I’ve come to enjoy these #TBT posts and I hope you have, too. I always select them for the month we’re at present, but beyond that, our journeys back through the JacoBLOG “wayback machine” can rewind a year or two – or a decade or two. It just depends.
Today’s pick from the archival grab bag was one of my favorites from 2018 because it involved YOU – radio people who I’ve known forever, those I recently met, and of course, those of you I don’t know. Over these past years, many of you have related to me how this job has had some notable impact. So on Thursdays, when I’m on my game and I find a topic that still resonates in the here and now, it’s a good day – not just in terms of page views (although it’s an indicator of reach) but in the comments I receive here, on my socials, and anecdotally as I run into radio people through my travels, conversations, and in recent years since the pandemic, all those Zoom meetings.
So, I hope you enjoy today’s #TBT post, perhaps see yourself or someone you worked with in these stories. And maybe you’ll feel compelled to drop me a comment below or on Facebook, LinkedIn, or Twitter/X about your own career – and life – journey.
How did you get in radio? That’s the question, and to update the post properly, I’ll leave a few contemporary comments in bold italics. – FJ
I’m blessed that my staff does a great job of feeding me great blog post ideas. As many of you know, we publish a new post every weekday – and have done so for 13+ years. Right now, it’s 19+ years.
In today’s post, it’s a familiar topic – storytelling. It’s almost become cliché because it seems like virtually every consumer brand is now creating narratives – banks, dishwashing liquids, and grocery stores. They’re all diving in head first into the storytelling pool – often with very mixed results.
That’s because telling a compelling story that moves an audience isn’t easy. It requires great writing and even better production. As we’re learning with each passing year on the podcasting platform, quality matters. But it also requires a truly great tale, often one that is personal, that captivates the listener or the viewer. When they’re contrived, people see right through them.
There was a time – not that long ago – when many podcasters insisted that a raw, “unproduced” approach was actually preferred by fans, rather than a slick, produced sound.
There are no absolutes when it comes to taste and aesthetics, but it seems more and more apparent that if a consumer is going to spend any length of time checking out your podcast, it had better be well-produced.
That’s been part of the public radio formula, and probably a big reason why so many of their podcasts are so popular. They are almost always well written and well produced. If you look at the top ranking podcasts, you are more and more likely to discover content that checks off both these important boxes.
At this year’s Podcast Movement conference next month in Philly, I’m expecting this topic will be a frequent part of conversations – on our “Broadcasters Meet Podcasters” stage – as well as in the hallways and bars in and around the convention hotel. But the real secret to making a great podcast isn’t about which mic you use, how many people participate, and how long it is.
It’s about the quality and the texture of the story itself.
This week, Bill Jacobs sent me an amazing video that perhaps you’ve already seen on Facebook, Twitter, or a news site. A first-time aspirant for public office in Texas – Mary Jennings Hegar – better known as MJ. She’s running for Congress in Texas’ 31st district against incumbent John Carter. The video is just over three minutes – much too long for a TV spot, but perfect for Internet video.
In just five days since its online release, it’s racked up nearly 2 million views. That’s pretty impressive for just another of the mundane, predictable 435 Congressional races happening all over the country in just a few short months. The video now has 3.1 million views, but Hegar lost the election later that year.
Hegar narrates the entire video, and as you’ll no doubt notice, it is impeccably well-produced. In fact, more so than any political campaign ad I’ve ever seen – for offices much higher than a Congressional seat – this video is light years ahead of the pack.
And while the directing and editing is top-shelf, it is Hegar’s story that grabs you. It’s easy to watch, share, and talk about with others. That’s because it tells a great story and it does so with a theme – in this case “doors.”
Put your politics aside and watch how well Hegar’s video connects with viewers, especially if you’ve never heard of her:
And after watching it, another of our consultants – Mike Stern, who works closely with many people on the air – made this observation:
“I learned more about this woman in three minutes than I know about most air talent who I listen to regularly.”
