A few weeks ago, we put together a couple of posts that talked about the power of video for radio, featuring data about the importance of videos as well as a profile on Fort Wayne’s Phil Becker whose Hot 107.9 is doing some pretty innovative things with visual and social tools. At the same time, […]

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A big story in both radio and automotive circles this week surrounds GM’s announcement that they’re equipping more than 30 vehicles in their 2015 lineup with 4G LTE connectivity. This is the biggest OEM commitment to WiFi and includes entry level vehicles like the Chevy Malibu. Of course, GM vehicles were the first to be “connected” with the […]

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Lori Lewis is frequently asked about how stations can best use social media assets like Twitter and Instagram.  Today, Lori has a shining example of Twitter done right that is still playing out in real-time…on a public radio station. – FJ Understanding what it takes to build and sustain an active social fan base is critical as […]

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Most programmers have experience and solid instincts. But the great programmers have both of those, along with a wealth of data they can use to guide their thinking and their strategies. CNN’s obsession with Malaysian Airlines Flight 370 has been ridiculed by many in the serious world of journalism, as well as by pundits throughout the […]

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Last month, I had the pleasure of presenting Techsurvey10 to an enthusiastic crowd at the Worldwide Radio Summit in Los Angeles.  One of the best features of this massive study of more than 37,000 respondents is the format distinctions that help programmers better understand their discreet audiences. Later in the afternoon, RCS/Media Monitor CEO Philippe Generali […]

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Bill Jacobs has done his share of auditorium test sorts, clock designs, and music architectural projects over the past two decades at Jacobs Media.  Today, he reflects on new consumer data that just might cause you to think a little differently about how music is tested, scheduled, and presented. – FJ Back in the day, “Turn on, […]

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For the last several years, you’ve heard us talk (OK, sometimes rant) about why the broadcasting and consumer electronics industries never seem to be on the same page, and often appear to be in conflict.  Radio is consumer electronics, but that’s often been forgotten in the ongoing back-and-forth between these two mega categories. Several years […]

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At the conclusion of our inaugural DASH Conference last October, we got together with our partners, Radio Ink and Valerie Shuman, to assess what was accomplished.  We knew that the event was successful – we had close to 300 leaders from broadcasting, automotive (OEMs and Tier Ones), advertising agencies, car dealerships, and other interested sectors together […]

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As our media world continues to rock and roll, it is amazing to hear how some analysts evaluate the effectiveness of marketing in these new spaces. ESPN jumps headlong into Twitter, along with the rest of the sports world, because the data – statistical and anecdotal – continue to support its effectiveness. Maybe that’s why […]

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The NHL playoffs continue – at least for some teams.  My Red Wings were knocked out in the first round, but the incredible art on ice continues.  Today, Jacobs Media consultant and talent coach, Mike Stern, takes a look at one of the more unique and talented hockey craftsman – behind the mic. – FJ […]

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The NHL playoffs continue – at least for some teams.  My Red Wings were knocked out in the first round, but the incredible art on ice continues.  Today, Jacobs Media consultant and talent coach, Mike Stern, takes a look at one of the more unique and talented hockey craftsman – behind the mic. – FJ […]

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It’s getting so my least favorite phrase pertaining to radio programming has become “baby steps.”  Oftentimes PDs use it as a way to describe progress – in coaching air talent, transitioning a station, or getting through to a tough-to-manage employee. While we’re at it, maybe we should add “tweaks” to the list, too.  That one […]

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The signs are everywhere.  Social media plays an increasingly important role in the lives of radio’s listeners, but the art of creating content for these platforms often turns out to be elusive, misunderstood, oversimplified, neglected, or abused. And it’s not just radio that often struggles to find its voice with social media.  In other industries, […]

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If you’re still working in radio in 2014 and you’ve been in the business for a decade or more, give yourself a round of applause.  You’ve survived, you’re still slugging it out, and you obviously believe in the efficacy of the medium and how it serves its various constituencies. But it’s never easy.  Because in […]

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As our attention spans shrivel, the way in which ideas, concepts, and new initiatives are presented couldn’t be under more pressure and scrutiny.  Smart communicators work every day on their “elevator pitch,” finding ways to hone, abbreviate, and edit their presentations. But it’s not just about keeping it short – otherwise anything under five minutes […]

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Paul Jacobs is on a roll.  Yesterday’s post about the sweeping change addressed some impressive radio initiatives in the face of the disruption that is impacting the media business.  In today’s follow-up, Paul continues his discourse about the “climate change” that is occurring down the hall in the radio sales sector of most stations and […]

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As the media business undergoes tumultuous change, it is often too convenient to conclude that radio is lagging behind.  We do our best on this blog to highlight occasions when the industry drops the ball or is slow to adapt.  But change is in the air – if you look for it.  Often it is […]

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As we navigate through these disruptively fascinating times, there’s always that question about what’s driving the change – the hardware or the software. Apple has always had its finger precisely on that pulse, and a new breakthrough ad for iPhone (yes, amazing how they continue to market their biggest successes) ends the debate. It’s about […]

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In conversations about media mix strategies in the world of advertising, there are more opinions floating around than there are so-called experts giving them. Should marketing dollars shift totally to digital?  Can you achieve reach, frequency, and engagement goals by just going with mobile, social, and the web?  Or is there still a need for […]

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In yesterday’s post, we talked about the importance of visuals in social media. So today, we’re going to focus on their value on the radio.  One of the best stories about video innovation in radio isn’t happening in New York, L.A., or Dallas.  It’s been a part of the Oasis cluster in Fort Wayne for […]

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