How many stations have become SO consistent in their approach that there’s no real reason to listen today? If you listened today, you can bet that tomorrow’s going to pretty much sound the same. As Seth Godin reminds us in "Purple Cow," being very good is the quickest path to being ignored by your audience. Sad to say, consistency can be a killer in this environment.
It takes a lot of programming skill and effort to craft every day to be a little different, compelling, and attention-getting. It’s especially important for formats like Classic Rock, where a finite gold library doesn’t have the current freshness.
That’s why I was so happy to receive an email from Buffalo’s 97Rock late last month, celebrating the "Blizzard of ’77." If you were in Buffalo 30 years ago, you were treated to one of the most amazing weather events in history. Market stalwart, Danny Nevearth who was the morning guy at WKBW, pretty much made his career that week by continuing to broadcast to his beleaguered, snowed-in community.
To "celebrate" this milestone, John Hager dedicated the entire day to playing music from 1977, and in the process, made an incredible connection to his community. We are continually asked how radio can possibly compete with iPods, the Internet, and cell phones. This is how.
Jacobs Media has consistently walked the walk in the digital space, providing insights and guidance through its well-read national Techsurveys.
In 2008, jacapps was launched - a mobile apps company that has designed and built more than 1,300 apps for both the Apple and Android platforms. In 2013, the DASH Conference was created - a mashup of radio and automotive, designed to foster better understanding of the "connected car" and its impact.
Along with providing the creative and intellectual direction for the company, Fred consults many of Jacobs Media's commercial and public radio clients, in addition to media brands looking to thrive in the rapidly changing tech environment.
Fred was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in 2018.
- Media And Technology In 2025: Believe It Or Not! - April 18, 2025
- In Radio, You Just Never Know - April 17, 2025
- The Secret To Making A Great Podcast (And Great Radio) - April 16, 2025
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