The Jacobs Media Blog

Leave it to St. Louis’ Point to come up with a cool, listener-oriented feedback campaign, The Soundboard.  Not to be critical of their efforts, however, we’re a bit less-than happy about the way they have positioned it on the air.  It’s one thing to be all about the listener, but their approach may be a […]

In just a couple of weeks, Apple’s revolutionary new iPhone will finally come to market, and we will see if the reality lives up to the hype.  I was doing a market visit a couple of weeks ago, and someone on the programming staff asked me, "Will the iPhone change everything?" Now THAT’S a heavy […]

"…but the melody lingers on."  –Irving Berlin These words rang so true last Sunday night as America watched the final episode of "The Sopranos."  There are still raging arguments about that final scene, especially the music choice, "Don’t Stop Believin" by Journey. Was this a cruel joke on the part of creator David Chase?  Is […]

"…but the melody lingers on."  –Irving Berlin These words rang so true last Sunday night as America watched the final episode of "The Sopranos."  There are still raging arguments about that final scene, especially the music choice, "Don’t Stop Believin" by Journey. Was this a cruel joke on the part of creator David Chase?  Is […]

In more and more conference rooms, we’re hearing increasing evidence of business moving to digital platforms.  As radio copes with flat to down revenues in many markets, the rush to generate revenue via websites, texting, and other new applications becomes an ever-increasing reality. It’s tough out there, as companies grapple with choosing the right strategies […]

Samsung has a new mobile phone about to come to market – the Jitterbug.  According to cell phone maven, Arlene Harris, this new offering has been simplified (dumbed down) to appeal to Baby Boomers. It only has three buttons – one that calls 911, another to call an operator, and a third that has a […]

If you had a choice – if you had to live with just one device or technology – what would it be?  Would you choose the Internet?  Or TV?  Or your iPod?  Or FM Radio? That was the hypothetical question we posed to 25,000+ Rockers in this year’s Technology Poll, and the winner may surprise […]

It seems that most of the meetings that Paul and I participate in with high-level broadcasters continue to focus on where revenue growth is going to come from.  That’s why the data below – 68,000,000 streamies strong – pretty much speaks for itself.  Look at the volume of streaming, check out the quality of advertisers, […]

Detroit’s famous State Theatre has changed its name to The Fillmore Detroit.  No, the first artist to play at this newly branded venue will not be the Allman Brothers Band, but instead will be Fergie.  Yet, in Fillmore tradition, there will be a basket of apples in the lobby, and the decor will be vintage […]

The video revolution is underway, led in large part by YouTube.  While most people focus on its sale to Google for $1.65 billion, consider this:  YouTube didn’t even exist until February 2005.  This reinforces the amazing potential of web-based business concepts, as well as the meteoric rise of streaming video. This year’s version of the […]

Today marks the debut of our new website design at Jacobsmedia.com. OK, it’s not like the release of a CD or the opening of a Broadway play.  But like anything that’s new, different, and untested, the folks here at Jacobs Media are a little atwitter about the unveiling of our new website design. As a […]

Today’s the day that every Starbucks on Planet Earth will be playing wall-to-wall Memory Almost Full, the new CD by Paul McCartney. At Jacobs Media, we have long referred to seminal Classic Rockers as "Mt. Rushmore Artists" – the faces that every core Rock fan envisions as synonymous with this great music.  For most people, […]

If you watch "Entourage," you know the clothes that Vince, Drama, and Turtle walk around in epitomize casual but very cool dress.  This is why they’ve created an entire line of clothing for sale, all based on the "Entourage" sense of fashion.  This is a great idea, of course, but nothing that radio hasn’t been […]

Jacobs consultant, Ralph Cipolla, checks in with a blog update about this very special day.  Where IS the year going? I trust you had a safe, relaxing, and work-free Memorial Day Weekend holiday.  More importantly, I hope you took the time to remember the true meaning of this holiday, a day when we remember those […]

It’s amazing what some strong ratings and a couple of station debuts can do to rekindle the media’s perceptions about Rock Radio.  PPM coverage in various outlets is coming back universally positive for Rock formats – a great sign for stations that have been fighting the good fight with buyers, advertisers – and perhaps even […]

As the Oldies format sails into the sunset, and a month doesn’t go by without someone asking what on earth will Classic Rock stations do in five years when their listeners start moving 55+.  You have to wonder about who is making decisions in the ad world. That’s why I was heartened by a recent […]

You’d think that during a long Memorial Day Weekend, there would be no shortage of great movies to see.  But like the record industry, there are "issues" in movieland, too.  After my 16 year-old son came home from "Pirates 3," declaring that it "sucked" and was 45 minutes longer than necessary, my hopes for a […]

Early last month, we posted a blog about Paul McCartney’s new relationship with Starbucks.  Here’s follow-up. On June 5th, watch out for this music stunt:  All McCartney All The Time. If this sounds like something you’d hear on a Classic Rock radio station, think again.  It will be the sound inside every Starbucks – all […]

A few thoughts about the changing tides in radio, before heading out for a long holiday weekend… It’s been a tough patch for Rock-based formats these past few years.  The ratings have trended down for both Alternative and Active Rock, and up until recently, there have been few new sign-ons. But consider the following radio […]

A few thoughts about the changing tides in radio, before heading out for a long holiday weekend… It’s been a tough patch for Rock-based formats these past few years.  The ratings have trended down for both Alternative and Active Rock, and up until recently, there have been few new sign-ons. But consider the following radio […]