And as I pondered that thought, I couldn’t help but think that both Bill and Mike are spot on. It’s a great video, and it does a better job of telling a complete stranger’s story than most stations do with their veteran, trusted on-air talent.
When you think about it, how many great personalities on the radio do you really get a sense for? Think about your staff and even those you’ve worked with in prior gigs. How well do you really know them – their stories, and what makes them unique and interesting?
Ironically, the same is true in public radio. They may be superior storytellers on shows like The Moth or This American Life, but when it comes to showcasing their own talent, their journalists, and their hosts, most are no better off than their commercial radio counterparts. After all, how well do you really know Ira Glass, Steve Inskeep, or Terry Gross? All three continue to ply their craft today on the public radio airwaves, holding down the same roles they had back then.
Why is that?
You can make the case that Hegar’s video production is in a league of its own. And you’ll get no argument from me on that. You might also claim she truly has a one-of-a-kind story, from her heroics in the service to her championing of women’s rights in the hall of Congress. And, of course, that’s a great point, too.
Great storytelling is about how you move your voters – your listeners (especially those walking around with meters or diaries), as well as advertisers, looking for a reason to invest in your station rather than buying more mundane Facebook ads.
How do I know this? Over the years, I’ve met hundreds – and perhaps thousands – of on-air talent. As anyone who works in radio knows, they’re all different – all with unique goals, paths, and dreams. And they’re almost always strange, circuitous, and riveting. I was thinking about some of the National Radio Hall of Fame inductees – Jonathan Brandmeier, Dr. Laura, Jim Kerr, Joan Hamburg, Mike Francesa – and the fact is, despite having listened to them for years and even seeing their audience research data, I know nothing about them – and their stories about how they came to become radio icons. So, I attended the induction ceremony that November on a snowy New York City night, and was treated to truly amazing stories from all these wizards of the airwaves, along with other inductees. I wish you could’ve been there.
Every on-air personality I’ve ever met who has displayed even a modicum of talent, staying power, and the ability to entertain and inform has a great narrative, too. You just have to pull it out of them.
In fact, that’s often how I start up a conversation with a DJ, host, or team that I meet. It’s a simple question, but it works every time:
“So, how did you get into radio?”
Corollary questions include “Why did you get into radio?” or even “How did you end up in radio?”
But they all work, because everyone on the radio has a story. They’re all different. And every jock loves to tell their tale, embellish it a bit, and make it sound good. In this way, I not only break the ice – I learn about who’s sitting across from me and what motivates them to do what they do.
Video makes it that much more compelling to tell those radio personality stories. I know – we’ve all been taught to paint pictures with words, “theater of the mind,” and all that stuff.
And rare artists like the late Nick Michaels had that rare ability to do just that with audio. But why limit yourself to just sound when you can add pictures?
With video, we have a different pathway to get that story across. And the good news is that simple equipment – a smartphone and video editing software – can produce quality stuff. Our Techsurveys show clearly that on-demand video is way ahead of podcasts in overall consumption. We love watching short videos that teach us something, entertain us, or do a little of both.
We just wrapped up the field work for our study of air talent in partnership with Don Anthony and Morning Show Boot Camp – AQ. With over 
1,200 competed interviews (thank you very much, BTW), the stories are jumping out of the data. I’m seeing things that confirm long-held beliefs, as well as being surprised by some of the thoughts, attitudes, goals, and even struggles experienced by the hundreds and hundreds of personalities who took the time to compete our survey.
But as riveting as the charts and graphs will be when we present the data at Boot Camp’s 30th anniversary in Chicago in August, they will pale in comparison to the real stories behind so many of these personalities, whether they work in Omaha, Orlando, or Owosso. That’s because stories trump data every day. Morning Show Boot Camp 36 takes place in San Diego this August, and I will be back to kick off this great event with AQ6, our now annual survey of radio talent.
Radio’s ability to stay ahead and apart of Internet predators may very likely hinge on its personalities – and their ability to foster loyalty and a sense of connectedness. For many, it starts with breeding more familiarity, empathy, and relatability.
So, what’s your story?
