They’re the Alternative station outlet that is no longer terrestrial – in fact, they’ve been an Internet-only station since 2004.  The big news is that CD-swapping site, lala.com, is now supporting them with an infusion of $5-10 million.  They also say they’re moving toward converting some of […]

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At a time when the nation couldn’t be more divided, a desperate General Motors has announced that right-wing talk show host, Sean Hannity, is the new face of a "patriotic" car promotion – "You’re a Great American."  Sitting here in the Motor City, watching the automotive industry struggle, you have to wonder what the marketing […]

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OK, I’ll say it – after spending several days at the NAB/R&R, I still have this sour feeling that just won’t go away.  Back in 2000, I was part of the committee to program NAB panels.  As part of the exercise, you get to create and moderate a panel of your own.  My choice was […]

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OK, I’ll say it – after spending several days at the NAB/R&R, I still have this sour feeling that just won’t go away.  Back in 2000, I was part of the committee to program NAB panels.  As part of the exercise, you get to create and moderate a panel of your own.  My choice was […]

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Check out this video, produced internally by KISW to "backsell" their "Rock Out Hunger" event.  So often, stations do something really big, really wonderful, and/or really charitable – and that’s where it ends.  Maybe there’s a promo that runs for a few days.  Or maybe there’s a picture on the website. But this 80-second video […]

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