The Jacobs Media Blog

The PRPD Content Conference begins today in Philly, one of the few broadcast industry events left that is geared to programmers. And this year, they’ve got a lot on their plates. The big deal is a new aggregation of more than two dozen research studies, producing a series of major recommendations. Some are no surprise, but others are steeped in controversy. And I’ll be unveiling our new Public Radio Techsurvey that hopefully adds some clarity to the conversation. What happens in public radio during the next 12 months promises to have impact on the entire industry. We’re starting the new week off with a bang.

Yesterday’s post tackled the gnarly topic of how radio organizations can tackle their digital transformations without getting mired in content and financial quicksand. How can radio broadcasters protect their core assets – the “mothership” – while successfully venturing out into the digital wilderness? So, I promised solutions, and they’re here in today’s post. Warning: they won’t blow you away with their innovativeness or flash. And they aren’t likely to snag you a Marconi. But they just might help you carve out a digital pathway you can forge not just in 2023, but become a sustainable plan that can accomplish your goals for years to come. I know you’ll let me know if it delivers.

Radio broadcasters love to talk about new trends. That’s a big part of the reason AI has become a well-discussed topic this year. But a major trend flying under the format radar is the rise of Christian radio in market after market. While many radio operators are struggling to grow audience and generate revenue, this traditional radio format is trailblazing success in both areas. Today’s blog post takes a look under the hood to uncover the how’s and why’s of Christian radio’s most recent successes.

For new program directors in radio these days, great training is at a premium. Most companies no longer have the time or resources to provide much in the way of guidance of up-and-coming PDs. And now many of the conferences that once featured programming sessions and panels are no longer convening? Today’s post is centered on 10 DO’s and DON’Ts every young programmer should be aware of (and maybe a few veteran PDs, too). It’s a compilation of my years of learning – both the easy and hard way to succeed at this craft we call radio programming. Dig in.

Over the holiday weekend, radio’s beleaguered sellers got a hot new competitor. Spotify is now throwing their algorithm into the ring, going hot and heavy after local retail business. To give today’s post much-needed credibility, we turn to sales maven extraordinaire, Paul Jacobs, for inspiration…and solutions.

Heading into the holiday weekend, thinking about a career in radio as a “labor” of love.

Is there anything better than a great tease campaign? Right now, the Rolling Stones are running a master class for their new song. Check out what they’re up to.

Labor Day Weekend is always a key turning point every year. And 2023 is no different. This coming Tuesday after the holiday might reveal whether orders to return to the office – will be heeded by millions of employees who have become accustomed to Zoom meetings, working in their pajamas, and walking the dog in between calls. What impact will RTO after Labor Day have on radio throughout the country, especially in bigger markets where the inflow back to stations has gone slowly?

The Holy Grail in radio has always revolved around finding and connecting with P1 fans, the most frequent, dependable, and loyal listeners. And yet, station email databases may be the best and still overlooked tool in the digital toolkit. Now thanks to AI, radio might start looking at its massive collections of heavy listeners differently, thanks to the speed and personalization abilities of Artificial Intelligence. Today’s blog post looks at a new study of AI marketers for clues about how radio can more effectively recapture that email database magic for the upcoming Fall Book.

If you’re been known to use the catchphrase “live & local” with regularity, today’s post may give you pause. It’s a different way to consider audience and brand-building that isn’t built around a content or marketing model. Seth Resler originally wrote this post, and it struck me as something I hope more of you have an opportunity to read – and take to heart. “Community” isn’t just a buzzword. It’s an operating philosophy that’s not for everybody. But if you look at your audience through this lens, you might be well on your way to creating something very special.

Radio has taken its knocks this past few years, but there’s no denying the medium shines extra brightly during disasters. When those cell towers go down and the power goes out, radio is there. But what happens when communications break down during emergencies, and radio finds itself without the information it needs to excel. That may be the way the Maui tragedy may be remembered. Today’s blog post looks at what happened on Maui from the vantage point of a broadcaster on the ground.