For the past 14 years, we have put together, produced, and pulled off annual Jacobs Summits, first with Gavin, then for more than a decade with R&R, and since last year, with the NAB. We've learned a great deal about the art of booking, scheduling, and presentation, especially during the past few years when many broadcasters have discouraged their own employees to attend conventions. Go figure.
It gets tougher every year, especially as the economy has roared over radio, and now the entire globe. Travel budgets were first in line to get slashed, so if conventions are going to successfully attract broadcasters, they had better be content-rich.
So when sports consultant Bob Snyder and former Jacobs-employee Mike Stern came to us with the idea of a virtual convention, they had my attention. The idea is that you can sit down at the comfort of a computer, and enjoy some compelling sessions. There's also a virtual "exhibit hall" where advertisers can show their wares, ask questions in a chat format, and interact with convention-goers.
Our jacAPPS division will be represented because we believe there's a market for smartphone applications among sports franchises, sports radio stations, and of course, sports personalities and talk show hosts. As some of you know, we have developed apps for Dan Patrick, as well as other national personalities and shows, so Bob's show struck us a natural.
How will the virtual convention itself play out? Well, we'll have to see, but there is clearly something attractive to guest speakers about not having to jump on a plane and fly somewhere to present. It should be interesting, and Bob has assembled a strong list of guest speakers, including – sports personality, Tony Kornheiser, ESPN's Marc Horine, WEEI.com's GM Tim Murphy, NHL SVP Perry Cooper, Mark Turley of the PIttsburgh Penguins, Craig Zurek from the Dallas Cowboys, and iBiquity's Bob Struble. From talent issues to digital strategies, it's shaping up to be a full day of virtual convention content.
And of course, the price and convenience are the keys. It's $79 for the day – this Friday, December 11th from 11a-6p EST. And that price means you could jam in an entire staff into the conference room, sort of reminiscent of those drive-in movies that some of you remember attending a few decades ago. Of courese, you needed a roomy trunk.
Will virtual conventions replace the big gatherings we've come to know and often enjoy over the years? The power of the Internet to challenge our convention(al) wisdom can never be under-estimated. We were too curious about this model not to give it a shot.
So, we'll hopefully see some of you online as we test-drive another innovation that could only happen in an Internet world. We'll be in the Virtual Trade Show, talking apps, of course.
<CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE VIRTUAL TRADE SHOW>
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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