No, today’s blog post title is not an oxymoron despite what you hear from naysayers in and out of the radio business. But as an industry, I think we all can agree that when it comes to innovation, we could do more and we need to do better. And that’s why today, Jacobs Media is introducing a new initiative that’s designed to showcase innovation in radio.
Last month in a letter to his employees, Entercom’s David Field noted that “we are living in a world of unprecedented and rapid change that is impacting virtually every part of our lives. To compete effectively in this environment, all businesses must embrace change and innovate.”
Gary Shapiro, CEO of the Consumer Electronics Association (and keynoter at DASH 2.0), has written a book on the topic: Ninja Innovation. In it, Gary reminds us that “to be successful, one has to move beyond what has come before. One must take the lessons learned through study, experience, and failure, and apply them in ways that change the game so to speak.”
Radio honors many accomplishments with its Marconi and Crystal awards. We give the nod each year to the “40 Most Powerful,” and we feel a sense of excitement about the “30 under 30,” while acknowledging programming and on-air performances in markets big and small with any number of trophies and plaques.
But in the radio industry, innovation is only sporadically identified or celebrated in any systematic, highly visible way. There is no mechanism to point out the people who are truly breaking ground, trying new things, and throwing those long passes down the field – especially if they’re under the radar.
Sadly, the radio business hasn’t always been especially kind to its innovators, often taking a cynical or “wait and see” point of view about ideas that could prove to be breakthrough. Everyone has a different point of view about what’s truly innovative. But there’s one thing that most radio CEOs can agree on, and that’s the need for more innovation inside – and outside of radio.
Thus, “Radio’s Most Innovative.”
We’re going to spend the next year (or so) here at Jacobs Media shining the light on the most innovative ideas and the people and teams behind them. We’re designating the last day of each week as “Innovation Fridays” in our blog. So right here, starting next week, we will tell the stories of true radio innovators. Some of these people, teams, and accomplishments are well-known.
Other “Innovation Friday” posts will introduce you to radio professionals from markets or stations most of us have never heard of. And we will very likely raise some eyebrows with our choices because innovation is often in the eye of the beholder. It won’t be perfect, but we’ll give it our best shot because we believe this initiative is important to an industry that is truly at the crossroads.
There is also a great deal of innovative thinking and doing occurring outside of broadcasting companies that impact the present and future of radio. To be as comprehensive as possible, we’re also going to journey outside of the U.S. to acknowledge international innovators.
You’ll notice that “Radio’s Most Innovative” doesn’t have a countdown or ranks, nor is there a finite number of innovations we will celebrate. We will recognize innovators as long as you feel there’s value to this initiative, and that we’re accomplishing something – making a difference.
Innovation knows no boundaries. It occurs in programming and promotion, but also in digital, mobile, engineering, and even the sales department. It happens in public radio, and overseas. It can be a concept, a process, a product, or even a new format. Innovation happens in the corner office, but also in the production studio and in other surprising parts of radio companies.
The overriding goal of our “Radio’s Most Innovative” initiative is to be a positive force, highlighting amazing people and the things they’re doing. And from this attention, we’re hoping that we all can learn from and be inspired by these examples. We are also hopeful that RMI will stimulate other companies and individuals to take risks, to launch an experiment, to do a little hacking, and to simply throw the ball down the field. We’re hoping that innovation feeds on itself, and that by showcasing it, we can generate and motivate more of it.
And just to make it official, we will be handing out physical awards like the one pictured here to each week’s recipient of our “Innovation Friday” attention.
Our team will make the calls on the field, based on our knowledge of who’s doing what out there and why it matters. But here’s where you come in: we’ve set up innovation@g5j.8ac.myftpupload.com as a place where you can nominate anyone for this honor (including yourself and your team). Take the time to tell us the story and include pictures and other materials that provide us with the necessary resources to understand the innovation and why it matters.
We hope that “Radio’s Most Innovative” leads to something – more attention to the innovators, companies making a greater effort to support innovation, and a renewed energy on the part of the radio business to go beyond quarterly performance on the ratings and revenue spreadsheets, and truly get our industry celebrating and supporting new ideas. We would love to see some friendly competition between companies to come up with the next big innovation, above and beyond higher PPMs and better Milller Kaplans.
