The Jacobs Media Blog

Today’s post follows up on two recent stories JacoBLOG covered – the perils of launching a new company logo and the “OK boomer” phenomenon. We’ve got some great, funny, and cringe-worthy responses to both of these posts. And of course, you always have the opportunity to throw in your 2-cents.

Some are calling this phase of podcasting the “Second Wild West.” And while there are now nearly 800,000 podcasts in existence, two new categories are getting the attention of producers everywhere. Including radio. Today’s blog post takes a deep dive into “branded” and “companion,” perhaps the next big wave.

Algorithms are getting smarter with each passing year. Or are they? If your experience with recommendation software leaves something to be desired, you’re not alone. There was a day when a recommendation from a savvy DJ and smart radio station was dependable and helpful. In this over-techified environment, could humans (that is, DJs) make a bold comeback?

In today’s news cycle, it seems like there’s a crisis brewing several times a day. That not only puts pressure on radio news departments, but on all stations trying to keep their audiences informed. A new study shed light on crisis coverage – whether it’s self-inflicted or something that happens in the market – or in the world. How does your station match up?

The holiday season is rapidly approaching – and the clock is ticking. There are 6 fewer shopping days before Christmas, putting pressure on retailers, marketers, and shoppers. Creating an emotional connection with consumers is something creatives are especially good at. The creative juices are flowing, and we may already have the “Best of Show” TV spot to inspire you for the holiday season.

A major trend in data is storytelling – using numbers to help us visualize trends, tastes, and where pop culture is moving. A new must-see video hit my Facebook page the other day – an amazing story of music and FM radio over the past 50 years. You may know your music history, but seeing it in this high-flying, visually compelling video provides a lot to talk and think about as the worlds of “radio and records” continue to shake, rattle, and roll.

For radio personality shows, there’s always pressure to write that next great joke or better yet, develop that benchmark bit that can create listening “occasions.” So, today’s blog post is especially helpful, zooming in on the entertainers with the biggest challenge – standup comedians. Here are insights from some very creative people to walk out on stages all by themselves. Hope it gives you a laugh or two – and some insights.

You remember the old saying, “In God we trust.  All others must bring data.” These days, it’s more true than ever. But in the fire hose of new media and technology, how can broadcast radio keep up with the change – and the opportunity? Today’s blog looks at the road ahead, the questions many of your are asking, and a pathway toward figuring it out. It’s about improving your AI – your Audience Intelligence.

If something big happens at a less-than-convenient hour on a weekend evening, is your station’s social media team ready? That was a test that 14 national brands faced during a recent episode of “Saturday Night Live.” How did these brands perform in this social media experiment? And how would your radio station fare?

That exciting World Series win by the Washington Nationals (sorry, Houston) makes the case for the value of team chemistry. Any organization can learn about the power of diversity – in the National’s case, their mix of seasoned veterans and talented young players. And it’s much the same in radio stations. Diverse staffs that blend age, gender, ethnicity, and backgrounds are often the difference-makers for stations that play a long game to sustained success.

Logos have existed for thousands of years, a staple of branding. But when it comes to designing them, well the devil is often in the details. If you haven’t seen it, the Paris Olympics just released their bold new 2024 logo – it’s bold, daring, and heavy in symbolism. And of course, it was met with controversy, as well as wild differences of opinion by expert designers. That’s a reminder of just how arduous a task it is to design – or redesign – a station logo.

While many of us have been focused on quid pro quo, wildfires, and the World Series, a new campaign has gone viral, especially on social media. “OK boomer” is more than an Internet meme or an online joke. It symbolizes a growing generational divide that should be very familiar, especially to those of us in broadcast radio. Today’s blog post looks at this phenomenon from both sides of the spectrum.

Of all the radio formats, the one that is most artist-centric is Classic Rock. And one of America’s most memorable National Monuments has become a granite symbol of the music and what it means to millions of fans all over the world. Who’s on YOUR Mt. Rushmore?

The end of the year is an especially challenging and often tough time in radio. Station cutbacks make the going tough for many on-air personalities. The radio industry has become like so many other businesses, the story of the “have’s” and the “have not’s.” Today’s blog post looks at life in the air studio from both sides of the spectrum – multi-millionaires in major markets living the dream, as well as small town jocks who find themselves looking for work after years of employment. There are lessons here for all of us in radio.

So much of pop culture is driven by what’s hot – and what’s not. Whether it’s celebrities, the royal family, star athletes, or rock bands, some enjoy positive perceptions while others often find themselves in the media dog house. Today’s post – “How Did Radio Become The Nickelback Of Media?” – looks at the difference between perception and reality, and why that matters so much to the future of broadcast radio. I hope you’ll read it it – and respond to it.