The Jacobs Media Blog

Every company that used to refer to itself as “radio broadcasting” is in the process of trying to carve out a workable digital strategy. Podcasts, streaming, SEO, newsletters, and other content verticals are all being test-driven, often with mixed results. But in the last year, there’s a new entrant – online mobile games like Wordle – that have captured the attention and time of millions. The New York Times and now Spotify are all in. Et tu, radio?

When it comes to technology, we’ve been exposed to many CEOs who double as hype artists: Steve Jobs, Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, Mark Zuckerberg. And the hits just keep on comin’. But in today’s blog post, I’m going to introduce you to one you don’t know. He’s Carl Pei and he’s launched a new company called Nothing. Now that’s something.

We’re at a challenging intersection in the history of work. Many employees are re-examining their life/work balance. In radio, many of us wonder what that is. Right now, our fourth survey of air talent – AQ4 – is in the field. We’re learning about how the radio industry’s most valuable resource – on-air personalities – is faring. We’re heading toward an inflection point in radio, and today’s blog post offers up thoughts about where we’re headed, and what happens once we get there. Thanks for reading it.

As the COVID 19 smoke clears, the radio broadcasting industry is in reassessment mode. One thing is for sure: the stations with the best personalities, DJs, hosts, and shows stand the best chance at long-term, sustainable success. But how are radio’s ambassadors behind the mic feeling? What are their attitudes about their stations, their companies, and their careers? Our fourth research survey, AQ4, dedicated to air talent goes in the field today. With your help, we’ll soon have the answers.

The political season is upon us, and that means loaded stopsets filled with ads across the spectrum. For many radio stations – especially conservative talkers – the next several months will be full of great material that will stir up the phones, electrify social media, and fire up the ratings. But why doesn’t that work both ways. Where’s the left-wing boost from the political discourse. We throw caution to the wind today to discuss just that.

Is radio sales a lost art? It’s that often-missing link between content creation and success. And yet despite being a century old, radio still struggles with its sales efforts, especially in a more complex media/marketing environment. Today, we come armed with solutions.

Ask any marketer – words matter. And in the expanding world of audio and media, you need a scorecard to sort out the various players and the positions they wish to occupy. In the middle of all the tumult is good old broadcast radio, the original audio medium (after speech, of course). How radio is playing this game of “word salad” may determine the eventual pecking order and the winners…and losers.

What’s new in your radio market? Traditionally, radio stations have relied on local media to cover the going-on at stations. But increasingly, newspapers and their entertainment reporters are calling it a day. And where does that leave radio?

The July 4th holiday signals the end of the first half of the year. So far, I bet we’re generally been a tough 2022 so far, and there’s concern about what to come? But it could be a LOT worse. In fact, it has been a lot more dire and perplexing. Just two years ago in 2020, my 4th of July post heading into a long holiday weekend was downright dire. Today’s theme? Let’s be thankful for what we have and how far we’ve come.

Decisions, decisions, decisions. In radio they come fast and furious, day in and day out. And in today’s blog post. Paul Jacobs takes on the challenge presented by an advertising buy that’s good for sales, but maybe not so great for programming. As you read the post, ask yourself, “What would YOU do?” Although it may turn out, it’s a decision you’ve already made.

Smart speaker growth has stalled, and at the center of this trend is Alexa, Amazon’s once wildly popular voice assistant. But marketing snafus and unforced errors over the years have halted Alexa’s growth. Last week, a wild new rumor blew up online like a tech conspiracy theory: Alexa can now bring voices back from the dead. Today’s blog post traces Alexa’s checkered marketing history, and makes the case for why strong smart speaker sales are the best thing that could happen to AM/FM radio since the Walkman. “Alexa, click on READ MORE.”

Since automakers started installing radios in cars, broadcasters have benefitted from drivers habitually turning on their favorite stations, shows, and personalities when they get behind the wheel. But in recent years, those habits have begun to erode. Part of the reason is COVID, but another culprit is tech companies going after radio’s habitual listening. Today, radio broadcasters need to ask themselves some key questions about what they need to own and market. And that’s the topic of today’s JacoBLOG.

The July 4th holiday is approaching, and chances are you’ll be attending a live concert sooner rather than later. That’s why we’ve returned to the JacoBLOG junk drawer. We rummaged through the treasure – and the junk – and came up with three great concert stories to amuse and amaze. No lines, free parking, and no one standing in front of you yelling “FREE BIRD!!” Enjoy.

If you read this blog post on a regular basis, I’d prefer to think of you as smart, learned, confident, and talented. But I’ve learned that in radio, you can be a five-tool stud program director and still be brought to your knees when “the book” comes out. Today on JacoBLOG, it’s ratings rituals. I’ve checked in with some of the best in the business to hear their superstitious ratings day quirks. What are yours?