News used to be a content staple for mass media, from TV to radio to print. But in our polarized world, trust in news, the media, and personalities is in flux. Thanks to a new study, we’ve got some valuable perspective. For radio – commercial and public – what is the role of news in 2022? And how can we make sense of the data to make smart decisions?
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Our founder, Fred Jacobs, discusses the issues facing broadcasters today.
“Coming Up, Here’s The New One From…”
A common debate topic on social media and in music and radio groups is “What’s wrong with new music?” Once dependable sources of whatever is new and hot, as well as a lack of huge hits and developing bands has thrown a monkey wrench into the new music economy. But is the problem that there aren’t any great artists and groups in the pipeline? Or has the pipeline broken down? Our new Techsurvey offers some important clues, but so does just released record-breaking streaming metrics that suggest there’s a tectonic shift taking place in the once parallel worlds of music and radio. The old world order is crumbling, but what will the new era of new music look like?
Read MoreHow’s Your Station’s Energy Level?
Music scheduling in radio has become a fine art. The various scheduling systems provide infinite possibilities for coding, sequencing, and arranging the music as strategically as possible. And what’s the yardstick? Popularity scores, for the most part. But as smart programmers know, there’s more to music than the popularity of a song. Is it a […]
Read MoreToo Many Concerts, Too Little Time Money
One of the things most people missed most during the worst days of the pandemic was concerts. Summer will be here before we know it, and many are beginning to map out their concert strategy. The problem is – too many concerts, and not enough money. Radio can be that knight in shining local armor. Today’s blog post walks you through key research on the topic, as well as tactics you can use to make sure this is a great summer for your audience – and your station.
Read More“You’ve Got A GREAT Personality!”
The importance of personality to broadcast radio continues to be a topic at industry conferences, and more importantly as a line items during budget season. As the audio ecosystem becomes infinitely more crowded, radio brands have a major challenge standing out and remaining relevant. And that’s where talent comes into play. Today’s blog post tells you all you need to know – quantitatively and qualitatively – using data and storytelling to remind us about radio “steel sword” – the folks behind the mic, the face of our radio stations.
Read MoreIn Radio, You Just Never Know
For all the research that’s conducted every year, we never know what will become successful in the worlds of pop culture and entertainment. That’s especially the case in both the music and radio industries. Today’s post features two such stories even Paul Harvey might have been proud of, proving once again that success…and failure – are simply unpredictable. And as smart and experienced as we may be, you just never know.
Read MoreBefore Radio Goes Meta, It Betta Get Betta
The word of the year may be “metaverse,” that virtual playground that promises to deliver boxcars full of cash.. These days, the concept is making its way around the radio broadcasting industry, possibly being that “next big thing.” But before we strap on those Oculus glasses, we might want to study up a bit on all things meta. And in today’s post, I’ve done the homework for you.
Read MoreThe Path To Innovation Is Never An Easy One
Of all the great thinkers in the business world, who would you gladly include in your next creative brainstorm. If Richard Branson were available, most of would not hesitate to welcome him into our process. Among his many skills and unique traits, Sir Richard has the gift of “neurodivergence,” a way of thinking about things differently. But you might know it by another name.
Read MoreIs Radio Becoming A P1 Medium?
What do you do when you run a legacy business that has unsuccessfully tried to attract young, new upscale customers? You embrace the core. A major retailer whose name you know is in the middle of an important pivot, now catering to radio’s equivalent of daily cumers. How would this “dance with those who brung ya” strategy play in commercial radio in 2022? Let’s find out.
Read More“Megatrends Move Slowly…Until They Don’t”
Megatrends represent massive societal and industrial change. Like the inventions of the electricity, personal computing, or the advent of smartphones. Most people think megatrends move glacially. But the reality is that once they take root, they can take off. Think electric and autonomous cars – coming sooner than we think.
