The Jacobs Media Blog

The Pew Internet & American Life Project has just released their first standalone study about smartphone ownership.  I'll sum it up for you in two basic findings: People love their smartphones, and… …smartphone ownership crosses many demographic lines. So no matter whether you program, sell, or own radio stations, this phenomenon touches your business in […]

On Thursday, we'll be hosting our second "Summer School" at Conclave.  Last year was the first time we were invited to take over a four-hour chunk of the agenda, and we not only had a great time putting it together, but it was extremely well-attended and the "students" were really engaged. "Summer School" has become […]

We’re living in a business world that is changing so quickly that it is sometimes hard to comprehend exactly what we should be thinking and focusing our efforts on.  Sure, we all have goals – ratings, share of market, sales numbers, EBITDA, and all that. That’s the easy part, and if we keep our heads […]

We’re living in a business world that is changing so quickly that it is sometimes hard to comprehend exactly what we should be thinking and focusing our efforts on.  Sure, we all have goals – ratings, share of market, sales numbers, EBITDA, and all that. That’s the easy part, and if we keep our heads […]

Jacobs Media’s Digital and Social Strategist Lori Lewis has been test driving the new Google+. now this looks interesting… The Google+ launch went so well last week with various tech and social types (including me) that many are already claiming they’ve given up Facebook. Now, while Google’s road map is ambitious enough to create something […]

Jacobs Media’s Digital and Social Strategist Lori Lewis has been test driving the new Google+. now this looks interesting… The Google+ launch went so well last week with various tech and social types (including me) that many are already claiming they’ve given up Facebook. Now, while Google’s road map is ambitious enough to create something […]

I did the math the other day, and the sad truth is that I spend approximately 75 nights a year in hotels.  They vary quite a bit because most of the time, I’m dependent on clients for setting up trades with local hotels. Something that is changing in the hotel industry revolves around increased use of technology.  […]

Our resident apps maven, Paul Jacobs, takes a look at the mobile phenomenon and a recently released set of numbers that are truly impressive.  Let’s take a ride on the mobile juggernaut.  This post ties in to yesterday’s SoMo discussion. In a recent presentation, the head of digital venture capital leader Kleiner Perkins, John Doerr, […]

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As we learned up close and personal in “Goin’ Mobile” last year, social media and mobile are dual accelerants – each feeding off the other – and growing in ways that were previously unimaginable. Facebook’s impact on our lives continues to amaze us, as the numbers rise meteorically, including people that we never dreamed would […]

 Jacobs Media wishes you and your families a happy and safe Fourth of July Weekend.  We will return on Tuesday, July 5.  In the meantime, wear sunscreen.

How does your brand stand out in a crowded industry where you’re surrounded by strong competition? Simple.  You distinguish yourself, your services, and your services from all the others. Actually, not so simple.  Drug stores, car dealers, and radio stations struggle with this challenge every day. That’s why when you see something innovative in an […]

Did you ever get a cool gift from someone who cared about you – and instead of unwrapping it and putting it to use, you let it sit on a shelf because you were too busy to enjoy it? I’m hoping that doesn’t happen with the gift that B101’s Jerry Lee has given the radio […]

The not-so-good news last week out of Detroit was that Ford’s J.D. Power ratings dropped the automaker to 23rd on the list of automotive brands for IQS rankings – Initial Quality Ratings. For Ford – the American automaker that did not take the bailout money – this was a pail of ice water because in […]

In radio, we often spend a lot of time and a lot of money bribing the audience to listen to our stations.  Sometimes, contests have strategic value – like the “Workforce Payroll” promotion that supports at-work listening. But for the most part, contests are steroids.  They can move the needle temporarily and perhaps help “buy […]

Our resident personality coach and morning radio fan, Keith Cunningham, just about got Weinered-out last week.  Here are some thoughts about how any show can use smart treatment strategies to be just like Howard. While he may be further out of the media limelight these days, Howard Stern still knows how to stir it up and […]

Last weekend was simply beautiful in many parts of the country, a full baseball schedule, the U.S. Open on TV, and it was Father’s Day. And in the middle of it all came the announcement that “The Big Man” – Clarence Clemons – passed away.  While Bruce Springsteen isn’t the staple he was back in […]

OK, it started with this screaming headline in Radio Ink. (You have to hand it to Eric Rhoads – he loves a good controversy and enjoys using his publication as a forum.) JERRY LEE: “STREAMING YOUR STATION IS A BAD BUSINESS MODEL” And from there, a digital can of worms opened, eliciting comments – often […]

Imagine the frustration and humiliation of being a market leader in an industry that is exploding – only to lose your dominance and even your respect. Ask Rupert Murdoch how he feels about the demise of MySpace at a time when social media has become a dominant part of the culture. And now Research in […]

Every day we are barraged by articles, blogs, and research about media and technology.  It’s easy to miss something important amidst all the new gadget releases and pundit observations. That was the case with a recent MediaPost email I received.  Buried at the bottom was this headline: “Smartphone sales up 80%.” The piece itself was just […]