The Jacobs Media Blog

Disruption has become a key word in explaining how companies and brands are being impacted by the tsunami of technology. Radio knows this story well, and as broadcasters grapple with “What’s next?” there’s a marketer with a simple question that can unlock these mysteries and help brands – and entire industries – get back on track. He passed away last week, but his books, philosophies, and humor live on.

In this blog, we often talk about the challenges being faced by FM radio in the Digital Revolution. But what about AM radio? Hundreds of broadcasters still own AM stations, despite the technical and financial barriers. And now, AM radio is the prominently featured star in a new car ad. No, it’s not for Tesla, but it is a fascinating showcase for a medium that’s under fire.

Many traditional businesses are struggling to make the transition to digital, including legacy institutions like Goldman Sachs. And a mobile app is now their top priority. Today’s blog post underscores the important of mobile, not just to check off the box, but by creating a seamless experience on consumers’ smartphones. For Goldman, it’s now priority #1. For broadcast radio, it should be, too.

If you’ve been watching those exciting NFL Playoff games these past few weeks, you’re also getting treated to a preview of the types of ads we’ll likely be seeing in the upcoming Super Bowl. It wasn’t that long ago when automakers were hawking their cylinders, horsepower, braking systems, torque, and luggage capacity.  These days, you […]

At CES, Artificial Intelligence – or AI – was everywhere, despite being difficult to see or touch. But it’s now being embedded in many gadgets and technologies. AI is now being utilized at record labels, and in other sectors of the media and entertainment industry. How will AI impact broadcast radio, especially in light of the recent moves to step up how technology can bring efficiencies to a traditional business?

What is a company – or an industry – truly worth in today’s market? New data shows that Tesla now has more market value than G.M. and Ford – combined. For today’s post, I opened up the spreadsheet and ran a few numbers of my own. How’s the broadcast radio industry doing, in comparison with some of the biggest media and tech brands? You may be surprised to learn where it stacks up (or maybe you won’t).

The NFL is engaged in a smart new marketing strategy that has lessons for radio companies willing to consider a contrarian approach to engaging audiences – using emerging social media platforms to attract young people to their sport. At a panel last week at CES, their CMO, Tim Ellis, laid out his master plan using the league’s talent pool – its players – as ambassadors to reach America’s youth. For the NFL, it’s not just a good idea – it’s an imperative. Et tu, radio?

CES 2020 is in the books. After a week of running around Las Vegas – with 180,000 of our “best friends” – we’re back with a preview of the event and what this year’s trends mean to the radio broadcasting industry. More than 60 radio execs joined us this year to witness for themselves the grandeur, energy, and fun that is CES. We’ve pulled some of our best photos from the event, along with our “take” on this event’s out-sized impact on our world, our culture, and our industry.

There’s a whole lot of whining going on about radio commercials – and for good reason. They are too many of them, and very few are creative, engaging, or persuasive. But there’s hope. Psychologists are proving that radio has the most potent weapon in all of advertising. Deployed well, priced aggressively, and not overused, it could be a difference maker for an industry in dire need of a persuasive, attributive sales story. The answer is a click away.

Who’s your target audience? That’s the question every radio programmer grapples with. But today, the challenges to creating great content and building powerful brands has become more complex. That’s an issue Facebook has been grappling with as their audience shifts. And their choice for a new spokesperson for a first-ever Super Bowl campaign will convince you they are very off-target or smarter and savvier than many of us may think.

Media personalities often live conflicted lives – loved and adored, but also insecure and guarded. Over the past year, Jeopardy’s iconic host, Alex Trebek, has undergone a life-shattering experience – a stage 4 pancreatic cancer diagnosis and an unprecedented outpouring of emotion from his fans. There are lessons here for media personalities, including those behind the mic on the radio. It’s about appreciating what you have, something we can all afford to experience.

While the rest of the world is back at their desks on the first true work day of the new year, we’re off to CES in Las Vegas, hanging out with 180,000 of our best friends from around the world. For a fast-moving preview, the Consumer Technology Association’s CEO, Gary Shapiro, gives us a look of coming attractions for the planet’s biggest technology show. We’ll be heading up several tours at CES of radio broadcast execs once again this year, and we’re excited to see the future. Join us.