The Jacobs Media Strategies Blog

There’s a new tool in the radio marketing tool kit. And the best news is that it lives in the car dashboard. New metadata tactics and strategies are allowing stations to better brand themselves, while generating more TSL and listening occasions. We’ve got some great example graphics, audio, and some best practices. If you’re not “programming” your dashboard metadata now, you will be soon.

Jimmy Buffet fans, known as Parrotheads, are more than just an audience; they’re a community. What can radio learn from this phenomenon? Can radio stations and personality shows create communities, rather just growing cume and time-spent listening? In today’s post on “community,” Jacobs Media’s Seth Resler puts on a clinic that every radio programmer, manager, and owner can benefit from.

The PRPD Content Conference begins today in Philly, one of the few broadcast industry events left that is geared to programmers. And this year, they’ve got a lot on their plates. The big deal is a new aggregation of more than two dozen research studies, producing a series of major recommendations. Some are no surprise, but others are steeped in controversy. And I’ll be unveiling our new Public Radio Techsurvey that hopefully adds some clarity to the conversation. What happens in public radio during the next 12 months promises to have impact on the entire industry. We’re starting the new week off with a bang.

Yesterday’s post tackled the gnarly topic of how radio organizations can tackle their digital transformations without getting mired in content and financial quicksand. How can radio broadcasters protect their core assets – the “mothership” – while successfully venturing out into the digital wilderness? So, I promised solutions, and they’re here in today’s post. Warning: they won’t blow you away with their innovativeness or flash. And they aren’t likely to snag you a Marconi. But they just might help you carve out a digital pathway you can forge not just in 2023, but become a sustainable plan that can accomplish your goals for years to come. I know you’ll let me know if it delivers.

Radio broadcasters love to talk about new trends. That’s a big part of the reason AI has become a well-discussed topic this year. But a major trend flying under the format radar is the rise of Christian radio in market after market. While many radio operators are struggling to grow audience and generate revenue, this traditional radio format is trailblazing success in both areas. Today’s blog post takes a look under the hood to uncover the how’s and why’s of Christian radio’s most recent successes.

For new program directors in radio these days, great training is at a premium. Most companies no longer have the time or resources to provide much in the way of guidance of up-and-coming PDs. And now many of the conferences that once featured programming sessions and panels are no longer convening? Today’s post is centered on 10 DO’s and DON’Ts every young programmer should be aware of (and maybe a few veteran PDs, too). It’s a compilation of my years of learning – both the easy and hard way to succeed at this craft we call radio programming. Dig in.

Over the holiday weekend, radio’s beleaguered sellers got a hot new competitor. Spotify is now throwing their algorithm into the ring, going hot and heavy after local retail business. To give today’s post much-needed credibility, we turn to sales maven extraordinaire, Paul Jacobs, for inspiration…and solutions.

Heading into the holiday weekend, thinking about a career in radio as a “labor” of love.

Is there anything better than a great tease campaign? Right now, the Rolling Stones are running a master class for their new song. Check out what they’re up to.

Labor Day Weekend is always a key turning point every year. And 2023 is no different. This coming Tuesday after the holiday might reveal whether orders to return to the office – will be heeded by millions of employees who have become accustomed to Zoom meetings, working in their pajamas, and walking the dog in between calls. What impact will RTO after Labor Day have on radio throughout the country, especially in bigger markets where the inflow back to stations has gone slowly?