The Jacobs Media Blog

Did you see Dr. Fauci’s study? That was the question that echoed around the web last week. As the video conferencing phenomenon sweeps the country, brands are taking advantage of this new trend – including radio. Here’s a look at how Zoom culture is making us think twice about our “backgrounds” and the image they project. What does your Zoom “background” say about you?

The COVID-19 outbreak has disrupted our lives, as well as the media usage pecking order. Cable TV news channels are enjoying record ratings, as are public radio stations in the U.S. Today’s blog post takes a look behind the covers at why this listening shift is taking place, while we await new research findings about the pandemic, conducted by Jacobs Media. Why public radio – and why now?

One of the fascinating outgrowths of the COVID-19 crisis is this notion that with all this time on our hands, regular folks would take the opportunity to learn an entirely new craft, ability, or skill. The phrase, “Skill Up In Your Down Time” may not be as popular as “In these uncertain times,” but a […]

COVID-19 is having a sweeping change on lifestyles. One of the personas emerging is the rise of “comfort seekers” – people who are leaning into nostalgia, especially in the media they consume. Whether it’s the food they eat, the TV they watch, or the radio and music they listen to, habits are changing. Grab a Pop Tart and let’s look at this nostalgia spike.

What has been the biggest influencer in broadcast radio’s shift to digital content creation and revenue generation? While the trends have been clear over many years, we are seeing an acceleration, thanks to COVID-19, and the changes this sweeping pandemic have ushered in. Today’s blog post looks at newly released Nielsen data and other key research that make the case that we’re not in Beltsville anymore.

Throughout the course of the COVID-19 crisis, much of the talk in radio circles has revolved around how programmers and on-air talent have had to adjust to the changing conditions the industry is enduring.    But perhaps the biggest wave of change is occurring on the sales side. It started with the rash of cancellations […]

Many radio stations have outdone themselves these past several weeks. COVID-19 coverage – often in the form of promotions that capture this odd communal moment in time – has been impressive in all sized markets. But radio often makes one critical omission even when it’s performing at its best. And today’s blog post is a plea to ensure it doesn’t happen this time around when there’s so much on the line for radio broadcasters.

How will radio stations measure their success during these pressure-filled times? Will it come down to how well they performed in the ratings during these weeks and months of stay-at-home? Or will there be other yardsticks that have nothing to do with TSL, cume, and PUMM? How broadcast radio brands handle the challenges posed by COVID-19 and societal shifts is at the heart of today’s blog post.

Before the pandemic, podcasting was clearly on a roll. But like every other media category, podcast will feel the effects of changing commuting patterns, social distancing, and other lifestyle and cultural changes. How will podcasting be affected? We asked some of the brightest minds in the medium to share their thoughts, and the result is a fascinating look at podcasting’s post-coronavirus future.

There’s nothing like a good crisis to create introspection and self-analysis. And in today’s blog post, Paul Jacobs puts his sales hat on to address radio’s current revenue deficits. In a step-by-step look at broadcast radio’s challenges, he comes up with thought-provoking ideas to jumpstart the sales process. And turn those lemons into lemonade. Drink up.

The growth of the Zoom platform is less about the rise of video chat, and much more about the desire for intimacy and companionship. From musical artists to the NFL Draft, fans are getting a raw, unrehearsed, up close look at their favorite celebs – despite the feelings of isolation we have in the COVID-19 era. How can radio get into the game? Actually, it’s easier and less expensive than you think.

The COVID-19 crisis is having a major impact on our lives, but also on our behaviors. Data from telecom companies is showing people are talking on their phones again, even engaging in conversation with telemarketers. For radio, making local audience connections has always been one of the medium’s special strengths. Now that so many are isolated, lonely, and bored, opening up those phone lines might be a great avenue for engaging your beleaguered listeners.