Seriously, it was actually 30 years ago at the NAB Radio Show in 1983 in San Francisco.
I did what would now be called a “soft launch.” In the ‘80s, that meant rushing to print out business cards, grabbing a plane, and sleeping on the floor of Tom Bender’s room at the St. Francis Hotel at Union Square.
For someone who had only worked for big companies – Frank Magid and ABC – it was initially a humbling and lonely experience, realizing I was unknown and selling myself and my services to the radio industry. But it turned out to be a good idea, nurtured and encouraged by two key mentors – my Dad and Saga’s Ed Christian. Each assured me that I had what it would take to succeed as an entrepreneur – as a consultant or researcher – or whatever it was I was doing when I named the company Media Strategies.
That’s a story in itself. When I had those aforementioned business cards printed up, they just had my name and contact information. The print company suggested I use a word or two under my name to describe what it was I did. So on the fly, I came up with “Media Strategies,” and placed it under my name.
Except that when the cards came back, my positioning statement was above my name and in a bold, large font. And as I handed out those cards at convention, people remarked on the name – and so it stuck. Until we became Jacobs Media a handful of years later.
It’s been a great run – and there’s a lot more in the tank – because the company (or companies) is doing some pretty exciting things. Early on, I had this notion that simply conducting focus groups or consulting radio stations wasn’t enough – it was important to innovate, to create, and to walk the walk.
So the Classic Rock format launch in ’85 was the first true test. And we followed that up a few years later with the notion that the Alternative format could become a mainstream success. We created The Edge brand, eventually hired Tom Calderone, and went to work.
Not so many years later, we dusted off our research chops and started to get serious about email databases and the idea that they could be a great source of research. Numerous national studies followed, and nine Techsurveys and five Public Radio Tech Surveys (PRTS) later, we’ve been able to share a lot of great data with hundreds of radio stations along the way.
Our ethnographic surveys with Arbitron – “The Bedroom Project” and “Goin’ Mobile” – have been breakthrough studies. And then there’s jacAPPS, our mobile apps development company that is now an entity unto itself.
We expanded into public radio in the late ‘90s, first with a grant from the Corporation of Public Broadcasting, and then working closely with NPR, as well as many great public radio stations. In addition to our Super Session at the Radio Show tomorrow morning in Orlando, we honored to be involved with three sessions at the Public Radio Programming Conference – a fabulous event that also occurs this week in Atlanta.
We produce our own conferences with various partners. It all started back in the ‘90s when we called it “The Alternative Boot Camp,” then “The Alternative Summit,” which morphed into “The Rock Summit,” and finally, “The Summit.” We’re doing our 17th in December in partnership with Arbitron.
And then there’s DASH, the connected car/audio infotainment conference we’re producing with Radio Ink and Valerie Shuman next month in Motown. As I said – we have a lot of really cool things going on.
This is already shaping up to be a wild month for us. We’re moving out of the building we’ve been in for 25 years to new offices down the street. And we’re introducing a new logo, too. Hopefully, it will get better reviews than that new Yahoo design.
But enough about us – we have lots of you to thank. In fact, too many to mention. Along the way, I’ve added a number of unofficial “board members” to help guide me and keep me out of the rough. After all, consultants need consultants, too. There have been hundreds of clients who have entrusted their stations – and in many cases, their financial futures – to us. Believe me, we appreciate your faith in our company, and we greatly value your business.
I’ve also had some great staffers that have helped me build our brand(s). A number of our “graduates” have moved onto some great jobs, and my current group continues to perform at a high level. As you all know, my two brothers – Paul and Bill – have each been with me for a couple decades and more. That was never the design – but it has worked out exceedingly well.
So thanks to you for letting me bask a bit – OK, for one post. Even as we’ve expanded and grown the footprint, it’s always been about supporting – and sometimes cajoling – radio, our first love. This business has been great to us, and we’ve tried to give a lot back. Our efforts in mobile apps have largely revolved around the radio sector, always looking for ways to move and modernize and grow the business of radio.
So again, thanks to all of you who are clients, friends, supporters, readers of this blog and our other stuff, and of course, our employees. Back in ’83, I could not have imagined that I would be writing this post three decades later – not on that IBM Selectric but on a personal computer.
You just never know.
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.
- Radio + Thanksgiving = Gratitude - November 27, 2024
- Is It Quittin’ Time For SiriusXM? - November 26, 2024
- Radio, It Oughta Be A Crime - November 25, 2024
Congratulations Fred! You have done a lot for Rock radio, here’s to the next 30! You and your team are without a doubt the best in the business. It’s been an honor to work with all of you over the years.
Right back at you, Brent. Appreciate it.
Congrats to you and your team, Fred (because, as you pointed out, we all know it takes a strong team to be successful.) Thanks for the guidance, thought-provoking questions, ideas, technical expertise, and staying ahead of the media curve. You help keep a lot of brands winning. Thanks and congrats!
Ken, you’ve been a great client and a great friend along the way. Much appreciated.
Congrats Fred. I remember the R&R articles when you launched in Dallas on 570 with classic rock. As Ken above wrote, you keep a lot of brands winning and by sharing your thoughts and insights through your blog, your helping the entire industry.
Raising my coffee mug this morning to another 30.
Dan, many thanks. And hopefully, it’s the boldest of brews. Appreciate you taking the time and your friendship.
