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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 post talks about this generational shift, and highlights one of the greatest on-air protests in radio history.

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You could have been reading a good book or spending quality time with your family. Instead, you watched the Super Bowl. Outside of the 617, the game packed very little entertainment value. But the commercials – usually entertaining to even non-sports fans – were once again underwhelming. Is it that agencies can no longer create buzzworthy ads or does it involve another culprit – social media?

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The media landscape continues to expand, muddying the competitive waters. For most radio stations, it’s always been easy to define and identify the competition. But thanks to digital media, radio’s top nemesis has become more difficult to nail down. When it comes to developing and strategies so radio can survive – and thrive – knowing who’s eating your lunch has never been more important. Bon appétit.

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More and more these days, brands are striving to find a human voice to connect with fans in the social media space. Personal interaction – whether it’s with Alexa or on Facebook or Twitter – is what every brand aspires to. For radio, it’s the “sweet spot” – thanks to the medium’s personalities, jocks, and hosts. But what can radio learn from brands about engagement in a media world where the more immersed in technology we become, the more real we need to be?

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Radio has always been an aural medium, but video, and platforms like YouTube and Facebook Live are changing the game. Not suprisingly, more stations and clusters are partnering with savvy advertisers and local venues to build showcase studios – a win-win for both stations and clients. Perhaps the most beautiful, tricked-out remote studio you’ve ever seen is now on the air, operational, and broadcasting live in Metro Detroit. Check it out.

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The TV, newspaper, and motion picture industries have been greatly rocked by digital disrupiton. But now an extensive new media analysis conducted by one of the world’s most respected professional services firms puts radio ahead of other traditional players, and in position to thrive in this rapidly changing ecosphere. To see what they’re saying about radio, check out today’s blog post.

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As more and more broadcasters dive into the podccasting pool, questions about monetization loom. And it turns out that when you look at the lists of the biggest advertisers in both platforms, there is no overlap.

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Demographers, sociologists, and marketers spend ample time debating the mertis – and demerits – of Millennials and Baby Boomers, the two biggest generational groups. But lost in that conversation is Gen Xers, an influential group of societal movers and shakers, not to mention valuable consumers. And we even quote the wit and wisdom of “The Breakfast Club” in today’s post.

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The radio industry is undergoing sweeping change, and so are the job skills companies are looking for in prospective employees. As many former radio pros find themselves at a career crossroads, here are some key signs that signal the need for a new mindset.

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While podcasting is growing in popularity, consumers have been slow to “get the memo.” Part of the reason for podcasting’s slow accpetance may be due to technical reasons. Now, Apple is on the technology march with a new iPad Pro that makes it even easier for anyone to become Ira Glass or Adam Carolla. OK, maybe not.

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One of the bright stars in the sales of music has been the comeback of vinyl – continuing its amazing rise from the ashes. And now records and the machines that play them are having a cultural impact, too. And they’re showing up in some of the most unlikely of places.

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As content and distribution rules shift in the new media ecosphere, brands – whether they’re radio, TV, streaming, personalities, and recording artists – need to rethink their business models. That’s certainly been the case in the music business. Bands and their management teams have had to go back to Square One to reassess how to […]

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When it comes to out-of-the-box innovation and shaking the corporate tree, which giant American corporation may be ahead of the others with its focus on the consumer? It’s a company that’s 181 years-old and rethinking everything.

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Rather than “the hotteset gadget,” CES is becoming more about tech trends. And if you connected the dots, they were on display last week at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Jacobs Media took three tours of radio broadcasters through the nooks, crannies, and exhibits at CES. Today’s post breaks down the top 5 trends that will impact radio – now and in the coming years.

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Reporting from CES 2019 in Las Vegas, we’re already traversed gadgets, devices, and futuristic technology. But despite acres of hi-rech exhibits, there is one thing that’s often in short supply at CES.

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Broadcast radio takes a rising share of knocks on the viability and popularity of the medium. But late last year, two iconic and highly credible sources gave broadcast radio an enthusiastic “thumbs up.” You may be surprised where the kudos came from – or maybe not.

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We’re off to CES in Las Vegas. For a preview, the Consumer Technology Association’s CEO, Gary Shapiro, gave me and Buzz Knight a look of coming attractions for the planet’s biggest technology show. We’ll be heading up three tours at CES of radio broadcast execs, and we’re excited to see the future Here’s Gary’s “take” on innovation, partnerships, the radio business, and his crown jewel, CES.

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