The Jacobs Media Blog

Bill Jacobs has done his share of auditorium test sorts, clock designs, and music architectural projects over the past two decades at Jacobs Media.  Today, he reflects on new consumer data that just might cause you to think a little differently about how music is tested, scheduled, and presented. – FJ Back in the day, “Turn on, […]

For the last several years, you’ve heard us talk (OK, sometimes rant) about why the broadcasting and consumer electronics industries never seem to be on the same page, and often appear to be in conflict.  Radio is consumer electronics, but that’s often been forgotten in the ongoing back-and-forth between these two mega categories. Several years […]

At the conclusion of our inaugural DASH Conference last October, we got together with our partners, Radio Ink and Valerie Shuman, to assess what was accomplished.  We knew that the event was successful – we had close to 300 leaders from broadcasting, automotive (OEMs and Tier Ones), advertising agencies, car dealerships, and other interested sectors together […]

As our media world continues to rock and roll, it is amazing to hear how some analysts evaluate the effectiveness of marketing in these new spaces. ESPN jumps headlong into Twitter, along with the rest of the sports world, because the data – statistical and anecdotal – continue to support its effectiveness. Maybe that’s why […]

The NHL playoffs continue – at least for some teams.  My Red Wings were knocked out in the first round, but the incredible art on ice continues.  Today, Jacobs Media consultant and talent coach, Mike Stern, takes a look at one of the more unique and talented hockey craftsman – behind the mic. – FJ […]

The NHL playoffs continue – at least for some teams.  My Red Wings were knocked out in the first round, but the incredible art on ice continues.  Today, Jacobs Media consultant and talent coach, Mike Stern, takes a look at one of the more unique and talented hockey craftsman – behind the mic. – FJ […]

It’s getting so my least favorite phrase pertaining to radio programming has become “baby steps.”  Oftentimes PDs use it as a way to describe progress – in coaching air talent, transitioning a station, or getting through to a tough-to-manage employee. While we’re at it, maybe we should add “tweaks” to the list, too.  That one […]

The signs are everywhere.  Social media plays an increasingly important role in the lives of radio’s listeners, but the art of creating content for these platforms often turns out to be elusive, misunderstood, oversimplified, neglected, or abused. And it’s not just radio that often struggles to find its voice with social media.  In other industries, […]

If you’re still working in radio in 2014 and you’ve been in the business for a decade or more, give yourself a round of applause.  You’ve survived, you’re still slugging it out, and you obviously believe in the efficacy of the medium and how it serves its various constituencies. But it’s never easy.  Because in […]

As our attention spans shrivel, the way in which ideas, concepts, and new initiatives are presented couldn’t be under more pressure and scrutiny.  Smart communicators work every day on their “elevator pitch,” finding ways to hone, abbreviate, and edit their presentations. But it’s not just about keeping it short – otherwise anything under five minutes […]

Paul Jacobs is on a roll.  Yesterday’s post about the sweeping change addressed some impressive radio initiatives in the face of the disruption that is impacting the media business.  In today’s follow-up, Paul continues his discourse about the “climate change” that is occurring down the hall in the radio sales sector of most stations and […]

As the media business undergoes tumultuous change, it is often too convenient to conclude that radio is lagging behind.  We do our best on this blog to highlight occasions when the industry drops the ball or is slow to adapt.  But change is in the air – if you look for it.  Often it is […]

As we navigate through these disruptively fascinating times, there’s always that question about what’s driving the change – the hardware or the software. Apple has always had its finger precisely on that pulse, and a new breakthrough ad for iPhone (yes, amazing how they continue to market their biggest successes) ends the debate. It’s about […]

In conversations about media mix strategies in the world of advertising, there are more opinions floating around than there are so-called experts giving them. Should marketing dollars shift totally to digital?  Can you achieve reach, frequency, and engagement goals by just going with mobile, social, and the web?  Or is there still a need for […]

In yesterday’s post, we talked about the importance of visuals in social media. So today, we’re going to focus on their value on the radio.  One of the best stories about video innovation in radio isn’t happening in New York, L.A., or Dallas.  It’s been a part of the Oasis cluster in Fort Wayne for […]

The evidence continues to mount that in order to be effective in the social space, learning the art of visuals – photos and videos – has become table stakes. Last week, a client who has been advertising on Facebook told us that an ad they dreamed up was kicked back because it was too wordy.  […]

I don’t want to suggest that we’re freakishly early adopters here at Jacobs Media and jacAPPS.  But for the past several years, that’s the way it’s worked out.  Since launching jacAPPS in 2008, the newest smartphones and tablets have made their way to our offices, often on the first day they’re available to the public. […]

Over the past several weeks, I’ve attended my share of industry conferences.  And if you ask me the most uttered eye-roll inducing phrase at many of these media and radio-related events, it sadly has to be “Content is king.” I’ve no doubt said it myself while delivering Techsurvey10 results, too. The reason that it’s become a cliché, […]

Last week, a big music story involving radio focused on SiriusXM programmer John Marks and how his “Highway” channel has become a music influencer. That Wall Street Journal article was highly quoted in the radio trades as Marks garnered support from a number of Country artists that he first played on satellite radio.  From there, […]

Once again, Mike Stern’s TV viewing time contributes some  solid morning show philosophizing for JacoBLOG readers.  Mike’s not talking about Game of Thrones or Mad Men.  Nope, it’s about zombies and DJs.  Read on. – FJ The creators of AMC’s popular zombie franchise The Walking Dead were once asked if the survivors of the apocalypse would […]