The Jacobs Media Blog

The phrase, “politics makes strange bedfellows” should be amended a bit for today’s post. It’s the unlikely story of a collaboration between two giants – a massive tech company and the biggest union in America. And at the center, its the tech platform of the year – AI. And as you’d expect, there’s an important piece here about whether radio will embrace this technology…or find itself left behind.

Finger-pointing and excuse making are old, tired chapters in the CEO handbook, but as Elon Musk and Daniel Ek may be finiding out, their companies may be ready for talents they don’t have: soft skills, like humility and empathy. The corporate landscape is changing. Will radio come along for the ride?

With all the talk about digital platforms these past several years, you might think no one listens to your station on a “regular radio” anymore. And in fact, a new study suggests quarter-hour consumption on good old AM/FM radios is hanging in there nicely, well ahead of digital. As always, the devil is in the details – in this case the trendline. And today, I’m going to play a little “devil’s advocate” to show another side of the metrics, one I hope you’ll pay attention to.

One thing we have in common whether we got into radio way back in the ’70s or just last month – FM music stations are bounded by strict formats and well-defined genres. There is an acceptable list of format categories that nearly every radio broadcaster adheres to. But now, there are signs these familiar genres may be breaking down, less reflective of music types and more representative of mood and vibe. To start the new week, answer this one for me in just a word or two: What kind of music are you “into?”

The radio broadcasting industry has some of the best morning and personality show coaches around. But the competition is heating up as a new coach has entered the fray. She’s hardcore, in your face, a natural ham, and knows how to bring home the bacon. Even the most jaded radio stars can learn a thing or two from her. Here’s her list of 9 tips to ensure your show gets 2024 off to a great start.

The media world is roiling with change as traditional new outlets fall by the wayside and even new startups struggle to find an audience. Despite the avalanche of websites and sources, “news deserts” are growing in the U.S. particularly as newspapers go under. Is this an opportunity for radio – even for stations that don’t broadcast news already? Today’s blog post has the schematic – six moves broadcasts big and small can make to create new content revenue models. Yes, it’s a bit ouf of the box, but isn’t that precisely what’s needed now?

The Rolling Stones announced their “Hackney Diamonds” tour last week as the band celebrates its 60th anniversary as mega rock stars. But perhaps the surprise is the tour’s title sponsor – not exactly a brand Swifties embrace or even know about. The Stones are both brilliant marketers and unapologetic capitalists. For them, it’s about green, not gray. Indeed, it is NOT a drag getting old.

Welcome to the weekend whose middle name is “THANKS.” For this year’s holiday, it is all about gratitude – giving it to those who’ve made a differrence in your life or career path, as well as those receiving the appreciation for their generosity. I’ve got one of those exercises to help us put this holiday in perspective, as well as thoughts about why gratitude can actually make us feel more optimistic about the road ahead. Ready?

One of the more profound way these troubled times have taken their toll is that most of us have fewer friends and we see them less often than ever. So how can the audience’s need for companionship be met? According to our Techsurvey, one of the top ten reasons why people still listen to broadcast radio is to “keep them company.” Companionship is one of radio’s remaining superpowers, and it very much figures into how great stations can succeed over the long haul. Click to learn more.

Almost exactly one year ago to the day of ChatGPT’s release to the public, it has already been responsible for a key job loss – its CEO. Last week, OpenAI – the company that brought this platform to market – fired Sam Altman, raising questions about where this technology is headed. Radio broadcasters should be asking their own questions about AI, learning as much as they can to both protect and grow their companies. With our upcoming Techsurvey fielding in January, commercial radio listeners will take a crack at telling us their perceptions, hopes, and fears about this amazing technology. We will most definitely paying attention.

A new study from two very credible radio organizations – Edison Research and NPR – ought to heat up a few strategic discussions in industry boardrooms this quarter.  As CEOs and CFOs wrap up the often painful budgeting process for 2024, they might ask themselves why the industry continues to be fixated on the same […]

In yesterday’s post, I highlighted Scott Westerman, the broadcast vet who has resurrected the radio station he grew up with – Keener 13 in Detroit. Today, it’s two modern-day stories of radio’s magnetic pull among Gen Z’s of today – on a huge scale at Ford Field in downtown Detroit, and in the Upper Peninsula in a small town on the shores of Lake Superior. But the narrative is the same – expose teens to radio, and then get out of the way. The dream of young generations embracing radio is becoming a reality. Click here to check it out.

How did YOU get into radio? Surely, there’s a story, and it’s probably unique to you. As today’s radio industry struggles to entice young people to consider a career in radio broadcasting, perhaps we can learn something from our history. Past is indeed prologue. And as some of us are beginnning to find, today’s Gen Z’s may be every bit as smitten by radio as many of us were. Maybe we just need to create the on-ramps for them. Ready, set, go!