Say what you will about Michael Bloomberg's plan to run for New York Mayor for another term; the guy is proactive, and knows when to take the bull by the horns. Realizing the impact on his city that all these media layoffs are having, Bloomberg is launching a multi-level plan designed to help the media industry. This will include hiring a consultant to put together a "state of…" report, along with a year-long study conducted by NYC's Economic Development Corporation. The study will include CEO roundtables and workshops designed to generate action steps.
It is interesting that the Bloomberg plan isn't a bailout, but an initiative to help traditional media companies get healthy and adapt to the changing digital universe. The Huffington Post has been identified as a positive sign that the media industry can thrive, and its location in Manhattan is a real plus. As founder Arianna Huffington notes, “What happens is a convergence: It’s not that new media is going to replace old media, but it’s really old media that really moves online.”
We hope the RAB has a seat at this table, and is an active participant in this initiative, because if NYC can get a better handle on how to help "old media" find its digital bearings, this process can impact all of radio. This Bloomberg plan should also be a clarion call to the entire radio industry to consider an initiative of its own; do the research, investigate the landscape, bring in the very best people, put together a plan, fund it properly, and stick to it.
It's how we used to develop our radio stations during the "good old days," and it is still the template for how we get our industry out of this mess.
Jacobs Media has consistently walked the walk in the digital space, providing insights and guidance through its well-read national Techsurveys.
In 2008, jacapps was launched - a mobile apps company that has designed and built more than 1,300 apps for both the Apple and Android platforms. In 2013, the DASH Conference was created - a mashup of radio and automotive, designed to foster better understanding of the "connected car" and its impact.
Along with providing the creative and intellectual direction for the company, Fred consults many of Jacobs Media's commercial and public radio clients, in addition to media brands looking to thrive in the rapidly changing tech environment.
Fred was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in 2018.
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