Read MoreTime Out Of Mind
How can we know where we’re going if we don’t understand where we’ve been? That’s a question I ask myself a lot these days, given the march of technological change, warped, disrupted, and augmented by COVID, climate change, and other external factors rocking our world. Today’s post looks at an amazing timeline that you probably forgot about. But it puts a lot of what we’re experiencing right now into perspective. Time most certainly flies.
Read MoreThe Art And Science Of Bracketology Glommology
Even in the midst of pandemic, the creative juices are flowing. Today’s guest post from Bill Jacobs is a guided tour of some of the best, funniest, weirdest, and wackiest brackets from this year’s round of March Madness. You might see your station’s best effort in this post, or certainly one that you could steal – er…appropriate – for another time. This post hits nothing but net.
Read MoreWhen Will “Netflixification” Come To Radio?
We’re living in the “subscription economy.” Whether it’s Amazon Prime, Spotify, Netflix, or SiriusXM, consumers are shelling out big bucks each month for content. Is there a play here for radio – commercial, public, and/or Christian. The answers are in today’s blog post. No subscription fee required.
Read MoreAnother Weekend, Another Rock Star Death
Last weekend was another of those tests for rock and alternative radio. Foo Fighters’ charismatic drummer, Taylor Hawkins’ death was announced Friday evening, another inconvenient rock star passing. Many stations acquitted themselves well over the weekend, but some continue to question radio’s responsibilities where voicetracking has become the norm during weekends, evenings, and increasingly more dayparts. Who bears the onus of special coverage – the voicetracker, the PD, the station, or the parent company?
Read MoreWhy Is Podcasting So Effing Hard?
What is it about podcasting? It’s just another form of audio content – like radio. But as would-be producers, entrepreneurs, and media chieftains have learned – often the hard way – success in podcasting has a high degree of difficulty. At Podcast Movement’s “Evolution” conference in L.A., the bigwigs are all on hand, along with the thousands of rank-and-filers. Can you say “culture clash?”
Read MoreCan JacoBLOG Pass “The 10 Years Challenge?”
A decade is a long time, especially when you’re taking that “10 Years Challenge” that’s had its run on Facebook and other social platforms. So, on “#ThrowbackThursday today, I’m putting JacoBLOG to the test – a trip back exactly one decade into the blogosphere. Ironically back then, I was blathering about the importance of video in radio. And nary a reference to the Buggles. Let me know if I passed the test.
Read MoreDoes Your Station Have A “Happiness Vertical?”
Taking the audience’s temperature is an art, made more difficult by the crazy times in which we live. I’ve taken out the tea leaves, read a few palms, and gotten out my crystal ball for today’s blog post. (Actually, I’ve been carefully watching what many big media brands are up to.) All roads lead to audience escape as even hard news outlets are building what they call “happiness verticals.” Develop yours and it could be a good year after all.
Read MoreThe “Thing” About Radio And Cars
The world may have slowed down during the worst days of COVID, but not the auto industry and its growing list of technology partners, most of which have been progressing at breakneck speeds. At the NAB Show next month, Jacobs Media will be taking the stage, along with an impressive array of auto and tech experts. As more and more consumers increase the amount of time they spend in their vehicles, it is paramount broadcast radio position itself in the best position possible. That’s what today’s blog post is all about. Buckle up.
Read MoreWhen Radio Comes Together
The news cycle is dominated by the Ukraine War, especially the cable news channels and news networks from NPR to Newsmax. But where does music radio fit in? Today’s blog post highlights three amazing stories about media, music, and even Milwaukee that illustrate what we can do as programmers, talent, and owners during a true crisis and a humanitarian disaster. Radio has a place in this world saga, and today’s post shows you what’s being done – and what can be done in the weeks and months ahead.
Read MoreThe JacoBLOG Junk Drawer – St. Patrick’s Day Edition
Another edition of our “junk drawer” feature with stories about failures from two corporate giants, a new podcast network from a familiar, and a comeback from an unexpected player in music.
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