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.

We Have Everything – So Now What?

by Fred Jacobs · April 14, 2016

As 2016 rolls on, it is becoming clearer that consumers own the gadgets and devices they need, they’ve signed up for their favorite social media sites, and they’ve downloaded cool apps. Now it’s time for content creators and media outlets to step up and focus on creating great user experiences – or the UX. Here’s are some thoughts about how to make that happen.

How the Sharing Economy Could Disrupt Radio Voiceover Talent

by Seth Resler · April 13, 2016

New “sharing economy” companies like Uber and AirBnB are dramatically disrupting established businesses. Could these crowdsourcing startups also disrupt radio? Maybe they already have…

Has Pandora Overplayed Its Hand?

by Fred Jacobs · April 12, 2016

Last week, Pandora liberally quoted a new Edison Research study, making a case that AM/FM usage is being heavily eroded by streaming radio, and that drivers incessantly punch buttons when AM/FM radio plays commercials. We have new data from our Techsurvey12 that tells a different story. Here’s a first look:

If It’s Thursday, We Must Be Streaming The Beatles

by Fred Jacobs · April 11, 2016

Since the Beatles catalog was released for streaming 100 days ago, the metrics are amazing. They show the power of the Fab Four 50+ years since the British Invasion took place. And they show the impact of Classic Rock on radio audiences around the globe. Check out this cool infographic from Spotify.

Buzz Knight: 5 Qualities We Look for When We Hire Radio Talent

April 8, 2016

It’s been a paradoxical time for radio. Many DJs and personalities are on the beach. Yet, making a great personality hire is always a challenge. In this week’s edition of “The Guest List,” Greater Media’s Buzz Knight shares his thoughts about the 5 key ingredients to look for when hiring talent.

Podcasts A Go-Go

by Fred Jacobs · April 7, 2016

For traditional media, podcasting holds the promise of expanding content, growing revenue, and increasing audience. The New York Times smells opportunity with podcasting, recently launching a new division. In today’s post, we talk about why radio companies are perfectly positioned to do the same thing.

Radio: $0 Down, $0 A Month

by Fred Jacobs · April 6, 2016

Last week, SoundCloud jumped into the monthly subscription business, joining Pandora, Spotify, Tidal, Apple, and many others. Within this media mélange, broadcast radio has distinct, marketable, differentiating advantages. It’s time to tell that story.

Where’s Radio?

by Fred Jacobs · April 5, 2016

A new Business Insider reader survey asks about the technology consumers want in their cars. There’s just one problem – they left out radio. Today’s post is focused on radio’s top-of-mind awareness problem in the auto business.

Radio’s Victory Lap

by Fred Jacobs · April 4, 2016

When mega-celebrities and major brands reach the point where they run out of demographic bullets, marketers find ways to celebrate them in what’s known as the “victory lap.” Except in radio, where more often than not, the end of a heritage DJ’s career or the death of a format come to an abrupt end. Thoughts on Kobe Bryant, “The Most Interesting Man In The World,” and KGO Radio.

Rob Naughton: 5 Pet Peeves of Production Directors

April 1, 2016

Production directors are often the Rodney Dangerfields in most radio stations. In today’s “Guest List,” veteran production ace, Rob Naughton, offers up five production director pet peeves. These are easy ways to make your production team happy, guaranteeing effective commercial production and great imaging.

Señoras y Señores, Los Rolling Stones!

by Fred Jacobs · March 31, 2016

Last week was historic for U.S./Cuban relations. And music played an out-sized role in the celebration in Havana. When you want to make history, who do you call? Who else but the Rolling Stones.

Meet The New Boss, Same As The Old Boss

by Fred Jacobs · March 30, 2016

In a move reminiscent of Apple bringing Steve Jobs to its top job in the late ’90s, Pandora has made its founder, Tim Westergren, its new CEO. What does a product guy know about running a public company?

Increasing Radio’s Value (With A Little Help From America’s Pastime)

by Fred Jacobs · March 29, 2016

Excuse all the sports analogies, but radio can learn a lot from baseball about leveraging brands, improving the fan experience, non-traditional revenue, and franchise value. Play ball!

Radio’s Bogeyman

by Fred Jacobs · March 28, 2016

Tribune’s chief, David Liguori, is in a fight to keep his company alive. Rather than looking for a “bogeyman,” he says legacy media brands would be better served by “sticking to their knitting.” In radio, that “bogeyman” has been Pandora. Why it’s important that radio stays focused on its core strengths.