The Jacobs Media Blog

As it does seemingly every year, it all comes down to Q4. And this year, the pressure’s even higher to optimize revenue during the Worst. Year. Ever. We have a brand new study designed to help radio broadcasters navigate the holiday headwinds. And today’s post lays out the basic terms and conditions that many of our sales department will be facing these next three months. Bundle up.

Cliché or not, we continue to navigate “unchartered waters” in 2020 – in radio and in our personal lives. Yesterday at the Radio Show, marketer and futurist Rishad Tobaccowala made the case for “staying human in the age of data.” And that’s why we conducted a special Zoom focus group for this conference which we’ll unveil later today. Today’s post offers insights about tapping into the audience’s “emotional operating system,” so essential to success and survival in this crazy year.

There may be a new social media trend bubbling under – Classic Rock songs enjoying a “second life” thanks to being the soundtracks in TikTok lip-sync videos. But is this phenomenon being driven by the medium or platform – TikTok – or is it the power of music that’s stood the test of time? (Hey, it’s better than another post about COVID.)

We’re heading for a life-changing moment in the next several weeks as 2020 winds down. It’s a time when we’ll be tasked with a profound decision: Will we stick with our game plans or will be go down the path of re-evaluating everything? Over the next several days, we’re rolling out some tools that might be of value to you – both quantitative and qualitative. We make better decisions when we have information. And a lot of us have some deciding to do. We hope this helps.

Every year on National Radio Day, industry vets publish their lists (some of them very long) of all the call letters they’ve served during their careers. But what about that small, elite group of people who have spent years, even decades, all with the same station in the same market broadcasting to the same fans. They’re the Derek Jeters and Magic Johnsons of radio, and today, we talk to a guy who just celebrated 25 years with the same station – in his hometown.

One of Steve Jobs’ greatest accomplishments was turning Apple around when he returned to the company in the late ’90s. One of his secrets to success? “The 30% Rule” – an exercise that while painful, can provide the focus an organization needs in order to be competitive and effective during the toughest of times. Like now.

What impact has COVID had on the ways in which consumers listen to broadcast radio stations. Our about-to-be released Public Radio Techsurvey is loaded with signs that have implications on everyone working in radio today. Thanks to COVID, trends that were already in place are accelerating. And the data is breathtaking.

Virtual meeting technology is more than just for staff get-togethers and family reunions. Entire conferences are now being presented virtually. So, what are they like and what’s been the reaction from event organizers? Today’s post features executives from commercial, public, and Christian music radio, all of whom recently produced virtual conferences. There are pros, cons, and other great nuggets of information in today’s blog post.

What will post-pandemic life be like? There is a lot we DON’T know, but one thing is for sure: virtual conferences will still be a significant part of our personal and professional lives. For radio, it’s time to start thinking about platforms like Zoom as opportunities to connect and entertain audiences, advertisers, and communities. There’s a lot to look forward to.

There’s a lot on the line for Q4 in this cataclysmic year. That’s especially the case when it comes to the new technology that might end up underneath our trees (or bushes) in December. Recently, three brand new tech products and platforms were debuted. And while they’re all very different from one another, their marketing strategies have one key element in common – their soundtracks are cut from the same musical cloth.

You no doubt read the headline a couple weeks back: “Radio Talent Fired Over Degrading Tweet.” This story has played out again and again over the years. But this time around, sports commentator took the stand that perhaps social media just isn’t worth the time. And in response, it’s radio’s social media maven, Lori Lewis, with clear-eyed thoughts about the role of platforms like Twitter, especially in times like these.

While radio sales teams are hustling for every available radio dollar, Facebook is launching a different approach: limiting the number of ads clients can run concurrently. That’s because their data shows that too many ads hurts a campaign’s effectiveness. Facebook’s ad tech is a powerful weapon, and their new philosophy is an eye-opener that should stimulate conversations in radio sales circles.

Netflix has rapidly become one of those companies that marketers and consultants will be writing about and touting for years. But CEO Reed Hastings attributes much of its success to a system he calls “farming for dissent.” It’s a fascinating contrarian protocol that any company could put into motion in order to bring out great ideas, while leaving the non-starters on the drawing board. And 2020 may be the smartest time ever to make it happen.

Radio shows are like families. And that means they can be dysfunctional. How can managers recognize the danger signs, and take the best actions to save their shows – and perhaps the talent who are in need of help? Focusing on the breakup of a TV show you know too well, today’s post looks at that ensemble dynamic, what can go wrong, and how to address toxic situations.

Since the beginning, NPR and public radio have excelled at podcasts. And even in 2020, on-demand audio is generating strong revenue. That’s the good news. The challenge is that everyone’s at the podcast trough – tech companies, broadcasters, boutique brands – seeking a bigger piece of the pie. Today’s blog post looks at the reality that it takes as much effort and creativity to develop successful monetization models as it does to create great content – whether you’re in public or commercial radio.

In the U.S., public radio content – both broadcast and podcast – is stellar. But making money in this environment is a challenge. Today’s post looks at why 2020 revenue models – for both commercial and public radio – need scrutiny and creativity. As we’ve learned, it takes just as much innovation to generate revenue as it does to make great content.

Many stations are going into the fall perplexed about promotions and contests. With concerts and sporting events on hold, what resonates with audiences of all ages and formats? The answer may be sitting on your lap, begging for food, or chewing your slippers. New stats on pet adoptions – especially dogs – are off the charts. And that makes pet promotions this season’s low-hanging fruit.

I know what you’re thinking…if you hear the phrase “new normal” one more time…. So, I won’t say it, but I will tell you today’s post is all about helping all of us working in radio regain some much-needed equilibrium – and revenue – as we head into the fourth quarter of the Worst.Year.Ever. It’s going to require creativity, imagination, a little spunk, and some data to help guide us through this dumpster fire of a year. We’ve got some ideas about how to make that happen, and we share them in today’s blog post.

During COVID, many of our conversations have changed. In radio circles, the “connected car” was a hot topic for many years. Our DASH Conferences brought radio and automotive people together to discuss partnerships and synergies. It’s a different world today, but there is still automotive innovation – if you know where to look for it.

The power of the radio host is in the cross hairs this morning in American radio. On the one hand, testimonials and live reads from personalities are experiencing a Renaissance. On the other, those folks who make their living behind a mic have had a bad year that may get worse before it gets better. Is radio in the U.S. at cross-purposes with itself – or is this all part of the plan?