Welcome to “Best of JacoBLOG” for 2021. Today’s journey goes back tot last February, and a post about Harley-Davidson, that venerable Baby Boomer brand, that’s fallen on hard times in recent years. Sales were down-trending long before COVID, and a new CEO has taken over the helm in an effort to turn things around. Today’s “Best of” blog post lists a 6-pack of challenges Harley is facing – and they’ll have a similar ring to what we’re experiencing in radio. Have a beer, get your motor runnin’, and check it out.
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Our founder, Fred Jacobs, discusses the issues facing broadcasters today.
It Happened On The Radio
Chances are, you heard about those deadly tornadoes that blew through Kentucky. But you may not have heard about a radio station in Princeton, Kentucky, that continues to proudly serve its ravaged and broken community. It’s a great radio story. And it’s our responsibility to tell it.
Read MoreFWIW: Millennials Are More Apt To Take A Stand Than Baby Boomers
Back in the late Sixties, rock n’ roll music was steeped in protest. And much of it spilled over to FM rock radio. Back then, Baby Boomers were the activists. Today – a half century later – it is Millennials who are more apt than their parents to take a stand for or against a product, company, or a brand. Today’s #TBT post looks at this generational shift, it highlights one of the greatest on-air protests in radio history, and it speaks to the social justice movement that would follow the next year.
Read MoreWill 2022 Be “The Year Of The Churn?”
The end of the year is a time for reassessment, whether we’re talking about our health – physically, mentally, and financially. When it comes to the latter, a new study shows that mounting subscription fees for on-demand content will face a day of reckoning when those January credit card statements show up. Yes, advantage radio, IF….
Read MoreIn Radio Today, M.A.P.s Are The New Megatrend*
We’ve become used to megatrends in the worlds of media and technology: data, Artificial Intelligence, audio. All have become part of our daily conversation. But another emergent wave in broadcasting is M.A.P.s – mergers, acquisitions, and partnerships. Hardly a day goes by anymore when we’re not reading about one. So, what do they mean to a traditional industry like radio, and what can we expect to happen next?
Read MoreWhy Stalled Out Smart Speaker Sales Will Hurt Radio Broadcasters
A new research study released late last week reveals that smart speaker ownership has plateaued. For the radio broadcasting business, this may be an ominous sign. During COVID, in particular, listening to radio on these devices showed marked increases. Today’s blog post talks about the smart speaker space, and actions radio broadcasters can take to ensure their ongoing presence in homes and workplaces.
Read MoreSpotify – King Of All Audio?
Spotify is hell-bent on becoming the dominant audio platform in the most competitive of environments. Apple, YouTube, iHeart, and Audacy are all vying for the same turf. Spotify continues to innovate in the space, but there’s one area they cannot crack. And it belongs to broadcast radio.
Read MoreWhat The New York Times Can Teach Radio About…Radio
The newspaper industry has faced a world of disruption, but perhaps the most famous paper of them all – The New York Times – can teach radio a thing or two about…radio. A new staff memo from Executive Editor Dean Baquet lays out a bold future for The Times. And if we read between the lines, it’s an action plan for radio, too.
Read MoreBaby, You Won’t Drive Your Car
Let’s take a short trip in the Wayback Machine – back to December 2017. Paul and I were about to leave Detroit for our annual sojourn to Las Vegas and the sensory overload of CES 2018. We were just beginning to tour radio executives around the exhibit floor, Eureka Park, and other highlights of that […]
Read MoreThe Demographics, They Are A Changin’
When it comes to radio ratings and the revenue that hopefully follows, it has always been a question of demographics. In the collective mind of agencies, those age, gender, and ethnic dictates have always been well-known to broadcasters seeking to maximize their success. But as disruption reigns in our ever-changing world, evidence of demographic shifts – some tectonic – are bubbling under. Today’s post looks at a trio of demographic stories all pointing in the same direction: older.
Read MoreWhat The Beatles’ “Get Back” Teaches Us About Creativity, Collaboration, And Chemistry
You’ve no doubt heard about or seen the Beatles’ 7+ hour documentary, “Get Back,” streaming on Disney+. It is more than just the story of rock’s most successful band. It is an object lesson in creativity, collaboration, and chemistry. Today’s blog post helps to make the connections that apply to personality shows, teams, and ensembles, often struggling to find ways to work together while making great radio.
Read MoreWe’re Going Back To The Future
Technology marches on…or does it? In today’s post, a look at three media/platforms written off for dead that are now on the comeback trail. But just like a great radio show, there’s a fourth “kicker story” that just might take radio in to the future. What kind of future? We’ll have to see…or hear.
Read MoreWhen Do We Lose Interest In Discovering New Music?
If you want to get into an “extended conversation” with someone who works in music radio, just bring up the new music discovery debate. Why are so many stations cutting back on new music? Is it the quality of the music, the idea that people are discovering music online, radio’s conservatism, the nature of PPM, a combination of all those things, or something else entirely. To help uncover the future of new music discovery, today’s Throwback Thursday post takes a trip to the not-so-distant past.
Read MoreTo Everyone Who Says “Local” Is Overrated…
It’s that time of year when charitable giving is at its highest and broadcast radio always steps up for great causes. But given the time, effort, and resources – human and financial – is your station optimizing its good deed-doing? In today’s post, we look at one of local radio’s superpowers, and how it can be best applied to make a difference in the local community.
Read MoreWhy I Wish McKinsey Would Analyze Broadcast Radio
If you’re a legacy automaker, you’re facing a tough road ahead. New players, electrification, and autonomous are all new factors in the mix. But the biggest change is that newcomers like Tesla are focused on the CX, the consumer experience. Now, McKinsey & Company have written a great analysis for the auto industry, helping them navigate the change that is all around it. It would be amazing if they worked up a similar report for radio.
Read MoreWhat Advice Would You Give To Your Young Radio Self?
Everyone has experienced a different career journey. For many, the road has had its share of bumps and side trips. For a few, it’s been a relatively easy ride. But we all could have benefitted from the perspective we have now. Imagine being able to give your young self some advice from your perch today. Here’s what I would tell my early radio Fred.
Read MoreA Season Of Many Thank-You’s
As we head into another very different Thanksgiving Weekend, it is a time for gratitude. I know I have plenty. Join me for a look back – and a look forward.
Read MoreWhy Countdowns Work
Its coming up on that time of year – when we kick back and lean into countdowns. Those end-of-the-year lists intrigue us. And now Netflix is getting into the act. Today’s post looks at the godfather of countdowns, Casey Kasem, who explains why they work. Who’s #1?
Read MoreThe Biggest Day Of The Year?
Black Friday has become the ultimate test for local retailers. Are they providing a great customer experience? Do they have a robust ecommerce platform in place? Are they meeting their customers where they are? New research shows consumers tend to trust hometown businesses, but there’s a catch. Today’s post looks at what retailers are going through, and the obvious analogies to local radio.
Read MoreSurprise! You’re Listening To The Radio
These days, most radio stations are in a battle to get attention. In an overcluttered world of media, it’s increasingly harder to break through. That’s why there’s the “Two Guys Sitting A Bar Test” – where one turns to the other to talk about something truly amazing on the local radio airwaves. Two of those moments occurred this past week. And to pass my own test, did you hear about them?
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