For a look at a radio station that’s done a great job of telling its key personality’s story, check out the video of Pat Martin, the long-time midday icon at KRXQ/Sacramento (Entercom):
Ahh…Pat Martin…one of my favorite people to ever grace the airwaves. Last year, Pat called it quits on a truly stellar radio career. Those privileged to listen to Pat on 98Rock in Sacramento (and other stations) over the years know that he’s not only a wonderful storyteller, but he’s a great friend, compadre, and Sherpa to thousands of loyal listeners who regularly made Pat their at-work or in-car companion. A shoutout to Pat, Monica, and the entire family. – FJ
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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During my tenure with the Radio America network, I had the rare privilege of shooting an interview with MJ Hegar in Washington DC (RA has a video production arm, and for a few years I was their videographer). This was before her dive into politics, and the story she told was every bit as compelling in person as the one she set to picture.
When I heard she didn’t win, all I could think was, “Your loss, Texas.”
I nad the same feeling when MJ lost her congressional race. We need more politicians like her.
Had many people as I went through High School telling me I had the voice and in some cases the face for radio. I had an interest early on to get involved but was working and making money and was in a bad relationship and convinced not to do it and continue to make the money we were making. I was 25 I met my now wife. She told me I needed to go for it I would regret it if I didn’t. And was she right. I enrolled and a brown institute in Minneapolis. And for the moment I got in the studio I fell in love. You had to pry me out of the studio each night I didn’t want to leave. Flash forward to many stops later I’ve been in Sioux City Iowa for much longer than I ever thought I would be. I’ve been able to raise kids and have four seasons and a ton of fun. I always tell people I love what I do every single day, the meeting’s not so much but I owe it all to my wife. If you have a dream attack it, otherwise you’ll regret it for the rest of your life.
Great success story, Moose. Thanks for sharing it here.
Growing up in NYC I was an MC & PA announcer. John Sterling came back to visit his McBurney School and told me if I got into radio…..”Just do what they ask. If you muff it, you’ll get another chance…succeed and you’re on your way.” My first job was in July ’66, $1.75 hr at 500w Daytime WBIS, Bristol CT. 5 years I was Operations Director at WBZ, Boston. Still loving & believing in radio. My current demo is the 2nd station I worked at AM Stereo 1220, Hamden/New Haven CT. Now heard anytime, anywhere on Digital 1220watx.com. Thank you everyone great who’ve I met so far. http://www.broadcastideas.com
Appreciate you sharing your story, Clark!
I would imagine that most people immediately think of “how I got into radio” stories coming from on-air talent. However, as a radio station salesperson and sales manager for 40+ years my motivation came from wanting an equal opportunity and a career where compensation was based on performance. Hard work is rewarded. It was also an exciting and fun environment where you met lots of people and had a lot of insight into what was going on.
Thanks for the reminder to think about others in the building outside of the air studio, Wendy. I know a lot of people who got into radio for simmilar motivations.
I got into business by taking off the back of the radio and crawling in! Aside from that failed attempt at humor, I began with my mentor Jim Shelton at WIBC in Indy, assisting him at car dealer remotes. My first paying job was a board op at WKHM in Jackson, MI and first time to actually be on the air was my Sunday Night Music Mart show on WOIA (102.9 FM) in Ann Arbor with a 16 year old kid doing the news by the name of John Landecker! I guess my legacy will be the 45 years of video documentation that I will leave behind showing show much FUN the radio business was back when it was LESS about business and MORE about entertainment and personality. However, I’m looking for permanent home for all these video memories. Any suggestions? Let me know.
I LOVE that openning line, Art. Meantime, we’ve got to figure out what do with all your radio “history.”
When this column first appeared in 2018 (Google really CAN find everything), I answered the question:
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My trip into radio started in local UHF television in the late 1960s, to pre-satellite cable TV programming, to FM.
I’ll happily tell the story if we ever meet in person, Fred.
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Six years later and I still haven’t gotten to tell it to you, Fred. Maybe you better call me sometime. 😀
We might have to do that, KM. Thanks for hanaging in with me all these years.