The Jacobs Media Blog

How else would you describe the absurd stunt that Clear Channel pulled on Detroit radio listeners this week?  On Tuesday, they announced the demise of WDTW and drove listeners to the website 1067needshelp.com.  At least, the website was well-named.  The smart money was on a switch to Country, but the stunt suggested otherwise. The site […]

That is the question your listeners will be asking each other this morning.  And hopefully, someone from your morning show went to see it. Whether or not your team likes these big movies, the culmination of "American Idol," or how Jack Bauer saves the world on "24," the point is that big portions of their […]

Inside Radio reports that the RAB has six candidates to replace President/CEO Gary Fries, some radio vets and others from different industries.  It’s hard to handicap a race without a program, but our vote is to go from outside the bun.  If there was ever a time for new thinking on the radio sales front, […]

Buzz Knight has turned me on to a new bio about Babe Ruth, "The Big Bam," especially timely in the summer where Barry Bonds will undoubtedly pass The Bambino in round-trippers.  Of course, Babe’s reputation as a hard-drinking, party animal is the legend that we all remember, but author Leigh Montville portrays another side of […]

We’re welcoming back Paul Jacobs for a guest blog today: If you want to get to the bottom of why radio revenue isn’t growing, maybe it’s time to face the harsh truth that we’re out of favor with the advertising community.  While we can argue the reasons, the finding from a recent study from Forrester […]

That’s how it feels from here, as we announce our 11th Jacobs Summit, this time in cahoots with R&R and the NAB.  As you probably know, those august organizations have combined forces to schedule their conventions in the same hotel in Dallas in mid-September.  As has always been the case, there will be no registration […]

While flipping through a recent Billboard Radio Monitor devoted to alternative delivery for radio, I happened across a column called "Programming For Kids:  Still Off Radio’s Radar" (subscription required).  Edison’s Larry Rosin had a telling quote about why commercial radio has virtually no appeal to younger listeners, "You reap what you sow.  Target them and […]

If you counted on ME for stock market tips, you might have to work an extra decade in order to retire.  Having said that, we put together a 3-part blog a month ago (here, here, and here) about satellite radio, and related issues. We talked about commercial radio companies refusing to run satellite radio ads.  […]

That’s one of my favorite lines that a certain radio CEO has said to me over the years, when explaining the true role that consultants play for his company.  No doubt about it, it’s harder to point out the uncomfortable truth than it is to stroke clients from rating book to rating book.  Our philosophy […]

Larry Rosin, of Edison Media Research, makes some compelling points in a new "think piece" on programming HD Radio channels. Click HERE to read Larry’s thoughts.

With all apologies to William Shakespeare… Rock journalist Gary Graff recently asked me about the place of protest music on the radio.  Back in the day, of course, "For What It’s Worth" and "Ohio" were synonymous with that spirit of activism that permeated Rock Radio in the late ’60s and early ’70s.  Of course, there […]

Clear Channel continues to focus on the C-word – CONTENT.  For the first time in recent memory, there’s news and even some buzz about the celebrity signing of Whoopi Goldberg for syndicated mornings.  The chances are good that on her first morning this summer, she’ll be talking to more women than she could possibly reach […]

If you’re OLN (did you know that’s the Outdoor Life Network?), you have to do something about that lame name.  If you’re an NHL Hockey fan, you know about this channel – for everyone else, it’s just a forgettable brand name. That’s why they’ve taken their sports programming into account and have made the switch […]

In a sea of tumultuous radio news over the past week, here comes Emmis to throw everyone a curve.  The big news is that Jeff Smulyan intends to take his company private.  We have long been critical of the Wall Street mentality that prevents radio companies from truly investing in their products and their content.  […]

As first quarter grinds to a tough end, and broadcasters look forward to an HD Radio future, let’s take stock of what’s happened in the last 100 days. The HD Radio promos are rolling out, and are getting prime exposure on many major market stations across the country.  A few more months of this, and […]

There have been a lot of great radio stories in the past year, but perhaps none bigger than the explosiveness of The Hog in Milwaukee.  If you recall, 2005 was the Year of The Brew.  The mission was to "fix Lazer," make it dominant, perhaps hurt The Brew in the process, and do as little […]