The Jacobs Media Blog

By now, radio executives have become used to fielding uncomfortable questions about the state of radio and where it’s headed. They generally have an answer for anything. But ask them about their company’s Gen Z strategy and you’re likely to get crickets. That’s because there is no plan or strategy to connect with America’s next big generation. Not to worry. Today’s blog lays out a case for giving this gnarly issue some strong consideration at the next radio convention. When is that again?

In the crowed media environment, getting attention for a brand has never been more challenging. It’s even tougher when you’re a legacy brand struggling to slug it out against the tech companies. But a simple philosophy known in Latin as “carpe diem” – that is, “seize the day” – makes anything possible, even for a local radio station. Sometimes, it’s a matter of meeting the moment when the most famous celebrity in the world is involved with her now-famous boyfriend.

Lots of attention has been paid to podcasting over the past decade, including ambitious plans requiring additional staff and investment. And yet, there are continued signs of a “podcasting bubble,” amidst layoffs and cutbacks. Maybe part of the reason podcasting is sputtering is because most producers are missing an important strategic tool: audience research. Let me explain…

There was lots of big news in radio last week, so you’re excused if you missed this story. Amazon is shutting down its “live radio” service – AMP – just 22 months after launch. The story behind this epic fail by one of tech’s mega-companies says a lot about the degree of difficulty of “doing radio.” And it’s a contrast to what happens when a beloved radio stations signs off. I’ll show you one of the best goodbyes ever.

Today’s a special day in radio, but you may not have it marked on your calendar. World College Radio Day is a celebration of all those college students aspiring to a career in radio. Some scoff and say, “Young people don’t even know what a radio IS.” But the kids who spend most of their waking hours learning the craft of radio while getting a degree suggest otherwise. Today’s a special blog post – I didn’t write it. Instead it came from one of those Gen Z kids who LOVES radio. We need to support het, the others in her community, and the college radio stations that make it all possible. But let’s let her tell her story.

Of all the radio formats, the one that is perhaps the most artist-centric is Classic Rock. And one of America’s most memorable National Monuments has become a granite symbol of the music and what it means to millions of fans all over the world. Who’s on YOUR musical Mt. Rushmore?

By any measure, 40 years is a LOOONG time. So the fact Jacobs Media is celebrating this milestone isn’t lost on me. And rather than bask in the goop of nostalgia, today’s post lists a dozen learnings and lessons I’ve culled from my time in the field, running a company I love. Hopefully, there’s a thing or two in here that help you or turn on a light. In any case, I hope you find it entertaining. If you read this blog, you’re a part of it. So, thank you.

As iconic politicians and musicians age, it become less about their declining skills and more about whether they’re prescient enough to know when to walk away. Today’s blog post takes on the gnarly (and close to home?) topic of age, including a great quote from Toby Keith that may stay with you long after you read this post. Welcome to the new week.

If you’re a programmer trying to fill a slot, you know how hard it is to find that one breakthrough candidate. And if you’re talent trying to nail down a job, you’re looking for a way to stand out from the pack. Today, JacoBLOG’s focus is on a guy who thrives on being different – on the air and in his own self-marketing. And a plus – the attributes that help a personality be different also apply to station brands, too.

As our world becomes overrun by millions and millions of brand names, simplicity and clarity matter. How you spell and pronounce and brand name – especially an new one – matters in a world of search engines, bots, and app stores. I’ve got examples, including a couple that are close to home.

A new article in the New York Times talks about a new strategy being embraced by the network television industry. Rather than fighting aging demographics, corporate executives are embracing the most loyal and reliable viewers they have – aging Baby Boomers. And doesn’t that make you wonder why radio strategists aren’t thinking along these same lines?

There’s a new tool in the radio marketing tool kit. And the best news is that it lives in the car dashboard. New metadata tactics and strategies are allowing stations to better brand themselves, while generating more TSL and listening occasions. We’ve got some great example graphics, audio, and some best practices. If you’re not “programming” your dashboard metadata now, you will be soon.

Jimmy Buffet fans, known as Parrotheads, are more than just an audience; they’re a community. What can radio learn from this phenomenon? Can radio stations and personality shows create communities, rather just growing cume and time-spent listening? In today’s post on “community,” Jacobs Media’s Seth Resler puts on a clinic that every radio programmer, manager, and owner can benefit from.