In radio, we are now constantly bombarded with reminders about new paradigms, “Purple Cows,” and doing things differently. Our industry and the way listeners consume music are changing at a mind-boggling rate.
But think about what’s happening across the aisle with record labels and music stores. Ray Charles’ Genius Loves Company snagged eight Grammys. You might be thinking that this is simply the year of Ray Charles, given the movie “Ray” with its wins at the Oscars last night, and the fact he passed away in 2004.
Dig deeper into Genius Loves Company and you’ll see that it is the essence of creating alternatives to traditional record labels and sales outlets. The collaboration of a small label, Concord Records, and coffee chain Starbucks, “Genius” signals more big changes in the music industry. The album is triple platinum, and as many as a half million sales occurred at Starbucks stores.
Paul recently happened into a Starbucks in Santa Monica, where their new burn-your-own-CD feature was up and running. It’s incredibly simple, personal, and ground-breaking. Just a few more ways that a business incredibly attuned to its customers is showing the industry how to produce and sell music. Just like Apple.
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.
- What’s Fair Is Fair - April 1, 2025
- What’s On Your Bucket List? - March 31, 2025
- “Honey, would you please talk to Alexa?” - March 28, 2025
Leave a Reply