As we reach the halfway point of 2019 and celebrate our nation’s Independence Day with a nice long weekend (or for many of us, even longer), we thought it was time to take a breath, and look back at the first half of 2019 – and give you some of our second half game plan.
First of all, anyone who tells you the first six months of the year weren’t very eventful was obviously on their phones while all the action was taking place on the field. Radio’s brokers may have had their best first half in years, as seemingly everyone is in play. Just like in many sports, it’s time to decide whether you’re a buyer or a seller.
Some of radio’s biggest brands were sold in the first half of the year, as well as entire companies. In the meantime, there’s some pivoting going on, especially in the area of podcasts, a hot area for broadcasters as well as anyone in the audio and branding businesses.
At Jacobs Media, we’re not sitting around the locker room waiting for the action to begin on Monday. We’re working on some big plays for the second half of the year as well.
Here’s what we have cooked up for the rest of 2019.
AQ2 – In a few days we’re closing our second AQ study – a deep dive into the minds and hearts of radio’s most important assets – its air personalities. 
We do this in conjunction with Morning Show Boot Camp, and it’s a unique opportunity to better understand the people on the air. We’re looking at a wide range of new questions in AQ2, as well as tracking last year’s pioneering study.
For this study to be valid, we want to hear from everyone on the air – in commercial radio in the US. That includes major market morning honchos to those working a music daypart at a mom & pop station in a small market.
Please take our survey over the long weekend because it’s about to close. You can access it HERE.
And at Morning Show Boot Camp next month, I’ll present the highlights, and then be joined by programming and personality gurus, Angela Perelli, Steve Reynolds, and Greg Strassell.
Podcast Movement – For the third year, we are helping bring together the worlds of podcasting and broadcasting at the biggest podcast convention 
of them all, Podcast Movement. Bring an extra shirt or two – it’s in Orlando in August.
Dan Franks and Jared Easley are the masterminds behind this great show. We are excited to once again partner with them.
Our “Broadcasters Meet Podcasters” sessions cover the gamut, helping broadcasters develop their podcasting strategy by learning from leaders from both fields. This year’s expanded 3-day agenda features keynote speeches from Stuff Media’s Conal Byrne, former NPR superstar and Audible maven, Eric Nuzum, and sessions on branded podcasts, what Public Radio knows that everyone should know, how a broadcaster can take a local news event and turn it into a podcast, our now-famous Podcast Makeover session, and much more.
We’re even going to present our “speed dating” version of one-to-one feedback at Podcast Movement, featuring some of podcast’s biggest gurus and stars who will answer all your questions. For more information, go HERE.
And we’ve got registration discounts available for individuals and companies – contact Paul HERE.
The 2019 Radio Show – Our inside sources tell us the organizers of the Radio Show are working overtime to evolve this traditional event to make it bigger and better. They’ve already announced two of their keynote sessions, including one of our favorites, new media guru Gary Vaynerchuk (Gary 
Vee). Our other keynoter is the EVP/Chief Branding Officer for the Dallas Cowboys, Charlotte Jones Anderson. Look for more announcements in the coming days. We’re looking forward to leaving our suits and ties at home and witnessing the next evolution of the Radio Show, this year in Dallas. Details HERE.
Public Radio Techsurvey 2019 – The newest edition of our exclusive public radio-centric study will be released to the industry in August at the 
Public Radio Program Directors Conference next month in Minneapolis – then to the rest of the world. Because so much is happening at public radio’s news and music stations, this year’s study tackles new ground to better understand the changes impacting the entire system.
As the commercial radio industry in the US has learned over the years, what’s happening in public radio matters and is informative to the entire radio business. Between its stellar coverage of the news, its tech achievements, and its impressive record in podcasting, this study is one to watch.
You can also get information on attending PRPD HERE.
Christian Music Broadcasters Techsurvey 2019 – Yup, not everyone’s aware, but we also produce a version of Techsurvey for the CMB group,
representing Christian music stations across the country. This is a great group of motivated programmers and managers who rely mightily on this data to help direct their digital strategies.
The results will be presented at CMB’s Momentum conference in September, the event’s 10th anniversary. You can get information on Momentum 2019 HERE.
CES 2020 – It’s not too early to look into the crystal ball to gaze at the future. We’re already planning our annual tours for broadcasters at the 2020 Consumer Electronics Show in early January (just before the Super Bowl). Response has grown each year, as CEOs, group heads, GMs and other 
execs from commercial, public, and Christian radio join us to navigate the largest, most important tech convention in the world. Details will be coming soon – we’d love to have as many broadcasters as possible join us in January in Las Vegas. And we’ve got a block of room discounts that are already going fast. For questions, email Paul HERE.
And that’s just us. What the rest of the industry does, your station’s plans, or your own career moves, we’ll be watching carefully throughout what promises to be an exciting second half.
Thanks for reading our blog and we’ll navigate through all of this together.
Happy Independence Day and we’ll be back with fresh content on Monday.
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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Hi Fred,
I read an interesting article today about HomePod, Apple’s new streaming audio service that is being launched this fall.
If I understand it correctly, Apple will be turning the iPhone into an voice-controlled audio receiver for streaming and on-demand audio content. In looking at it closer, this looks like Apple’s hi-tech response to Spotify, Pandora, and Sirius and a way to make it easier for listeners to find and access radio and podcast content.
What do you think the impact of HomePod will be on broadcast radio … as we know it?
As I’ve said before, I look forward to your articles. It’s amazing how you can do it every day.
Best,
Steve Edelman
Steve, I don’t know that we know enough about Apple’s plans to conclude anything at this point. But that said, they’re late to the party on this one, but none of us should ever count them out. I’m finding that many of these streaming/voice technologies are doubled-edged swords for radio as we’ve known the industry. Is the “discoverability” of stations as optimal as it could be. And up against a seemingly infinite number of audio choices – in a more accessible environment – how does radio hold up? That’s what’s keeping me up at night. Thanks for the kind words and for reading our blog.
Great Update. Radio IS Moving Ahead! And, the best is yet to come.
Many of us have July broadcast anniversaries with start-ups and new assignments. Thanks Fred & happy, safe and USA Hooray to all!.
Clark, as always, thanks for the upbeat forecast. Hopefully, radio will keep up with these warm holiday temperatures. Have a great weekend.