The Jacobs Media Blog

In the past few years, we’ve seen some amazing uses of Classic Rock music in high profile TV campaigns. But what happens when one of the most prestigious luxury brands in the world turns to a Classic Rock anthem to shape and build its image this holiday season? Well, it’s magic.

Entrepreneur Elon Musk claims he works 120 hour weeks because “you can’t change the world” by doing any less. In radio, the term “4 and out the door” has become as outmoded as cart machines and turntables. As we head into another weekend, a look at just how hard we’re all working to change the world of broadcast radio.

In today’s overcrowded media environment, the subscriber model is perhaps the most challenging because it depends on consumers paying for content. A fledgling sports media brand, The Atheltic, is already making waves Can your radio statiion passs this 10 question quiz, a great litmus test for any media brand aiming to achieve long-term, sustainable success.

Consumers are paying more money each year for media content – Netflix, Spotify, SiriusXM and others – show up on our cable bills like clockwork. It’s increasingly becoming a subscriber economy. So, the question is, is there any way broadcast radio could participate?

A Cleveland radio station dropped the famous Christmas duet, “Baby, It’s Cold Outside” in light of the #MeToo movement. Was it the right call or a great stunt? In today’s post, guest blogger Seth Resler examines the tough calls programmers have to make when messages in music take on a whole new meaning.

A series of new research studies reveals the presence of women in advertisement move the needle in many different marketing campaigns. So, by extension, wouldn’t female personalities test similarly on spoken word and music radio stations? A look at this new data, as well as thoughts about women on the radio, is just a click away.

Consumer attention spans are shortening, making it even more imperative that content is to-the-point and “snackable.” But along the way, being “bite-sized” has become more important than making it great. In today’s blog post, we look at the challenge of attracting audiences in a sea of virtually infinite content and distribution choices.

As we head into the holiday season, new research indicates Americans may be more lonely than ever. And that’s where radio often comes to the rescue. An oft-cited reason for enjoying broadcast radio is companionship – an important emotional asset especially at this time of the year.

The future presents a world of unknowns and opportunities. And every company – as witnessed by GM this week – has to face an uncertain tomorrow with the coming of robots, 5G, and Artificial Intelligence. Radio’s not immune, of course, and today’s blog post provides solutions and even insights into what’s around the corner for Marconi’s medium.

Radio broadcasters have struggled to make the case for formats that appeal to 50+ audiences. Will the new Breeze format (better known as Soft AC) be a demographic game changer?

While most of us were sitting down for a festive Thanksgiving meal and football this past weekend, many marketers were pulling out their hair, watching their online ad campaigns crash and burn. That’s because Facebook’s “Black Friday” meltdown caused untold grief and angst in thte advertising community. It’s more proof that out of control algorithms signal an opportunity for traditional media companies that believe in localism and customer service – like radio broadcasters.

Do job titles matter? To young people trying to decide about the types of companies they want to work for, creative job titles are rising in popularity. Here’s what they could mean to a traditional industry like broadcast radio.

At the National Radio Hall of Faame ceremony last week, the acceptance speeches were like mini-TED Talks about how to make it in radio. The theme was all about how so many had been mentored, guided, and counseled during the early days of their careers. And in the process, it was a reminder about the value of paying it forward for all of us who have enjoyed success in the radio broadcasting business.

These days, radio conversations are increasingly about data – how to use it, deploy it, and monetize it. And the car companies are traveling down the same highway. How data scientists use artificial intelligence – or AI – to understand their consumers and predict their behavior is taking on growing importance. Today’s post looks at radio station data – and how it can be wisely put to work for programming, sales, and ownership.

Back in the day, listeners slapped bumerstickers on their cars to proudly display their loyalty to their favorite radio station. Today’s young people have a different way of shwoing their passion for their preferred brands – laptop stickers. What does it take for today’s consumers to show their affinity to the brands they love?

As I travel around the country talking podccasting, the mosst frequently asked question is: What’s the ideal length for a podcast? Today’s post answers that question once and for all. Sort of.

Radio has always been a prime marketing tool for selling cars, but in recent years, dealers and automakers have been shifting budgets to digital media. Now the pendulum is swinging back to legacy media – including radio. Reach is clearly a reason why radio is a strong branding tool, but the medium can provide much, much more.