The Jacobs Media Blog

Is it any wonder that the record industry is in deep trouble?  Like other "old media" sectors, the establishment music industry has made one lame decision after another.  And it continues to lay the blame for its troubles in all the wrong places. On this blog, we have devoted considerable space to questioning the logic […]

A funny thing happened on an investor/analyst call recently.  CBS head honcho Les Moonves was effusive about his company's revenue forecast.  But even more interesting was this statement about the company's radio division: “Radio’s steady improvement is not only a result of an improving economy, but our focus on programming is instrumental as well.”  Tack that […]

A funny thing happened on an investor/analyst call recently.  CBS head honcho Les Moonves was effusive about his company's revenue forecast.  But even more interesting was this statement about the company's radio division: “Radio’s steady improvement is not only a result of an improving economy, but our focus on programming is instrumental as well.”  Tack that […]

I'm a sucker for quizzes, whether they're online or in magazines like Esquire or even Cosmo.  There's a reason why morning shows on slow days thrive on these things – we all are curious about testing ourselves.  So here's today's quiz question:  What's your digital age? This is more than a good question – it […]

I'm a sucker for quizzes, whether they're online or in magazines like Esquire or even Cosmo.  There's a reason why morning shows on slow days thrive on these things – we all are curious about testing ourselves.  So here's today's quiz question:  What's your digital age? This is more than a good question – it […]

The Internet is famous for stumbling upon something interesting while you're looking for a completely different thing. That happened to Ralph during a recent search at Facebook.  He ran across 900,000 pissed off radio listeners. What are they angry about? It's simple.  They're outraged about stations that don't identify artists and titles of the songs […]

There's nothing special about February 24.  Just another winter day on the calendar in the middle of the most boring quarter of the year. But five years ago today, this blog was born, thanks to the encouragement (and cajoling) of our Tim Davis.  At the time, we decided that in order for it to become […]

It is interesting how some of the most prescient observations about society and culture over the decades have come from sci-fi writers and cartoonists.  If you read the graphic novel, Watchman, (much better than the film), you know what I'm talking about.  Today's mind-blower comes courtesy of radio whizguy and Conclave cheerleader Jay Philpott:  "Betty" […]

You've probably heard them, too – lots of smart radio ads for Constant Contact, the email marketing company that enables small businesses and organizations to create email marketing campaigns. I know lots of people who use Constant Contact, and I often look at the bottom of email blasts I receive to see whether the company […]

Most of us know from personal experience, and from reading umpteen research surveys, that Facebook is a mega-force in the way that people now interface with one another.  And the social networking monster continues to permeate older demos as they share observations, stories, pictures, music, and everything else on their walls.   But if Facebook is […]

A recent story in The New York Times highlighted that famous Vh1 promotion back in the '80s where they gave away 36 Corvettes – from the very first model in 1953 all the way to the current year (1989) sports car.  For a bit more than a million dollars, that much-buzzed about promotion helped put […]

One of the casualties of the media recession is that so many companies have had to lay off great employees.  Left to hold down the fort are often managers struggling to get it all done.  Radio was never designed for programmers to oversee two or more stations, do an airshift, and update the website, but […]

Today's post is from Jacobs Media's talent maven, Keith Cunningham.  While it may surprise you, he's an Oprah fan, and here's why: OK, I know what you’re thinking:  “Keith, you’re a rock guy.  What can we possibly learn from the queen of daytime television?”  Well, over my years of coaching radio personalities, I’ve kept a […]

Don't say we didn't warn you.  Pandora's Tim Westergren has been gunning for broadcast radio for some time now.  And he doesn't hide it.  He comes right out and tells everyone that Pandora's goal is to replace traditional radio as we know it.  He hosts town hall meetings (I attended a packed one here in […]

If you're a regular reader of this blog, you may be thinking, "Enough already with this Super Bowl." But when a single sporting event attracts more viewers than any other show in the history of television, generating approximately $3 million per :60 commercial, you'll have to indulge me for one more post. That's because with […]

Toyota is going through hell right now, and in the typical frenzy that occurs in these media crazy times, they have become the butt of jokes, from late night talk hosts to YouTube.   We can all sit on the sidelines and snicker, but the fact is, anyone who manages a company or station should get […]

Over Super Bowl weekend, broadcasting lost one of its legends.  And many of you probably never heard of him or you know very little about him. Frank Magid, the founder and president of Frank N. Magid Associates, passed away.  Frank was the brains and vision behind audience research for both television and radio.  If you've […]

Our consultant, Ralph Cipolla, is still frustrated that his beloved Buffalo Bills still haven't won the big one.  Undaunted, here are some of his observations from Super Bowl XLIV: Here are some reflections of the big game from my couch:  We saw The Saints win their first NFL championship in their history, a franchise that […]

Five years ago, an interactive radio advertising campaign looked like this: You bought a bunch of spots, and we'd send over the street team, the van, and our tent to your event and hang out with your customers.  Of course, you'd get a series of live "cut-ins" throughout the afternoon. Today, interactive has an entirely […]

So Sunday's the big game (I don't want to say Super Bowl for risk of being sued).  It should be a good one.  Two exciting teams.  Two great quarterbacks.  And lots of much-talked about commercials in between. I would invite you, however, to skip the food and the beverages during halftime and check out The […]