When you think about some of the most successful entities in entertainment history, there’s almost always been a face of the brand – a personality out in front who connects with fans. In today’s post, Jacobs Media’s Mike Stern channels one of the all-time best companies in the industry – Disney – to make the point that when they have a new princess to add to their lineup, success usually follows. So, who’s your radio brand’s princess?
Read MoreWith A Name Like Smucker’s…
Even companies on the brink of bankruptcy may be just an idea away from salvation. Innovation takes many forms and can come from unpredictable sources. Today’s blog post is a case in point. It tells the story of an unlikely pivot from a 100 year-old company that fortunately was open to embracing “the next big thing.” Would your company have the foresight and intelligence to seize a similar moment?
Read MoreKondo And Romo: The Pros And Cons Of Regression
When you’ve been an entertainer for a long time, peaks and valleys are inevitable. Sometimes, talent actually regresses, something to always take note of. In today’s blog post, we look at two celebrities who have become famous for their popular performances. Even the stars evolve – sometimes for the better, but at other times for the worse. And radio talent can always learn from their best – and worst – practices.
Read MoreThe Art of Kondo-ing: Tidying Up Your Radio Station
Marie Kondo has made a name for herself as an author and as the star of a Netflix series. Her lessons contain valuable advice for radio stations….and for many of us personally. It’s about finding the joy in the things we own and do.
Read MoreRadio’s Got Talent
There have been changes galore over the decades in radio: new technologies, exponentially more competitors, and a changed media landscape. But one thing that hasn’t changed a bit is the value of talent. If anything, it’s reached an even higher peak in recent years, so much so that pretty much every industry is obsessed with growing stars. Mike Stern sits in for me today with a great guest post.
Read MoreForget Radio – Let’s Play Tennis
via GIPHY Guest blog post by Mike Stern The art of coaching. Radio is like any skill – the more you do it, the more adept at it you get. But with the help of a great coach who can guide you, regular players can move into the upper echelons. In today’s guest blog post, […]
Read MoreLife Lessons Radio Programmers Can Learn From Roadies
There is much wisdom to be gained from every member of the organization – from the CEO to station interns. In the world of concerts, it’s the road crew – the roadies – who witness it all, soaking up those amazing experiences. In today’s guest post, Jacobs Media consultant, Mike Stern, gives us some great life lessons from roadies that can help your program director become a better manager. So, roll those cases, lift those amps, and click below to read Mike’s backstage observations.
Read MoreIn Our Post-COVID World, Radio Needs To Keep It Conversational
After 14 months of lockdowns, WFH, and Zoom calls, not all of us are ready to have face-to-face conversations again – even those of you behind the mic. Our Mike Stern takes over the keyboard to offer up great tips about how to have meaningful conversations – on and off the air – in a post-COVID world.
Read MoreDoes Your Radio Station Ever Feel Like The Inside Of A Comic Book?
If your radio station ever feels like the inside of a comic book, you’ll appreciate today’s blog post. Mike Stern takes over the keyboard to highlight an ex-college radio DJ who turned her stories about radio at the legendary Ithaca College into a graphic novel. It’s another reminder of how one’s passion for radio never is extinguished. In fact, it sometimes takes on a life of its own.
Read MoreMando In The Morning!
Life imitates art. Or is it art imitates life? In today’s guest post, Jacobs Media consultant, Mike Stern, unsheathes his light saber to remind us of the connections between “Star Wars” characters and your own cast of characters occupying the air studio. It’s sort of like terrestrial radio meets extra-terrestrial pop culture. It’s sure to be a hit.
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Radio’s Most Innovative: The Elvis TV Casting Project
Innovation is still happening in radio – this time in the Big Apple. One of radio’s morning stars has created a TV casting call project that makes the most of UGC – user-generated content. As they say, you never know where the next big star will come from – maybe even from a radio show.
Read MoreThe Art of Kondo-ing…Tidying Up Your Radio Station
Marie Kondo has made a name for herself as an authour and as the star of a Netflix series. Her lessons contain valuable advice for radio stations.
Read More7 Lessons Stephen Colbert Learned From Hosting “The Late Show”
Sometimes, the best radio lessons come from somewhere else. In today’s guest host from Jacobs Media consultant, Mike Stern, it’s 7 important lessons “Late Night” host Stephen Colbert had to learn about his craft when he took over for David Letterman. Take it right down to the air studio.
Read MoreThe Next Big Thing At Lollapalooza: Activation
Lollapalooza 2018 is now history, but the thousands of attendees this year may have been witness to the next big thing: Activation. No, not a band, but exciting, innovative initiatives by Lolla’s sponnsors to engage with fans in unique and memorable ways. Mike Stern pens today’s blog post that focuses more on the changing nature of event sponsorships, and how they impact both radio programming and sales.
Read MoreAdding A Little “Onion” To Radio’s Content Recipe
When is “fake news” a good thing? When it comes from one of the world’s most consistently funny satire machine – The Onion. In today’s guest post by Jacobs Media’s Mike Stern, he offers 5 great trips for making radio bits, parodies, and benchmarks compelling, sticky, and memorable. Talent is always looking for an edge, and these suggestions from long-time Onion editor Scott Dikkers are spot-on.
Read MoreAn Alternative Hypothesis
In yesterday’s post, we presented a bevy of experts discussing why Alternative is experiencing a surge in new station sign-ons. Today’s guest blogger – our consultant, Mike Stern – lays out a 10-step plan to ensure Alternative remains successful and sustainable.
Read MoreWhy Chicago TV Weatherman Tom Skilling Shined During The Eclipse
Every media outlet – especially TV weather personalities – tried to make their mark for their coverage of the solar eclipse. But WGN-TV’s Tom Skilling stood apart because of his emotional reaction to this event. In this guest post, Mike Stern – a fellow Chicagoan – gives 6 reasons why Skilling shined during the eclipse and what media personalities can learn from this amazing moment in time.
Read MoreLollapalooza 2017: In Perry We Trust
This year’s Lollapalooza festival looked, felt, and sounded different than in past years. Jacobs Media’s Mike Stern spent four music-filled (and at times, rain-soaked) days at the iconic Chicago event, and came away with the sense that Rock music may be on the verge of making a comeback.
Read MoreIs Your Station Guilty Of “Attention Theft?”
One of the worst mistakes a media brand can make is to commit “attention theft” – taking up the audience’s time for nothing in return. Guest blogger Mike Stern talks about how radio stations often fall into these traps.
Read More5 Radio Comedy Lessons From Steve Martin
Jacobs Media’s Mike Stern pens a great guest post about a new online comedy course taught by legend Steve Martin. When Mike dug into Martin’s lesson plan, he discovered 5 great tips for radio DJs and personality shows.
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