The Jacobs Media Blog

In the U.S., post-pandemic activity is moving quickly, especially the trend for consumers to get out of the house – and into their cars. New research from two credible sources point “windshield media” as the big winners as habits shift. That means outdoor and radio. Today’s blog has the data and the expert analysis that explains this phenomenon.

You can learn a lot about a person when you learn their all-time favorite decade for music. But these days, the traditional patterns are unpredictable, especially when you’re looking at younger generations. Their tastes are all over the music map, and that has implications for radio programmers trying to stay relevant. Today’s blog post has music research you haven’t seen before that’s an eye-opener. It should be water-cooler talk for radio this week.

Radio lost an icon yesterday. The news of TV actor Frank Bonner’s passing conjured up cringe-worthy thoughts of WKRP in Cincinnati’s top (and only) sales rep, the one and only Herb Tarlek. Aside from making us laugh at our radio selves, Herb Tarlek had more impact on the industry than you may think.

The demands on all of us in radio to be more creative are never-ending. Yet, more people are wearing “more hats” than ever before. Is multi-tasking an innovative depressant or a stimulus? I’ve got some research to share and a list of ideas about generating more creativity. Stop multi-tasking for a second and give it a read.

Generating word-of-mouth is the Holy Grail of marketing. But new research by a company that specializes in “buzz marketing” shows that radio has a built-in advantage that just needs to be nurtured and harnessed. Today’s post drills down into who can do it and how it’s done. And who knows – maybe it will generate a little buzz of its own.

One of the unanticipated impact of COVID is the rate at which consumers embraced technology in order to stay in touch with family, friends, and co-workers. This was especially true for Baby Boomers, many of whom advanced their skills, embracing mobile, smart speakers, virtual meetings, and other technology. Of course, that has an impact on the way they listen to their favorite radio stations – the subject of today’s blog post.

The competition is fierce among the audio streaming giants. Spotify has a huge lead, but there’s no quit in Apple, Amazon, or SiriusXM. They’re innovating – trying to develop features that differentiate, while attracting new subscribers. That’s why Amazon Music’s newest innovation – called DJ Mode – is worthy of your attention. For radio people, it will strike a familiar chord.

Generation X is celebrating a big birthday this year, as its members begin to turn the Big 5-0. We 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 blog post puts generational spending in perspective. It will make you reach for your Prevagen or maybe your Tums.

There is much wisdom to be gained from every member of the organization – from the CEO to station interns. In the world of concerts, it’s the road crew – the roadies – who witness it all, soaking up those amazing experiences. In today’s guest post, Jacobs Media consultant, Mike Stern, gives us some great life lessons from roadies that can help your program director become a better manager. So, roll those cases, lift those amps, and click below to read Mike’s backstage observations.

Is there any hope for bookstores like Barnes & Noble in an industry now dominated by e-readers and e-commerce? Britisher James Daunt believes he has a plan for effectively countering Amazon, allowing his shops to thrive. The question is whether his radical tactics and strategies could be effective in radio’s ongoing battles against big digital audio competitors.

Marketing dollars are at a premium for most radio stations this year. OK, maybe they’re non-existent. That’s why a station’s most powerful weapon is its email database. Today’s blog post is a chemical breakdown of email marketing that even Bill Nye would be proud of. It combines smart science with experience to help any station become proficient. Take good notes.

As we start a new week in what looks to be a fascinating summer, more and more radio listeners are attending their first concert, sporting event, or radio station promotion in more than one year. There will be much joy to go around, and fans will want to remember these moments with merch that shows they were THERE. And that spells opportunity for stations and shows with loyal followings. I’ve provided some great resources. Hopefully, you’ll lean into the moment.

The media universe is expanding with new players continuing to enter the scene. To help us visualize this changing landscape, there’s a new map of the media universe that provides eye-opening perspective on how all the platforms fit together and compare in size. Ready to be blown away? I promise It will give you a lot to think about – and talk about – especially as it relates to the radio industry and where its fits into the scheme of things.

2020 was a tough year on thousands of corporations and businesses. And now a new study from the Havas Group reveals three of every four brands could disappear tomorrow. So, how does your brand ensure it falls in the other 25% – the brands that matter? Fortunately, the research identifies a pathway to success – the topic of today’s blog.

One of radio’s core strengths is that it’s local. But now big tech brands are vying for a piece of the hometown action. How will radio broadcasters respond to new content challengers that invade their local domains?

Coming off a very different Memorial Day Weekend from last year, there’s little doubt we’re at a new inflection point – in our lives and in our careers. For radio broadcasters, it could be the moment in time when entire industries will be redefined in what we hope will be a sustainable post-COVID era. Whether you’re in commercial, public, or Christian radio, the remainder of 2021 will be telling. Today’s blog provides thoughts about the way back, as radio crawls from the wreckage of the pandemic to fight another day.

After 14 months of lockdowns, WFH, and Zoom calls, not all of us are ready to have face-to-face conversations again – even those of you behind the mic. Our Mike Stern takes over the keyboard to offer up great tips about how to have meaningful conversations – on and off the air – in a post-COVID world.

The biggest generation of car buyers in America? Millennials. And the automakers are rapidly shifting their marketing strategies to digital in order to better connect with these young consumers. The carmakers’ long-time partners in the dashboard – broadcast radio – should be thinking along the same lines.

Don’t look now, but there’s a new radio station coming to a satellite radio network near you. TikTok Radio is SiriusXM’s newest innovation, and the strategy behind it should be on every radio broadcaster’s radar screen. We take a look under the hood in today’s blog post.

Matty Siegel’s blow-up (and make-up) last week are reminders of how fragile an on-air career can be. But what if there was a way for air personalities to get a notification – before they utter what could be career-ending words. In the social media, a new trend is heading off offensive moments using Artificial Intelligence to predict those offensive moments. But could it work in radio?