Printed from: https://jacobsmedia.com/blog/ on 02/06/2025

The Jacobs Media Blog

Our founder, Fred Jacobs, offers insights into the latest trends in broadcasting and digital media.

How Radio Can Get Over The Digital Sales Speed Bump

by Paul Jacobs · June 9, 2016

Yesterday, our blog discussed what it will take for radio companies to become social businesses. Today, the emphasis is on digital sales, and guest blogger Paul Jacobs addresses the speed bump that radio faces in its quest to truly diversify its revenue generation growth.

Is Your Company a Social Business?

by Fred Jacobs · June 8, 2016

The radio business is not alone when it comes to disruption. In fact, a new survey of corporate executives reveals more disruption in “media” than in any other category. The way forward is to become a social business, but the road is littered with speed bumps and obstacles. A leading expert believes it all starts from the corner office. Read more here about radio’s best chance to turn the corner.

Will Siri & Alexa Kill “All Things Considered?”

by Fred Jacobs · June 7, 2016

A recent article in Slate suggests that voice recognition software and content customization will lead to the death of venerable news magazines like NPR’s “All Things Considered.” But when consumers can choose what they want to hear and want they want to skip, will that lead to FOMO – a fear of missing out? That’s today’s JacoBLOG topic, and we’d love to hear your comments.

Your 10-Step Mobile App Checklist

by Fred Jacobs · June 6, 2016

New data from Statistica show that mobile users have an average of only 27 apps on their smartphones. Today, jacapps’ COO, Bob Kernen, gives us a 10-step mobile app checklist, perspective about what it takes to become one of those apps – and stay there. Here’s a great chance to put your mobile app strategy to the test.

Rock n’ Roll Never Forgets

by Fred Jacobs · June 3, 2016

Here’s a great sitting-at-the-bar-having-a-beer question: Which rock star will historians of the future remember? Or perhaps better put, who IS the face of rock n’ roll? We link a great article from author and pop culturist Chuck Klosterman, and would love to hear your call.

The Three Questions Every CEO Should Be Asking

by Fred Jacobs · June 2, 2016

Ford CEO Mark Fields believes his company is at an “inflection point,” and he’s asking his teams to think about three key questions as they plan and build their company’s future. In fact, they’re great questions for any corporate leader to pose to her management team. How would you answer them?

How Apple Is Spending Its Research Dollars

by Fred Jacobs · June 1, 2016

You can learn a great deal about what a company’s thinking by studying its R&D expenditures. In the case of Apple, their direction is obvious: automotive. In the past two years, they’ve devoted billions of research dollars to automotive, outflanking their spending in the Watch, the iPad, and the iPhone. Here’s what it could mean to radio as the industry fights for its position in the dashboard.

How Are Your Ratings?

by Fred Jacobs · May 31, 2016

Before the holiday weekend, Lori Lewis & Perry Michael Simon offered their words of encouragement to downtrodden PDs. And while cleaning out basement files, I ran across a letter that fellow ABC Radio PD, Alan Burns, sent to me more than 30 years ago. Every PD needs words of encouragement, so here’s my best advice and a little sympathy for programmers everywhere.

Memorial Day Weekend – 2016

by Fred Jacobs · May 27, 2016

It’s Memorial Day 2016 and we encourage you to remember those members of the armed services that made the ultimate sacrifice, as well as their families. A few thoughts before we head out for the 3-day weekend here:

What The New York Times Can Teach Radio About…Radio

by Fred Jacobs · May 26, 2016

The newspaper industry has faced a world of disruption, but perhaps the most famous paper of them all – The New York Times – can teach radio a thing or two about…radio. A new staff memo from Executive Editor Dean Baquet lays out a bold future for The Times. And if we read between the lines, it’s an action plan for radio, too.

Dashboard Confessional: “I just want it to work.”

by Fred Jacobs · May 25, 2016

How far will a car new owner go to get his malfunctioning “connected car” system fixed? Barry Zehar took his Jeep Wrangler back to the dealership twelve times because of a “frozen” dashboard. How important is AM/FM radio to drivers in America – or Canada or the UK? That’s the focus of today’s blog post.

To Win In Radio, Make A Difference

by Fred Jacobs · May 24, 2016

Marketer Al Ries has a new take on what it takes to stand out in a crowded market. It’s about not letting the research lead you down a path where you create a product that’s just another version of what’s always been there. It’s about being different, and if you look at many of radio’s successes over the years, that’s exactly what they’ve been about.

Pandora For Sale?

by Fred Jacobs · May 23, 2016

Rumors about the sale of Pandora abound. A look at music streaming companies reveals a landscape of scant profits, despite large scale. Analyst David Pakman provides a scorecard of companies like Pandora, Grooveshark, and Rdio – and the results aren’t pretty. Today, we look at the viability of music streaming companies, and what Spotify is doing with the help of a former radio consultant to create its “second act.”

Sean Pollock: 5 Things About Millennials Every Radio Broadcaster (and Sales Team) Should Know

May 20, 2016

There have been a host of new titles that have popped up inside radio stations these past few years. But Entercom/Seattle’s Sean Pollock has one of the most unique jobs in radio. He’s the Millennial Marketing Specialist for 107.7 The End. Read why KNDD has doubled down on Millennials, and what it takes to grow and cultivate this elusive audience. Sean is in the spotlight this week in our “Guest List” feature.

Can A Lack Of Transparency Bring Down A Brand?

by Fred Jacobs · May 19, 2016

Most marketers study great brands to emulate success and to help create best practices. But analyzing troubled brands and how they got that way can also be instructive. Oftentimes, a lack of transparency is at the core. And we’re not just talking companies – we’re talking about two very well-known personalities. Here’s our take:

Vote for Radio

by Fred Jacobs · May 18, 2016

Back in 2013, political consultants at a Nielsen Client Conference declared that radio was all but dead as an effective campaign medium. Now all of a sudden, radio advertising for political races is back in style. In fact, it’s projected to increase.

Is the Name ‘Podcasting’ Hurting the Medium’s Growth?

by Seth Resler · May 17, 2016

In the podcasting world, there are two types of people: Those who hate the word ‘podcasts,’ and those who don’t. We invited them to debate the use of the term.

Facebook’s Morning Zoo

by Fred Jacobs · May 16, 2016

Facebook plans to launch a new morning show which will give radio stations even more competition. Here are five ways your morning show can adapt.

Alan Mason: 5 Things About Christian Radio That Would Surprise Commercial Broadcasters

May 13, 2016

Most veteran broadcasters know precious little about Christian radio. What are the dynamics that separate commercial radio from Christian radio? EMF owns hundreds of radio stations that are part of the K-LOVE and Air1 radio networks. Their COO is long-time broadcaster, Alan Mason, who made the jump. In today’s “Guest List,” he explains all.

Stay Tuned For Traffic & Weather…On My Smartphone

by Fred Jacobs · May 12, 2016

Are radio traffic reports endangered by apps like Google Maps and WAZE. We’ve got new data from Techsurvey12 that takes a deeper dive into the sources consumers use to glean on-the-road information. Overall, radio looks healthy – but a look at generational data reveals challenges on the horizon. We talk radio traffic and some solutions in today’s post.

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