Jeff Smulyan reminded us that radio “needs to be cool again.” And we agree with him. These days, the cool kids in the room invent, hack, and create. They don’t stay the course. They don’t run out the clock. They innovate. Some of them live in Silicon Valley, but others are quietly doing amazing things in Austin, Poughkeepsie, Cedar Rapids, and yes, Detroit. We want to shine the light on them, while inspiring others along the way.
All feedback is welcome. We’ll be back one week from today with “Innovation Friday” and our first RMI honoree.
Thanks for your support.
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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“But there’s one thing that most radio CEOs can agree on, and that’s the need for more innovation inside…of radio.” I’m gonna call BS on that one.
If they really felt that way, there would not only be more innovation, but there would be CEO based initiatives to foster it. There is little to nothing in radio’s CEO’s actions to suggest that they value innovation at all. Based on those actions, radio CEOs probably value cost cutting and short term stock price gains as they relate to the vesting schedule on the shares they own personally way more than they value innovation.
That said, I’m glad you’re seeking in out, publicizing it and giving out real awards for innovation. Its just too bad that you value it more than most radio companies and I hope that no one loses their job for being outed as an innovator.
Well done, Fred. Though I do agree with Bob Bellin regarding calling out BS. Not on you, but the CEO’s. I worked at Entercom for 10 years, a decent company mind you, though a lot of good people lost jobs due to innovation, i.e., voice tracking, just running liners, as well as satellite shows, these were cost cutting measures, not innovation. Now the CEO’s are waking up to the fact that their product (I’ve never cared for that term regarding stations or talent, but that’s what it is) is floundering? Who’d have thought?!
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not bitter or even the slightest bit upset about not working on air at this time. What I miss is listening to TALENT. The type that make you glad to listen. What I hear is the same folks that have moved from one station to another in town. I get why that is. Who wants to move to another city if they’re not sure they’re going to have a job 6 months down the road? I turned down 3 incredible opportunities in the mid 2000’s due to the rumblings of jobs going away. 2 of those stations flipped a few months after I said thank you, but no thank you. The other station just didn’t seem to fit for me. So I stayed put.
Be that as it may, the excitement of radio just isn’t there. Or, I don’t have the luxury of being a listener due to being on air for over 30 years. When I hear something great, I’m thrilled! Here’s to more of those moments, and soon! Bring on the innovation! Radio needs it.
Michelle, I think a key to our innovation initiative is that we’ll be looking inside and outside of radio for big, inventive, and scalable ideas. I think we’ll know a few months in whether we’re on track. Some of the innovations will come from broadcaster names you know, but others will come from unlikely sources. Thanks for commenting.
Thanks, Fred. I’m excited to see/hear results. It’s about time.
Thanks for the support. As noted, I’m hoping we can make innovation a major priority for companies big and small. Thanks for taking the time to write, Bob.
Tough thing to find in an industry that has been swallowed up by private equity, debt and non-broadcasters. They’re out there though so I applaud Jacobs Media for searching for it. Jacobs Media by their own right is an innovative company so what you’re doing is appropriate and can be backed up by all of the work that your company is doing.
True innovation is possible in this old line traditional business. The bones are there and it can be exciting if leaders can recognize it. So much can be done in the areas of engagement with listeners, marketing, contesting and sales by embracing digital not running from it. Visionaries are needed. It’s really hard and takes unreal commitment. It needs to be pushed down hard. Lights will go off across all areas and divisions in your station if you shift appropriately. It’s happening with us and lights are going off every day. Now looking forward to Fridays for another reason.
Peter, thanks for the kind words and the encouragement. I love your line, “The bones are there.” That was our belief, too – that despite the conditions that have changed the industry, there are creative, driven, and innovative people. Let’s shed the light on what they’re doing. Thanks for taking the time.
Terrific idea. I’m a big fan of lighting a candle instead of cursing the darkness, so thank you. I also believe this initiative will find innovation alive and well across our industry in both big ways and small. Corporate consolidation might have reduced radio’s entrepreneurial spirit, but not innovation.
Are you accepting nominations? A variety of innovative stations and firms come to mind.
Send ’em. And thanks for the encouragement and the kind words, Andrew.
Fred…love your idea. It’ll be the small/medium market stations – non-group owned- who have less to risk and less bureaucracy – who will take the flyers to innovate. Then maybe we can move past the ‘…where else has this worked…?’ mentality. Good hunting…
Thanks, Jackson – much appreciated. And please feel free to let us know of those innovators you run into. We really want to do this the right way. Thanks for the comment.