The Jacobs Media Blog

Podcasting. All at once, it’s a juggernaut, it’s on a roll, or it’s seen better days. Well, which is it? I did some digging and came up with irrefutable evidence that proves all three hypotheses. Check it out and you tell me: How’s podcasting doin’?

A career in radio? A few decades ago, it was a very viable option. You could attend hundreds of colleges, universities, or trade schools to learn the tricks of the trade. These days, the Burger King down the block may pay more than the radio stations in town. But it’s more than money, as radio broadcasters struggle to find that sweet spot in a tough economy that’s been especially hard on legacy media. How do radio companies – OK, media companies – find the best and the brightest, when they could make more money flipping burgers? Plus, free food.

Like your drunk uncle at the July 4th reunion, AM radio is still very much a part of the “radio family.” But its fate as a viable medium is clearly in doubt. In today’s blog post, we’ve got three compelling stories that shed a light on where AM is headed – and what it may mean to the rest of the broadcasting industry. And by the way, it’s the first time I’ve written about CB Radio in this blog’s 18 year-history. Breaker breaker 1-9.

If it seems like new radio-like digital products are launching every week, it’s not your imagination. YouTube just debuted a cleverly designed “Radio Builder” product, while Spotify is using generative AI to create personalized radio stations that are hosted an AI jock. It’s called “DJ” and it begs the question: Are you better than an AI DJ?

It’s been said that “the only constant is change.” Today’s blog post is about rolling with the changes, and developing the skill set that legacy companies so dearly need when facing turbulence and uncertainty. From your next hire to your company’s next initiative, managing that change is an imperative. Relax – this won’t hurt.

In radio, we’ve always been big believers in conventional wisdom – that is, “the way we’ve always done it.” Take contests, for example. Radio relies on contesting more than any other medium does. But do they really motivate people to listen? Perhaps they once did, but are they still effective ways to grow ratings, audience, and brands? Maybe it’s time to reconsider.

In this Friday edition of JacoBLOG, it’s a light read – I promise. After a tough week for many of us, today’s post asks some provocative questions about AI, offers up an amazing infographic, and a prediction from one of the world’s tech giants that will surprise you….and maybe make you feel better. It’s just a click away.

By now, everyone is sadly aware of the tragic news that came out of Michigan State University in East Lansing the other night. One of the violent scenes was the MSU Union Building, once the home of the school’s TV Radio Department, and a place where yours truly and thousands of others first got the “radio bug.” While we cannot forget the lives lost and those forever changed by this week’s tragedy, I’m hopeful the legacy of the Union’s fourth floor will go on, too. Forgive a little self-indulgence in today’s post, but I’m betting many of you were lucky enough to experience something similar all those years ago.

There’s nothing like a blog post about layoffs, job cuts, and pink slips to brighten your day. But they are a fact of life in business – and in the radio industry. And there are ways to make these difficult moments better for employees and the organization. I’ve done some homework and have some “better practices” of pink slips to share with you.

While streaming may be the dominant way in which consumers now enjoy content, making massive profits in the space has become increasingly more difficult, whether you’re Netflix or Spotify. Yet, streaming has decimated broadcast media. In today’s blog, media moguls debate how much time television has left, and of course, radio’s survivability is a logical offshoot. Making money in media and entertainment has never been more precarious, fueled by choice and access – two variables that were in short supply just a couple decades ago. But there’s a way out of this for media honchos who are more about strategy and smarts than size and scale.

When you’ve been an entertainer for a long time, peaks and valleys are inevitable. Sometimes, talent actually regresses, something to always take note of. In today’s blog post, we look at two celebrities who have become famous for their popular performances. Even the stars evolve – sometimes for the better, but at other times for the worse. And radio talent can always learn from their best – and worst – practices.

The Super Bowl cometh, and once again, it’s a battle of superstars. The Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes is the face of his team, but he may also be the poster boy for the whole NFL. His intense promotion might make you wonder why radio broadcasters don’t lean into their superstar franchise players – great shows wand hosts – with marketing of their own. Call me crazy, but to turn around those “nobody listens to the radio” naysayers, a little marketing of radio’s stars might be just the thing to shake up the local media business.

If this photo of a minor league baseball park somewhere in America reminds you even a bit of your radio station’s website, you are not alone. A new research study conducted by Storyblok among 6,000 online shoppers in the U.S. and Europe conducted this past November will have a familiar ring to it.  All told, […]

In a mere five days, that AI phenomenon known as ChatGPT achieved an impressive one million downloads. Today, I put it to the test, asking it how radio broadcasters could achieve higher ratings and build better brands. You may be surprised by the cyber-advice it gave me in just the blink of a cyborg’s eye. Radio will use these tools this year, so understanding how they work and what they can do will be essential in keeping up and staying ahead.

A hot new trend in corporate America – and now in radio – is rebranding. It means changing out or redesigning a logo or even the brand’s entire identity. Who’s doing it, how’s it working, and what’s the one iteration of it you should avoid at all costs? Literally.