The Jacobs Media Blog

This week marks the 20th anniversary of JacoBLOG, my passion play project. In today’s post, I look back but also ahead to where we and it may be headed. As a wise philosopher once said, “What a long, strange trip it’s been!” And that’s thanks in no small part to you, those who take the time to read it and even occasionally comment on it. I appreciate you, and I hope today’s post conveys that.

What did YOU do last week? Did you earn your salary? Did you accomplish anything of value while on the job? If these questions rankle or even offend you, imagine how those federal workers were feeling when they were asked to bullet-point the five things they got done last week. And what if a similar exercise was instituted by a broadcast radio company to test its employees? Well, I did it for you in today’s timely blog post. Just click “READ MORE.”

Over the past few weeks, DOGE – which stands for the Department of Government Efficiency – has become a lightning rod for change through systematic downsizing. But for broadcast radio in the States, a DOGE-like philosophy has been in play for years. What can our government learn from radio about the strategy and execution of RIFs, and conversely, is there any wisdom broadcasters can glean from the chaos and fear rolling across the country?

If we’ve learned anything from just 30 days of Trump 2.0, big, bold moves are what get noticed. Today’s post looks at well-known brands that have stepped up the energy and are proactively taking risks. They might not all pay off, but they’re sure getting noticed. From Delta Airlines to Guitar Center, more and more companies and brands seem willing to throw the dice and THINK BIG!

One of the Super Bowl ads that had its work cut out for it was the ChatGPT commercial. It was designed to demystify AI and make this new technology the logical next phase in the time-honored history of technological progress. Whether you saw it or not, today’s post discusses the challenge of making new tech feel comfortable for consumers rather than making them fearful and angst-ridden. Was it effective and could it be the foundation for AI acceptability OR like so many other Super Bowl ads, was it too obtuse and conceptual? You be the judge.

Thanks to our data-driven world, there’s no shortage of numbers in our lives. And so far in 2025, numbers have told important stories about current tendencies and coming trends. I’ve picked out a handful of the most fascinating numbers I’ve seen in recent weeks, and what they may portend for later in the year. Today’s blog post features stories about “connected cars,” celebrity deaths, selfish Baby Boomers, Walmart, Amazon, and the “New York Times” – plenty to talk about on a frigid Winter week. So, dig in!

Super Bowl LIX has come and gone. Except for Eagles and Chiefs fans, the rest of us have moved on. But marketers are still debating those $8 million ads that generated more than $800 million in revenue. What does it take to produce a winning ad that all those viewers will pay attention to, understand, and perhaps even act on? And what can radio marketers learn from the wins and losses?

“Less talk” has become something of a go-to positioner for a lot of radio stations over the decades, amplified during the “PPM Era.” Yet, broadcast radio might be better served by having MORE conversations with an audience that seems to be saying less and spending more time apart from friends, family, and co-workers. Sure, technology should shoulder some of the blame but the real culprits are alienation and isolation especially among younger consumers. How can radio break through this wall while building better connections at the same time? Here are my ideas.

When it comes to social media, radio broadcasters have many tools in their utility belts. But one of the most overlooked is LinkedIn, a site that many are on but few can master. Today’s blog post talks about how LinkedIn can work for any station that puts strategy behind it.

Are you a “gamer” or are you someone who wonders what all the fuss is about? In either case, the video gaming industry is larger than the film and music businesses – combined. And now, there’s an indication games can have therapeutic benefits that match meditation. In fact, “cozy games” can help people deal with their angst and stress levels. And that got me wondering whether radio stations couldn’t rethink their “deliverables” to help their audiences cope with the pressures of the day. 2025 is already shaping up to be a challenging year, and this might be a way to “meet the audience where they are mentally.”

It’s been said that “perfect is the enemy of good.” But sometimes, there’s nothing wrong with seeking true perfection in our work, especially when it comes to the art of producing and editing video and audio. Late last month, we were treated to a great example of this when the trailer for “SNL’s” 50th anniversary music special was being promoted. Whether you’ve seen the video or not, today’s blog post gives you the story behind this amazing piece of production…that is, perfection.

The gap between statistically driven research (quantitative) and focus groups (qualitative) has long been a point of debate among analysts who specialize in audience behavior and perceptions. And now, along comes AI and the promise it can inexpensively replace the traditional process with “synthetic respondents,” creating the research version of “digital twins.” But AI has a higher value and more reliable purpose when utilized strategically and sensibly.

In yesterday’s post, we talked about how Netflix’s “TUDUM” initiative is helping to differentiate themselves from their many video streaming competitors. Radio can use some of these same techniques. And today’s post provides prescribed action steps successful stations can employ to create their own “TUDUM Tactics.”

The world of media and entertainment continues to get more crowded and competitive, forcing brands not to just excel this quarter but differentiate themselves with smart and savvy strategies and tactics. While radio broadcasters may be feeling the heat from digital distribution, the need for emphasizing the industry’s unique differences has never been greater. Even independently owned radio stations can learn a thing or two from major media behemoths, including Netflix, a brand leader that continues to innovate and blaze new trails. In a word, TUDUM!

At the end of a momentous week, we look back at Monday’s epic news in the AI sector, the release of a new AI innovation from a Chinese company. DeepSeek took the tech world by storm, triggering a one-day crash of market leader Nvidia. And it raised questions about how easily this sector could be disrupted. Just like radio. We turned to our AI maven, Chris Brunt, for clarity and perspective. Today’s guest blog post provides some “AIsplainin'” but it raises questions about where media and technology are going – and how we can future-proof our assets. Buckle up!