The Jacobs Media Blog

Radio is beginning to figure it out.  A recent Inside Radio article highlighted what several enlightened broadcasters are doing on the digital front.  From Emmis to Greater Media to Cox, there are strong indicators that radio is getting with the program, defining its digital and mobile efforts, while putting together advertising and marketing packages that are […]

In 2014, exactly what is “the Information Superhighway?” According to a new Newswire release, Nielsen tells us that it’s (drum roll…..) THE CAR. A nearly 6,000 person sample of consumers who are into connected life technology is the basis for Nielsen’s conclusion that “the modern car offers some form of connectivity for everyone.” Their study notes that 60% of […]

The news of Kevin Metheny’s passing last weekend gave us all a chance to review the trajectory of his illustrious career. As I looked over Kevin’s impressive call letter trail, it occurred to me that this guy received a lot of ratings books, Arbitrends, and Nielsen weeklies in his long history in radio. And dealing with the […]

The NextRadio initiative has both supporters and detractors.  But there’s no question that whether it turns out to be radio’s salvation, a bust, or simply a convenient way for some smartphone users to access their favorite local stations, it is a bold step for radio to take. One of the interesting aspects of NextRadio is […]

I know what I don’t know.  And when it comes to industry investment, a good gauge is none other than “The Oracle of Omaha” Warren Buffett.  While news of radio swaps and purchases is all over our industry trades, on the bigger stage, Buffett made news last week. His company, Berkshire Hathaway, passed on all the radio […]

Yesterday, we talked about the need for celebrities from all fields – movies, sports, TV, and of course, radio – to develop that coat of armor. Because at any point in time, regular folks can take off on you – on any number of social channels or web portals. Or in the case of Robert […]

There has been a fundamental change in the traditional relationship between celebrities and the fans who adore them. Of course, the star culture is still very much alive today.  And athletes, movie stars, and yes, even radio personalities often make gobs of money and live a great life full of riches and material things. But there’s a price […]

There’s always a lot of talk in radio circles about the challenge posed by Millennials.   But of course, their little brothers and sisters are members of Generation Z.   And if you have teens in your house or your inner circle, you know how fluid their music tastes and tech focus can be. That’s why when […]

GroupM is the world’s largest media investment management group, a part of WPP. So it’s no surprise they have their own innovation group – GroupMNext. GroupMNext is tasked with developing solutions, understanding the changing media environment, and determining how emerging platforms will fit in. When you think about it, that’s precisely what we grapple with in […]

Last week, AT&T’s SVP of emerging devices, Chris Penrose, singled out what he called “the ultimate mobile device.” Was he talking about the iPhone 6 Plus, the latest and great Samsung Galaxy phone, or a new smartwatch? Nope, Penrose says the big deal in mobility is, in fact, the “connected car.” And estimates that there […]

Last week, AT&T’s SVP of emerging devices, Chris Penrose, singled out what he called “the ultimate mobile device.” Was he talking about the iPhone 6 Plus, the latest and great Samsung Galaxy phone, or a new smartwatch? Nope, Penrose says the big deal in mobility is, in fact, the “connected car.” And estimates that there […]

When the topic of great television series comes up during casual moments in meetings or at client meals, it feels like déjà vu. While the conversations vary a bit, the hot shows don’t.  Whether it’s Homeland, House of Cards, Game of Thrones, or any of the others, the basic them is the same: people are […]

In much the same way that Facebook is not resting on its laurels, Pandora is experimenting with its user experience.  Like the Tin Man in The Wizard of Oz, Pandora is clearly in search of something that goes well beyond its famous “Human Genome” formula – a heart. On the heels of yesterday’s much-talked about […]

Historically, radio stations have done a great job of attacking other radio stations. Whether Top 40, Rock, Country, or Talk, most radio stations focus their competitive energies on besting another station in town in order to gain both a ratings and revenue advantage. In the meantime, radio has been faced with digital competition for nearly […]

Last week’s post – “What’s In A Name?” – about Clear Channel’s rebranding to iHeart Media touched a few emotional nerves in various ways. There were a number of comments – both on this blog and in my email, along with a few personal contacts – about the trend to brand former radio products and companies as “media.”  The […]