The Jacobs Media Blog

Facebook’s mysterious outage the other day was oddly reminiscent of that queasy feeling you get when your station is inexplicably knocked off the air. And Mark Zuckerberg’s explanation for this epic fail was oddly a lot like what we’ve all heard from station engineers during these crisis moments. There has to be some humor in here somewhere, so today’s blog post is a collective effort by radio veterans who have truly been there. Hold onto those alligator clips and enjoy.

The big media news in Chicagoland media this month is…NEWS. Specifically, local news, and who will own that all-important hill in the nation’s #3 market. The big story about the merger between WBEZ and the Chicago Sun Times should stimulate conversation and discussion among radio broadcasters about “out of the box” thinking, and how it can fundamentally change the state of radio.

Yesterday’s social media outage is an omen – for big companies like Facebook, as well as for the thousands of radio stations that market and sell via social. I hope you find today’s post a a conversation starter.

The rapid rise and even quicker downfall of investor darling, OZY Media, last week serves as a reminder that what you see is often not what you get. For investors and media buyers, broadcast radio may be as unglamorous than ever. But in a media environment increasingly built on hype and celebrity influencers, old school radio is looking pretty good right about now.

A not-so-new, not very cutting edge technology – QR codes – has made a COVIID comeback. From local restaurants to global pay platforms, QR codes are in vogue, thanks to our smartphones and the fact that everyone knows how they work. Could radio benefit from QR code promotions? You betcha.

Apple TV+’s new hit show – “Ted Lasso” – recently swept the Emmy Awards for comedies. But it is more than just a clever sitcom. The show has become “Must See TV” for coaches at all levels and in all sports. And that should include radio programmers, charged with leading their “teams” of personalities, while keeping management happy. Today’s blog post lists 10 lessons radio PDs can learn from the fictional soccer coach to become better managers – and better people.

Social media has been a mainstream marketing tool for nearly two decades, but smart organizations and brands are now channeling their social efforts through their superstar talent. The NFL’s Kansas City Chiefs is a shining example, using their amazing young quarterback, Patrick Mahomes, as their social centerpiece. Today’s post lists the 7 ways your station can use these NFL social hacks to grow your fan base. How many are you already doing? And which ones can you use to build a stronger social playbook?

Every radio station wants to do bigger than life promotions – the ones that people remember for years. That’s the focus of today’s blog post – capturing the vibe of the community with events and moments that will stand the test of time. I think this one passes the test.

  These days, CMOs – Chief Marketing Officers – have a lot to do with strategic marketing and positioning of their companies.  Most are tasked with major responsibilities when it comes to engagement, brand growth, demographics, and multimedia platforms. I get especially interested when I read about marketers charged with turning around or transforming traditional […]

What can radio learn from a newspaper? Plenty, when it’s the Washington Post, a multi-media machine that is now trailblazing with newsletters and on-demand audio content. From optimal length to personality inclusion, the Post’s research and best practices serve as a key indicator for radio programmers and sales managers, whether we’re talking commercial, public, or Christian radio.

In its record-setting 41st season, “Survivor” is America’s longest-running and most successful reality TV show. The show’s host, executive producer, and showrunner, Jeff Probst, is on a mission to keep it fun. That’s a great reminder to all of us in radio – whether you’re running a commercial, public, or Christian station. I will explain in today’s blog.

The JacoBLOG junk drawer contains wonderful bric-a-brac to amuse and amaze. Today, it’s stories about an aging weatherman who still has the right stuff, Spotify at 35,000 feet, a valuable piece of Manhattan media real estate, and a radio guy whose jersey should be retired. To rummage with me, click below.

The biggest tech companies on the planet are know as FAANG – Facebook, Apple, Amazon, Netflix, and Google And a new trend for corporations of this magnitude is to create totally new products branded with the well-known company name. And you won’t believe the projects and products these mega-companies are working on.

Innovation is in the air – and CES is still months away. I’m talking about public radio. At the PRPD Conference, happening virtually this week, that topic will permeate a conference subtitled “REdefining Public Radio.” There are appealing new journalistic outlets – daily podcasts and newsletters – captivating public radio fans. And that sends a message to all radio content creators about what may be “next.”

Some companies are attuned to the stress levels of their employees. Nike is one of them, giving its corporate staff a paid week off, and urging them to do NOTHING. Would that work in radio? Could it even happen? We may have a better and less dramatic solution, but it depends greatly on emotional intelligence, station culture, and reading the room. It’s the perfect topic for a Monday morning.