Our founder, Fred Jacobs, offers insights into the latest trends in broadcasting and digital media.

How Could You Have Gotten That SO Wrong?
Some of the most iconic names in business, media, and technology have made horrific decisions during these past several years. Spreadsheet cuts, gut calls, and plain old intuition are all driving both the brilliant and wrong-headed decisions made by the people at the top of the pyramid. I’ve got some eye-opening real-life examples in today’s blog post – reminders about just how difficult it is.
Read MoreThe Guys Who Owned The Position On “Positioning”
We are inundated with marketing books, but one of the most seminal in radio circles is “Positioning: The Battle For Your Mind” by Al Ries and Jack Trout. Al Ries passed away last week, and today’s JacoBLOG takes a look at this “marketing maverick” and what he’s meant to radio.
Read MoreThe Power of Music Passion
The fortunes of radio formats go up and down in mysterious ways, often defying logic. Some lay the blame on record labels and the inevitable music cycles. But an interview with one of music’s all-time icons revealas that at its core, music enjoyment is rooted in passion and a connection with fans, something that’s not always plentiful on the radio these days. Today’s #TBT post looks at music passion on and off the airwaves. Six years later, it very much speaks to the music and radio malaise we’re living through today.
Read MoreWhy Have So Many Radio Stations Given Up On Weekends?
Weekends are….different. We get our of normal routines for two cherished days away from the grind. And that raises the question of why Saturdays and Sundays have become throwaway days when the ways radio fits the “weekend vibe” presents both branding and ratings opportunities. Today’s blog post asks you to rethink how your radio station connects with audiences on those “S days.”
Read MoreStop! Hey, What’s The Sound?
In an entertainment and information landscape loaded with seemingly endless choices, brands need to do all they can to stand out. For audio brands, a tool growing in popularity is the sound signature, a few short seconds of audio that gets stuck in the brains of consumers. Problem is, coming up with just the right piece of audio is a heavy lift, enough to discourage brands from going down this road. But now Wikipedia may have hit on the answer, which I’ll share wiht you in today’s post. Check it out.
Read MoreIs Radio Out Of The Appointment Listening Business?
Remember “The Birthday Game?” For radio, it was the epitome of “appointment listening.” These days, that concept has the gone the way of the Walkman and the cart machine as on-demand programming and excessive competition has made it tough for radio stations to stand out and get tune-in. Today, we might just have an answer or at least a pathway for how your station can remain cutting-edge and current even in these budget-depleted times.
Read More90% Of Radio Is Mental Health
Since the onset of COVID in March of 2020, societal stress levels have skyrocketed. Now, scientists say many of us have experienced bigger personality changes than expected. In radio, the pressure has been especially high in the air studio, where concerns over job losses also loom. Even one of the most successful personalities of all time – Howard Stern – has succumbed to pandemic pressure, the topic of today’s blog post. Dig in.
Read MoreBob Pittman: Brands Are Like People
These days, radio is transforming itself. And the guy in the corner office at iHeart Media – Bob Pittman – has long been a change agent and transformer, whether at MTV, AOL, or Six Flags. In today’s post, we look at a #ThrowbackThursday post when Pittman opened up his playbook and discussed the power of great brand building and what’s around the corner during an interview. It’s meaty stuff , so take good notes.
Read MoreA TikTok’s Worth 1,000 Words
The conventional wisdom states Gen Z is out of reach to broadcast radio. 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.
Read MoreIs There Trouble In Podcasting Land? Part 2
2022 will be a record year for podcasting revenue, but the industry has hit some inevitable speed bumps this year. Is it just recession-driven fear and paranoia, or are there other forces at work that are putting podcasting’s future in jeopardy? In part two of yesterday’s post that asked whether there’s trouble in Podcasting Land, we consult a number of experts along with some up-to-date developments in the space. So you can decide for yourself.
Read MoreIs There Trouble In Podcasting Land?
Many believe podcast revenue will top the $2 billion milestone in 2022. And yet, there has not been a blockbuster hit podcast this year. Or last year. Or the year before. Today’s post looks at what experts are saying about the state of the podcasting business.
Read MoreWhat Are Your Deepest Darkest Radio Secrets?
We all know radio is a fun business – always has been. But in every career, we’ve been witness to some crazy things – even a dark secret or two. And that’s the theme of this Friday blog post – your chance to spill, anonymously of course. What’s that radio story that we’d love to know about. But no names, call letters, or owners please. The “comments” are wide open for you.
Read More“I Can’t Believe You Get Paid To Play Your Favorite Songs On The Radio”
Amazon is betting that millions of regular folks will want to try their hand at being DJs. It didn’t work so well in podcasting. Today’s post looks at Amp Radio, Amazon’s newest foray into radio.
Read MoreThe Show(runner) Must Go On
This year marks “Saturday Night Live’s” 47th year on television. And for its entire run, it’s had the same P.D….er, showrunner. Lorne Michaels has a tougher-than-usual task this fall – reinventing an entertainment institution. That’s because eight cast members have flown the coop as COVID has eased up. For today’s post, it’s 7 great traits that Michaels brings to his heritage show – especially in challenging times. It’s a primer for radio programmers everywhere. “Live from JacoBLOG….”
Read MoreWhy Your Station Needs A YouTube Strategy
More and more consumers – including radio fans – are streaming more video with each passing year. Radio stations and their parent companies need video strategies, and YouTube is a great place to start. Seth Resler provides a do-it-yourself YouTube guide that is shareable with your team. Remember, it’s not just how your radio station sounds, it also how it looks.
Read More“For What It’s Worth,” The Problem With Cover Versions
There are lots of topics that will stir up an audience and get them buzzing. For reference, check out one the most successful posts ever on JacoBLOG: the great Sheri Lynch (“The Bob & Sheri Show”) who wrote “The Top 5 Radio Topics That Get The Phones Ringing” back in early 2017. Since then, […]
Read MoreBlame It On The Radio
In our overcommunicated world, media get blamed for a lot of society’s woes. As a medium that’s been around for a century, radio is no stranger to the “Blame Game.” But as I discovered, the list of radio’s potential damaging effects on society is longer than you might think. If you’re in radio, you may have some ‘splainin’ to do.
Read MoreHow Radio Can “Intentionally Socialize” To Better Connect With Audiences (And Make Money)
As the mask come off and another round of booster shots land in arms, people are in the mood to gather together and PARTY!! A new web platform, Partiful, was designed for that express purpose. It’s a reminder the audience is ready to engage in “intentional socialization.” The question is whether radio is ready and equipped to step into this opportunity.
Read MoreWhat Is Driving News Fans Away From News?
In our fast-paced, media world, it is becoming more difficult to deliver the news without causing anxiety attacks and even depression among viewers and listeners. That FOMO – fear of missing out – also comes with feelings of rampant stress. New research reveals there may be answers for news and music stations striving to find that balance.
Read MoreEight Years Later And “Serial” Is Still Having Outsized Impact
The breakthrough podcast, “Serial,” made its debut eight years ago. At the time, it jumpstarted podcasting, setting a high bar for a quality show. Later that year, “Serial” snagged a coveted Peabody Award, the first podcast to earn one. But yesterday, “Serial” may have received its highest honor yet – validation of its impact. The guy at the center of this story, Adnan Syed, made headlines yesterday, another reminder of the influence this great podcast continues to have.
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