The big news – sort of – recently involved Metallica finally making its catalogue available on iTunes. After all that rhetoric about filesharing being the death of music, Active Rock’s former poster boys came to the realization that the digital way is the future… Or the present.
But image-wise, the damage has been done. While Metallica was on top of the hill during the late ’90s, today they are just another band. You can blame "St. Anger" and other career decisions for part of their decline, but the negative blowback they received in chat rooms and music sites all over the Internet contributed to their out-of-favor status.
Now the wait begins for holdouts like AC/DC, Zeppelin, and the Beatles – three more Mt. Rushmore bands. And with Roger Daltry’s recent comments indicating that the Internet plays no role in the Who’s career, Classic Rockers aren’t exactly helping their continued relevance.
I have been especially disappointed with the web presence – or lack thereof – of Classic Rock legends, even when they have new music to market. For every Neil Young – who "gets" the role the web plays in his popularity and the distribution of his music – there are too many others who completely ignore how the Internet can widen their reach, while providing them presence in new digital distribution outlets.
Maybe they need a little consulting. Or simply sitting down with a 15 year-old kid in front of a computer for an hour.
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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I believe that Bruce Springsteen was a holdout when it came to making video’s for MTV and the like.