The Jacobs Media Blog

Key trends are beginning to emerge during the coronavirus – the programming, content, and media truly resonating with unsettled consumers, spending most of their time nervously being cooped up at home. We’ve done a lot of observing of the media landscape, as well as conducting three audience research studies since COVID-19 began. And there’s one unmistakable trend that’s emerged, and good news is that broadcast radio can share in its success.

As America and the world wrestle with COVID-19, radio programmers and talent are trying to assess the mood of the country – and our local markets. Research helps, but other indicators can be very revealing, too – like searches for GIFs, those animated images that are a window into our souls. Today’s post features some revealing data about what consumers are searching for to reflect their mindsets at the moment, and what it means to radio.

These last few weeks have been especially trying for all of us, both personally and professionally. So, on this Friday in the middle off a global pandemic, it’s a different blog post than usual, designed to bring a smile to your face. I’ve assembled some great examples of COVID-19 humor (yes, there is such a thing). So take my “Find the Funny Challenge.” If you don’t laugh at least once (a beaming grin counts) while reading this blog post, I’ll return your subscription fee. (That’s right, there is no subscription fee.)

We’ve tossed around the word “disruption” for years now. But as we’ve learned over just the past few weeks, we really didn’t know what it looked like. Now that radio operators have made the adjustment to broadcasting from home, it’s time to contemplate a new question: What will the radio industry look like when the company reopens? We tackle that challenge more in today’s post. Buckle up.

In every crisis and major event in America over the past few decades, a star is born – someone who bursts on the scene, becoming a household name. Thanks to the power of the Internet – and our collective boredom – anyone or anything can go viral (excuse the pun). In today’s post, we take a stab at predicting who might emerge as the big star from COVID-19. Could it be someone who’s on the radio?

The COVID-19 crisis permeates our lives – both personal and business. But as we’re learning by observing other brands and by studying our newly conducted research, radio has a strong business model. Instead, it’s often a matter of simple re-positioning. We have some great examples from the retail world to share in today’s post to help radio broadcasters seize the moment.

Even though we’re more isolated than ever before, the COVID-19 outbreak has brought us closer in many ways to those around us – our family, friends, staffs, and even our favorite bands. The music industry is under considerable pressure as the concert model is on hold until the virus subsides. Even then, it may be a while before consumers are comfortable attending shows. So, even some of the biggest stars are creating ways to bring us closer to them – a trend we’re calling the “new intimacy.”

A key factor in how COVID-19 will end for radio brands may be determined by their trust level with their audiences, advertisers, and communities. In today’s blog post, it’s a list of “The 10 Commandments of Brand Trust” during the pandemic. You may not love every one of these well-researched insights, but I promise you they are the building blocks of how to survive – and even thrive – during and after COVID-19. Have a safe weekend.

It may come as no surprise to you that radio broadcasters have leaned into the COVID-19 crisis, doing some of their best work in years. But after this moment passes and we return to some semblance of “normal,” how will radio’s new story be told? And how successful will broadcasters be in turning around industry perceptions that radio has lost its mojo? In today’s blog post, we look at a station that’s doing it right, from execution to post-marketing its great coronavirus crisis coverage.

During these truly challenging times when emotions are all over the map, marketers have a unique opportunity to move audiences on the power of a good need, a kind gesture, or a great story. In today’s guest post, veteran programmer Scott James tells the story of a radio promotion that became bigger than life when his audience took it and ran with it. It’s a great lesson about how many of us are feeling now, and we’d like audiences to think about our stations.

It’s been said “Necessity is the mother of invention.” And if that’s a truism, then we’ve all got a whole lot of inventing to do. Today’s blog post examines how some national brands – the ones under the most pressure – are pivoting their product lines, ad campaigns, and messaging to reflect a COVID-19 mindset. And how radio can make similar adjustments and innovation to stay fresh and relevant.

There’s nothing cushy or comfortable about being a GM in the heart of the rapidly swirling COVID-19 crisis. Every situation brings its unique challenges, and in today’s post, you’ll meet a tough but empathetic group of managers who are navigating this national tragedy in their local markets without the benefit of a road map. From managing their staffs to interfacing with corporate, investors, or board members, these half dozen leaders are finding ways to get it done. There’s a lot of inspiration in their stories.

The subscription economy – especially in the audio/video entertainment sector – has been going strong. Now, with economic storm clouds on the horizon, consumers may be scrutinizing those monthly charges on their credit card bills. What does that mean for broadcast radio, and what are the best ways stations can leverage this benefit that radio is FREE?

Necessity is the mother of invention. And these days, traditional staff meetings have become downright impossible in the midst of this global pandemic. Industrious managers are using video chat as their meet format – a way to connect with staff as well as boost morale. Today’s post looks at this burgeoning video chat phenomenon, and how radio is using it to bridge the gap with its growing legions of “work from home” staffers.

It’s funny how many of us used to crave “alone time.” But that was so “two weeks ago.” Today, we’re feeling a sense of isolation with others in our lives – family, friends, and co-workers. And that’s why an intimate, real-time, one-to-one medium like radio has the chance to thrive during the worst time of our lives. And we’ve got the data to prove it.

Everyone in radio is scrambling to stay on the air, while serving listeners, advertisers, and communities. But it’s also important to look down the road, and ponder what will the radio broadcasting industry be like, post COVID-19. It turns out new research being conducted around the world informs this conversation, allowing us to think about where the puck is heading – not where it is today. Here’s our view.

Personalities are the lifeblood of radio, often thought of as “family” by listeners. And thanks to technology, the radio industry now has unique, creative, and innovative opportunities to bring the audience “inside the tent.” Today’s post looks at the latest effort by comedian Jim Gaffigan who has virtually opened his home and family to fans at a time when listeners need comfort and a few laughs. There are important lessons here radio can learn at a pivotal time in their listeners’ lives.