The Jacobs Media Blog

In part 2 of “Is Public Radio A Victim Of Its Own Org Chart?” we take a deeper dive into how “brilliant at the basics” programming and on-air marketing could help turn around a particularly challenging year.

Sometimes the organizational chart at a company says more about how it operates than the actual people who fill those job titles. In general, radio has been slow to adapt to audience and industry changes when it comes to how most stations are structured. In another year when many radio stations are facing difficult challenges, who reports to whom and who’s in charge of what can be critical factors in determining ultimate success…or failure. Just ask someone you know who’s in public radio.

One of the more amazing COVID-era trends is the growing popularity of toys and games among adults who might be just a touch age-phobic. No matter, this segment continues to expand among so-called “kidults” – those with an aversion to growing old. This trend has implications for media brands, especially those with an emphasis on entertainment – like radio.

These days, you often hear there’s not a lot of interest in new music. And to complicate matters, there’s no central discovery tool where consumers go to find out about new releases they might have interest in. Today’s post is about one of the most talented musical artists of our time who took matters into his own hands last week. He launched his own stealth promotion for his no album. His promotion was so unconventional, it worked…like a charm.

The last few weeks have been jam-packed with “BREAKING NEWS” stories, forcing news organizations to step up their coverage and resources. But in an increasingly cluttered environment where memes may be more visible to more consumers than headlines, how can radio news stations stand out amidst the clutter? Fortunately, President Biden’s decision on Sunday provides us with a fascinating look at who did what – and why.

It’s no longer enough for media brands to provide good content. It is now about providing a great experience. And even the best brands are upping their games, including an incredible new mall experience from Netflix. For radio, it’s a reminder the bored intern and a prize wheel at local festivals and events just doesn’t cut it. How is your brand’s experience?

AI may be taking over the world, but some brands are pushing back. And they’re trying to make the human touch a defining difference of how they do business. Is there a “there there” for radio?

Did you see the announcement yesterday that Skyview Networks signed a YouTube star to host a radio show that will be called “Classic Rock U?” It’s hosted by a guy you probably haven’t heard of from a small town in Idaho. I caught up with him recently, and got the chance to interview him for this blog. He is nothing short of remarkable, and I predict, so will this show be.

“Is rock dead?” That’s a question radio and label execs as well as music critics have been debating for years. And how do they explain the classic rock phenomenon, a sub-genre of rock that has kept the music alive and popular? In today’s JacoBLOG, we not only let the data do the talking, but we turn over the conversation to analysts who have made it their mission to better understand music’s impact on pop culture – and on US. Get ready to nerd out.

Since Donald Trump took that fateful ride down that escalator in Trump Tower back in 2015, the news cycle in this country has been greatly altered. “Breaking news” is persistent, forcing news organizations to redefine their coverage parameters. And that’s true whether we’re talking commercial, public, Christian, music, or spoken word radio. What is the audience telling us about broadcast radio’s “job to be done” in this rapidly changing environment?

Producing and executing a successful personality show has only gotten more challenging over the years. While there are amazing prep tools – including AI – it still comes down to making the right choices on topics that connect with your station’s target audience. Fortunately, there’s research for that, guides to ensure you’re talking about the most relatable topics for your audience. Let’s go to the numbers.

As the radio business in the U.S. is roiled by competition and changing times, the industry’s core assets – its air talent – continue to feel the pressure. Every year, Jacobs Media in collaboration with Morning Show Boot Camp conduct the AQ survey, a look inside the hearts and minds of radio’s VIPs – its talent. Here’s the story this year and where we’ll need your help.

There’s no shortage of angry, frustrated people in the world – especially on social media. And when you or your station is attacked, the easy response is the swift response. But when the attacker is the CEO of one of the world’s most successful companies, it may require a different response that’s usually more effective, especially when the bully in question is none other than Elon Musk. How do you and/or your station respond when the going gets tough and those trolls come out of the woodwork?

We are all hoping for a strong second half for local radio this year. Of course, hope is not a strategy. But innovation is. And today’s blog focuses on what one broadcast company known for its small market portfolio has been strategically doing to create a major impact in the market they serve. Could your company, cluster, or station pull off a similar feat? Let’s find out.