jacoBLOG

In the world of traditional media, the digital sign posts are unmistakable. Most radio companies have gotten the memo, investing substantial human and financial resources in the digital space. While the digital transformation is well underway, the “analog” transformation – the people – may be lagging. Today’s blog post looks at the task of getting everyone on the same page.

Read More

Brands are becoming more responsive to core fans, especially because of their importance. Today’s post talks about that fine line between fans and fanatics – and provides perhaps the perfect 5-word solution to effectively handling unhappy listeners.

Read More

Where would radio be without its hardcore fans? More and more, the medium depends on those habitual listeners who tune in every day without fail. But these days, fans have an increasingly louder voice, thanks in large part to social media. Today’s blog post looks at the growing power of fans, and the effects it can have on even the biggest, most successful brands in ways that were unimaginable just a few years ago.

Read More

Many of the people who read this blog have been to a LOT of concerts over the years. But a new venue in London features a 3-story vertical stage unlike anything we’ve ever seen before. And when you read why it was designed this way, it will tell you how our entertainment priorities are changing.

Read More

Radio programmers are often criticized for being “old school,” focused on ratings rather than on entertaining. But today’s post questions that logic with real world examples of broadcast radio PDs who have made the transition to the digital world. And soon, Pandora – and perhaps Spotify – may find out just what great radio programmers are capable of.

Read More

On the 40th anniversary of its iconic Walkman, Sony is introducing a feature-filled, up-to-date version. But it doesn’t have a radio. Today’s post discusses changing gadgetry, how we consume audio and the devices we prefer. Some believe live radio is not “headphone-worthy,” and that’s an important topic for the radio industry.

Read More

What’s the next big thing for radio’s personality shows? It’s not a new benchmark bit or a contest. It’s about giving the audience a whole new way to enjoy radio – by watching it.

Read More

The most successful league in all of sports is hands down, the NFL. But in recent years, broadcast TV ratings for its games have slipped especially a fans gravitate to digital platforms. The NFL is now proactively addressing its commercial loads and formatting, providing some great lesson for radio broadcasters faced with the same issues. If you watched any games this past weekend, you probably saw some of these new innovations – whether you realized it or not.

Read More

Music is the universal language, but now it is the intergalactic language. Through a series of smart…and lucky…circumstances, perhaps the greatest rock band on planet Earth has been honored in the unlikeliest of places – Mars. You’ve heard of bigger than life promotions before, but this one is truly out of this world.

Read More

What are people talking about RIGHT NOW? The key to being relevant in a traditional medium like radio is art of being in the moment, the zeitgesit, keeping up with the times. Earning a degree in Pop culture is the key, and today’s post is a trip down the center lane of our minds; a tour through current trends, memes, and other tools that help us “be here now.” Let’s do this.

Read More

The premise for our “track” at the Podcast Movement conference each year – “Broadcasters Meet Podcasters” – may be hurtling toward a real-life innovation: “Podcast Sunday Nights,” now airing on hundreds of iHeartMedia radio stations. Podcasts on the radio is a novel concept that marries the best of broadcasting and podcasting. And it could be the beginning of a larger trend. That’s the focus of today’s blog post.

Read More

A radio conference you never heard about had it all – radio, records, bands, and even a mentalist. The recent Portland Pop-Up was an invitation-only event that brought together odd bedfellows in the radio and music communities. Here’s what set it apart and why we’d like to see more gatherings like this one.

Read More

Hurricane Dorian is headed for Florida – a chance for radio to do what it does best. Aside from emergency coverage, do radio stations in the affected areas have a communications strategy? Chase Bank does. Today’s second post explore how radio can assure its audience during stressful times.

Read More

It’s Labor Day Weekend, and that means it’s time to recharge those batteries and get ready for the rest of the year. Today’s post will gently easy you into the weekend by offering some smart observations by someone who wisely knows exactly what we’re all up against.

Read More

Our recently conducted AQ2 study – radio’s first talent on talent research survey – asked an important question of its 1,000+ air personality respondents: “Which current radio personalities/shows are most influential to you?” It was a write-in vote, we’ve compiled the responses, and today’s post reveals the runaway winner. We’ll take a deep dive into what makes this personality tick and why no one should be surprised he’s all by himself in first place.

Read More

The competition for the car is intensifying. Spotify has been getting more aggressive in the past year, and now a new TV and outdoor campaign go right at radio’s sweet spot. Today’s blog post gives you a look at a new spot you’ll be seeing a lot more lately, featuring a slug line will sound uncomfortably familiar to you. Fasten your seat belts.

Read More

Whether it’s podcasts, TV commercials, or radio breaks, size doesn’t matter. It’s about substance – the entertainment or information value that great content delivers. It’s not length, but strength. Today’s blog post is all about what it takes to create content – no matter the size.

Read More

Quentin Tarantino’s new film, “Once Upon A Time…In Hollywood,” is an ode to the Los Angeles of the 60s. But it’s also a love letter to radio and the role it played in people’s lives. Today, the world has changed, and we may be staring into the teeth of a Recession. And yet, some experts are predicting that an economic downturn may be exactly what radio needs to adapt to changing times.

Read More

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. This week, Gordon Borrell released an explosive new study about media advertising. Today’s blog post breaks it down, providing a fresh look at the state of radio revenue.

Read More

More and more, producers are seeking out celebrities willing and able to do podcasts. On the local stations level, radio broadcasters have a chance to deploy their homegrown, local celebrities for podcast talent. But if that’s going to happen, programmers, managers, and talent will have to overcome historical barriers. Can local radio succeed in the podcasting game? That’s the topic of today’s blog post.

Read More