Last week, the New York Stock Exchange ended its day with Harley-Davidson’s CEO, John Thain, ringing the closing bell. To honor this event, at least 30 traders rode their Harleys to work, and wearing suits, left Wall Street on their hogs.
What an incredible cult brand Harley has become – a Wall Street darling last week, and the icon for rallies from Sturgis to Detroit, year in and year out. And to hear motorcycle experts tell it, Harleys are far from the best bikes made. As Matt Ragas explained it to Jacobs Summit attendees in ’03, that’s the power of the cult brand. People want to be a part of it.
And consider this litmus test. If those non-motorcycle owners reading this blog had an opportunity to buy a bike, what brand would YOU buy? For most of us, the answer’s obvious. There’s no reason for radio stations not to aspire to create the same relationship with their audiences.
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’ve heard it said that Harley-Davidson doesn’t sell motorcycles. They sell the opportunity for the 9 to 5 accountant to put on a leather vest, and drive through a small town and scare the hell out of most of the residents. In other words, it’s all about the image.
Also got to give a hand to Chrysler. They brought back the Hemi engine. Interesting fact about the motor is that during the mid 60’s to early 70’s when the hemi was first introduced as an option, only 11,000 vehicles were built with them. Yet, that piece of nostalgia led to over 200,000 of them to be sold last year alone. One other fact, it doesn’t cost the manufacturer much more to produce the hemi, yet they tack an extra 10 grand on to the sticker if you want one!
“that thing go a hemi in it?”