The Jacobs Media Blog

In today’s “Best of JacoBLOG installment, we revisit a moment last summer where radio here in the U.S. found itself on multiple fronts. The gloves are off, whether we’re talking about one of radio’s traditional partners or a long time nemesis from space. Click here to find out why there was lots of hubbub in the summer of 2022.

The conventional wisdom states Gen Z is out of reach to broadcast radio, and the TikTok video at the top of today’s post reinforces that. But the data suggests otherwise. In fact, teens’ affinity to brands will surprise you. It’s a major market, totally untapped by a radio broadcasting industry in search of revenue. So, let’s connect the dots – and perhaps rethink about what continuing to chase 25-54s has done to FM radio formats.

Today’s “Best of JacoBLOG” post goes all the way back to the first week of 2022. It was all about the world of Alternative radio and its perennial flagship station, KROQ in Los Angeles. Last year at this time, KKROQ was on its knees and Alternative was a format in search of its soul. So what kind of year has been for both the format and its (former?) standard bearer?

On “Best of JacoBLOG” today, this post lives up to the hype. It’s the story about how former NPR CEO, Jarl Mohn, became a “member” of all 251 NPR affiliated stations by writing each of them a $1,000 check. In exchange, Jarl made a simple request. He asked each station to send him their coffee mug. It’s a symbolic gesture that speaks volumes about leadership and class in a world sorely lacking both. I’ve known Jarl for decades, and today’s post lists six key qualities that define a great leader. Grab a cup of coffee, click here, and join me.

“Best of JacoBLOG” continues on a holiday Monday with a post from last January that was not widely read when it first published. It was just another day and another blaring headline about the demise of new music. But when it comes from a respected author and writer, it’s worthy of our attention. And because the state of music – especially the new stuff – is important to radio’s present and future, there are implications worth noting. So even though this post was written 11 months ago, it still resonates today. The radio broadcasting business, and several of its most important and profitable formats are hanging in the balance.

Generation X celebrated a big birthday this year, as its members began to turn the Big 5-0. Us Baby Boomers have been there and done that, as we’ve been pushed aside by advertisers and marketers enamored with (wait for it….) Millennials! For a look at what’s next for Gen X, today’s “Best of” blog post put generational spending in perspective. It will make you reach for your Prevagen or maybe your Tums.

Best of JacoBLOG continues with a post from last January. It was triggered by the passing of Howard Hesseman, the guy who played Dr. Johnny Fever, the patron saint of rock radio DJs on the “WKRP in Cincinnati” sitcom. Fever wasn’t just a sitcom character or a laugh track. He was a caricature of the real thing – cool rock radio DJs who rules the airwaves back then. Today’s blog post looks at radio’s “cool factor” – where it went, why it matters, and maybe how to get it back.

Today starts our “Best of JacoBLOG” series as we close out 2022. We go back to August, and anew term gaining popularity in workplace circles: “quiet quitting.” For some, it’ was the quiet pursuit of that elusive work-live balance. For others, it was about playing the delay game on a boring or bad paying job as an unhappy employee seeks greener pastures. But what about radio? Who are the “quiet quitters” and is anybody serious about attaining a work-live balance? Keep reading.