Happy Anniversary Fred. You done good!!
Unlike many consultants, you have made radio BETTER over the last 30 years.
My hat is off to you, your brothers and the entire Jacob’s Team.
Means a great deal, Lee. That was the goal and it’s gratifying to read comments like yours. Much appreciated.
Congrats on the big 3-0!
So glad to have met you & worked with you all those years ago.
(Love the new logo too)
Rock On!!
Greg, you were instrumental in helping us make KCFX a big hit. It was my first big market FM Classic Rocker, and we overcame some tough odds to make it successful. I vividly remember that experience with you, Bill Newman, and of course, Jay Hoker. Thanks.
You and your staff brought insight, fresh ideas, friendship, management/sales consulting and a lot more when I was a client and I always believed that Jacobs Media was a big factor in my success as a GM. Being a consulting client was probably the best value for the dollar I ever got anywhere – multiply that by all of the relationships you’ve had over the years and its no surprise that you’re still thriving.
Here’s to as many more years as you want to keep at it!
Bob, thanks for that. You were a great client – one of the brand managers who truly figured out how to use us. And use us you did! Thanks for your faith in us back then – you had lots of choices – and for your friendship throughout.
Fred,
I’ve always respected & admired you after seeing you at Saga conferences over the years…and now, I’m lucky enough to again, be under the Jacobs umbrella, with my work at WROR.
Congrats on 30 years! But can we please REST “Sweet Home Alabama” yet?
Thanks so much, JC. And funny thing abot that song – Paul and I visited (now outgoing) NPR CEO Gary Knell earlier this year. As we were running down our history for him, the Classic Rock thing came up, and in the middle of the story, he starts belting out, “BIG WHEELS KEEPS ON TURNING…” I instantly knew he was someone I wanted work with. Thanks for the kind words (and yes, go ahead – drop it down to a secondary).
Time flies when you’re kicking ass! Congrats Fred!
Much thanks, Scott. Great to hear from you.
Congratulations, Fred. Thanks to a long association with you (dating back to “Media Strategies”!), we’re still rockin’ big ratings and revenue in Buffalo. In fact, this weekend is our 25th re-launch anniversary which I know you remember well.
John, Larry, Rob, J.P., Carl, Slick, Chris, Anita, Jickster and your friends at 97 Rock.
You guys were there most of the way. The “resurrection” of 97Rock is one of my fondest memories, and Buffalo became one of my favorite places to visit – and it was because of you and your great team. The funny thing is that I was so worried about the relaunch of 97Rock that I actually got cold feet and almost didn’t board the plane. Now THAT would have been a mistake. Thanks for your loyalty and your friendship.
I really enjoyed this blog. It is a great story and I am glad you shared it. Congratulations and continued success!
Thanks much, Dave. It’s been fun and the ride continues. Thank you.
Congratulations, Fred, and thanks for your always thought-provoking research and analysis. You’re a pioneer and rock star in the bizz. By the way, I think that the new logo is MUCH better than Yahoo’s 🙂
Liam, just don’t tell that to Melissa Mayer. Appreciate the kind words.
Congratulations Fred. Thank you for teaching me how to be a PD. Thanks for talking me off the ledge more than once. I never would have had all the wins I have had without your guidance. Here’s to many more years of success for all of your ventures!
Really appreciate that You and I have worked together in several markets for some amazing stations. Always enjoyed working with you – and hanging out, too. Thanks, Larry.
“It’s better to burn out, than to fade away.” -Neil Young
Congratulations!
That IS a fact. Much thanks, Tom.
Congratulations, Fred, to you and your entire team. Thank you for all that you do for Greater Media Boston!
Thanks much, Rob. It’s an honor to work with your team and Greater Media, a company that has been behind us for most of our time in business. Appreciate it.
Fred; Sincere congratulations…tho’ I’ve still got 11 years on ‘ya. Your 2nd blog today “Death Threats” is without doubt, one of the best ever. It was time somebody said it, and no surprise, it was you. Way to go.
Thanks, Dick, for the friendship and support all these many years. Someone earlier today wished me 30 more years, and I’m not sure THAT’S such a great idea.
Congratulations Fred!
Having grown up in Michigan I still remember what you did for radio during your stints with ABC and WRIF. You taught me the value in understanding the consumer and how to leverage that to win in radio and ultimately all media. Your successes early on became the motivation for my career and I continue to watch your success with great interest. I thank you for the advice, support, and the innovation which is a key component of my professional profile.
Jim, very much appreciate those comments – they mean a lot.
Congratulations on your continuous success. I didn’t mind the basking at all! In fact, I found it compelling and inspirational!
Appreciate that, Kelly. Thanks so much.
As Henry Ford said, “Whether you think you can or you can’t, you’re right.” You’re proof that given the choice, always pick the positive. Congratulations on three decades of growth and success.
Dick, I love that quote, proving once again that I’m right! Seriously, appreciate it.
But do we have to call it Audiotainment =/
I’m extremely blessed to have known you all that time and even more. Congrats, old friend. Lemme know if you’re ever in NorCal…
Actually, it was 33 years ago today. The post is three years old. Who knew, right? Always great to count you as a friend – another of those overachieving kids at MSU having tons o fun in those Union Building studios. Be well, Ira, and thanks for the good wishes.