Tim Davis will want to take some credit for the discovery of singer Leslie Feist, known just by her last name. But the reality is that until she showed up in that iPod Nano ad, singing "1234," nobody knew who she was. Since that spot started airing nationally, Feist and "1234" are bona fide hits. And once again, radio has had little – if anything – to do with it.
And as the incessant Danny Buch emails keep telling us, Old Navy ads are making a star of Ingrid Michaelson. Of course, if you watch Grey’s Anatomy, you first heard…or saw Michaelson as part of that hit show’s soundtrack. Once again, radio is the last to get the message. In fact in one of his missives, Danny actually was trying to get the single serviced to radio, long after it started becoming one of those "Who’s that singing on those Old Navy commercials?" phenomenon.
It’s more evidence that new music and new artists are being broken outside of radio, an industry that’s often stuck either trying to catch up or just figure out what’s all the commotion about. Yes, the statistics continue to reinforce that radio is still #1 for exposure to new music. But when commercials and TV shows are generating the real music buzz, it’s time to start re-evaluating.
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.
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