The Jacobs Media Blog

A recent New York Times article notes the smell of incense in lots of advertising these days – and there are signs that it will intensify into lots of marketing expenditures this year. A number of brands are dredging up '60s images, clothing, decor, and phrases during the 2009 version of the Summer of Love.  […]

Here's a quote from Magic Johnson:  "Michael Jackson made me a better point guard." What?  It is truly incredible how death can instantly change one's image.  Have you ever seen so many people come out of the woodwork, "deeply affected" by Jackson's passing? This recent "research" from the website, GraphJam, says a lot about posthumous mood swings and […]

A catchy headline, to be sure, but that's what the "Cash for Clunkers" government program could mean for radio.  But not if radio reps are going through the "business as usual boogie."  It's why radio stations that play the same drops and positioners, month after month, sound dated and out of it, when they should […]

Last week, Arbitron broke out its April data based on the first month of Cell-Phone Only data.  They discovered that while the overall 12+ level for CPO is just under 11%, more than one-quarter of 18-24s have dumped their land lines in favor of mobile phones.   Of course, this is data we discovered during our […]

In a recent Sunday edition of The New York Times was a full page ad for Target, asking this simple question: Tell us what more we can do for you. Customers are encouraged to send Target an email, and they'll receive a timely response. Does it get any more simple than this?  A basic question […]

    We wish you and your family a safe and wonderful Independence Day!! JacoBlog will return on Monday, July 6.

There's been a lot of talk in media circles in recent weeks about "The Oprah Effect."  This is where Oprah provides marketing's "Holy Grail" – an unabashed endorsement of a product that she believes in.  It's one thing to read a J.D. Power report for a car or to analyze online reviews of a product.  […]

As we continue to dissect Tech Poll V and mine its rich data, one continual thread has emerged – Boomers are catching up.  When it comes to new media and gadgets, Classic Rockers are displaying greater comfort with technology.  While they're not moving at light speed like their kids, they are becoming increasingly immersed in […]

As we continue to dissect Tech Poll V and mine its rich data, one continual thread has emerged – Boomers are catching up.  When it comes to new media and gadgets, Classic Rockers are displaying greater comfort with technology.  While they're not moving at light speed like their kids, they are becoming increasingly immersed in […]

OK, I'll admit it – I'm conflicted about HD Radio.  I wanted to believe in this innovation when it was first introduced, and again when the Alliance was formed.  I was involved in the front end with RIFF 2, and have always been complimentary of what a great job they've done with this HD brand. […]

The shocking news of Michael Jackson's death sure felt a lot like when I heard about the passing of Elvis, except that in the digital world of information, it was a whole different story.  The fact that TMZ broke the story while the so-called cable news media, USA Today, and AP all waited around speaks […]

The shocking news of Michael Jackson's death sure felt a lot like when I heard about the passing of Elvis, except that in the digital world of information, it was a whole different story.  The fact that TMZ broke the story while the so-called cable news media, USA Today, and AP all waited around speaks […]

At a time when everyone's preaching that "Content is king," but so many stations actions suggest the opposite, another gathering of the nation's talent is about to take place in Nashville next month.  It's the "Morning Show Boot Camp," put on by Don Anthony, the guy who's been Mr. Talent in radio for more than […]

A recently released Ad-ology Research study reports that in a lousy economy, consumers are paying attention to companies that advertise – and those who don't.  According to the research, nearly half of the respondents believe that when companies become invisible from an advertising perspective, it's an indication that they're struggling financially. Of course, this is great […]

Recently, AOL Money & Finance created a list of 13 iconic brands that now find themselves on the brink of bankruptcy.  It's an impressive list, and it's sobering to see this collection of once monster companies that are now flirting with disaster. The article cites household brands like Citigroup, Sears, Kodak, and of course, General […]

The technology explosion continually challenges broadcast radio in homes, at work, and now, in cars.  We've seen evidence of this in our Technology Polls, conducted among radio's most loyal listeners.  At work, computers are far more ubiquitous than radios.  At home, there's no shortage of gadgets and media, from the Internet, games, and television.  And […]

A recent article in USA Today about iPhones took an interesting sidetrack about device usage.  Nielsen research guru, Roger Entner, put together a mind-blowing analysis that clearly showed how totally active iPhone users really are – compared with owners of other mobile phones, wireless laptop computers, and even Blackberries. When looking at the monthly megabyte […]

Some big news out of the satellite radio camp this week. First, in the middle of the recession and at a time when subscribership is on a downward trajectory, Sirius XM is raising prices to accommodate music royalties.  At the end of July, the monthly fee gets jacked up $1.98 to pay for the performance […]

Excuse my French, but as our research at Jacobs Media has been showing for months, it IS the economy, stupid.  Between our most recent Technology Poll, and the ongoing L.A.B. groups that we've been conducting for client stations, we continue to see online coupons rise in value – to consumers. Now, a new study from […]

Excuse my French, but as our research at Jacobs Media has been showing for months, it IS the economy, stupid.  Between our most recent Technology Poll, and the ongoing L.A.B. groups that we've been conducting for client stations, we continue to see online coupons rise in value – to consumers. Now, a new study from […]