No activity in the world symbolizes the labor experience more than the manufacturing of the American car. So as we head into a three-day weekend that celebrates the end of summer with barbeques, swimming, golf, and other activities, this post is a reminder of just how important the automobile has been to all of us here in the U.S. and around the world.
And if you’re in radio, the role of the car has taken on added meaning during the past few years. As time goes by, the car has become the dominant listening location. And the sales side of the equation is also very much in play. Automotive revenue has traditionally played a major role in radio sales, and is now being threatened by new media outlets.
That’s why Jacobs Media continues to point to the car as the symbolic fulcrum of radio, and why we are heavily immersed at the intersection of the automotive and the radio industries.
At the Radio Show in Orlando in just a couple weeks, we have something very special planned. I’ll be joined by global telematics expert Roger Lanctot for a Super Session called “Radio & The Connected Car.” It’s sponsored by Arbitron, and it’s a deep dive into this space and what it means for the radio industry moving forward. We hope to see you at the 2013 NAB/RAB Radio Show.
And then on October 23-24, the focus turns to Detroit – Motown – the Motor City – for a unique conference devoted to audio infotainment and the “connected car” – DASH.
We’ve partnered with Radio Ink and telematics industry leader Valerie Shuman to present a unique series of panels, keynotes, and sessions designed to bring the radio, automotive, and advertising industries together to share ideas and seek out partnership opportunities.
As I write this, executives from brands as diverse and as important in this space as Toyota, Panasonic, TuneIn, NPR, Pandora, and iHeartRadio will be participating, along with radio moguls that include David Field, Erica Farber, Peter Smyth, Bruce Reese, and many others. We are excited about what this event will mean for radio, and we would love to have you visit the epicenter of the automotive industry for two important days to learn, collaborate, and move forward.
More information on DASH and why you should be there by clicking the link.
And finally, a thought about labor and how lucky most of us have it. You look at the guys (no women on the assembly line in those years) in the Ford picture at the top of this post, and they’re working pretty hard. In radio, we’re blessed with the ability to make a living by entertaining and informing people in one of the most unique industries in the world. As they say, no heavy lifting. We just have to be smart, compelling, inventive, and passionate. I’ll take that over putting lug nuts on SUVs.
As you’re hanging out with friends and family this weekend, I’ll bet you’ll hear questions about what it’s like to be in radio. Believe me – the lawyers, dentists, CPAs, and insurance salespeople are not having similar conversations.
So enjoy your holiday weekend and let’s get ready to rock the rest of the year. Hope to see you in Orlando…and in Detroit.
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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” Believe me – the lawyers, dentists, CPAs, and insurance salespeople are not having similar conversations.” They aren’t talking about consolidation? 🙂
Good point, Dave, but for them, consolidation is the same for airlines, fast food restaurants, and radio stations. Have a great weekend!