One of the real beauties of designing and conducting research is how much you learn.
That’s been the backstory for our 30+ Techsurveys, conducted for commercial, public, and Christian radio. We produce these studies to help our hundreds and hundreds of stakeholder stations better understand what their audiences are doing when they’re not listening to radio.
But truth be told, we at Jacobs Media learn a ton by spending time with this data, melding it with focus and L.A.B. groups, and connecting it up with the many conferences and conventions were are able to attend and enjoy, whether it’s CES, Podcast Movement, or the Public Radio Program Directors Content Conference where I am today.
One of the most eye-opening studies we’ve ever conducted is AQ, our talent-on-talent study we partnered with Don Anthony’s Morning Show Boot Camp to produce. It’s the first-ever study of air personalities in radio – who they are, what they feel, and their visions for their careers and the radio industry.
This year’s AQ2 study provides the first tracking data we have. And it also gave us an opportunity to craft new questions. One of my favorites? It’s based on one of the cliche interview questions that musicians always get hit up with: “So, who are your biggest influences?”
For our 1,000+ members of the talent community, we came up with an open-ended variation on that theme:
“Which current radio personalities/shows are most influential to you?”
There were no prompts or talent names to choose from. It was strictly a write-in vote, and our AQ2 respondents could come up with as many as three options.
And by combining the total number of responses from all the selections, we created the word cloud below to illustrate the winners, as well as the runner-ups. As is the case with these visual representations of research, the larger the name, the more popular he/she/they are among their peers.
Pretty definitive, don’t you think?
All told, Howard Stern was written in by three in ten (30%) of those casting votes. In a very distant second place is Rush Limbaugh (8%), followed by Dave Ryan and Elvis Duran (both with 6%), and Bobby Bones and Dan Patrick (both with 5%). Now these are big names in the radio business – personalities who are at the top of their respective games. And Stern whupped them all.
Howard took first place rankings among both men and women air personalities, as well as Millennials, Gen Xers, and Baby Boomers. He was on top among those in both diary and PPM markets. Howard also took top honors among respondents who entered the survey via a music station, while Limbaugh came in first among fans of spoken word radio – the only major category in which Stern did not land in first place.
Overall, an amazing performance by a guy who’s been off terrestrial radio for more than a dozen years. This AQ2 survey question underscores the long-term impact Howard’s had on radio, including the next generation of on-air talent.
And yet, Howard Stern continues to be very misunderstood – and not just by the FCC and those who conveniently stereotyped him a “shock radio DJ.”
But by hundreds and even thousands of his fellow DJs.
Howard’s talent, his approach, his passion, his work ethic, and his attention to detail have been misunderstood or overlooked by other distractions that shinier and more controversial.
I’ve been in umpteen morning show meetings where prep often becomes a topic of conversation. And I’ve heard many personalities beg to have more freedom, to be able to chat like Howard, Robin, and the ensemble cast on topics, whether it’s the news, pop culture, sports, or celebrity interviews.
The truth is, Howard and his team make it look and sound simple. But it’s anything but. And that’s part of the magic of his show and his cult of personality. It sounds authentic, unrehearsed, and real. But the fact is, Stern’s show is calculated, strategic, and just plain smart.
In fact, the entire process of making it sound casual, conversation, and easy doesn’t just organically happen. It requires work, planning, a team effort, vision, and attention paid to everything.
Now, while I had a meeting or two with Howard back in the early K-Rock/New York days, I had no idea what his regimen looked like as his syndication network blossomed or especially when he joined SiriusXM.
Until now.
That’s because a radio friend sent me a one-hour YouTube video called “Derek from Texas talks about home mortgages.” In reality, it’s a video surreptitiously taped at a Howard Stern team meeting back in 2013. And it’s a rare look behind the scenes of the most successful radio show of all time, but also a glimpse inside Howard’s head. Yes, it’s a rant at times, but that’s merely a reflection of Stern’s deep passion, drive, and desire to produce a great show.
He doesn’t need the money. After all these years, contracts, bonuses, and other revenue sources, Howard could have bought an island and retired years ago. But while his bank account and stock portfolio matters to him (as much as it means to any of us), it has always been clear Stern has a higher purpose in mind.
As not just a consultant and programmer, but as a fan of great radio, I geeked out on this video. I’ve watched it three times. It’s a remarkable and rare look at Howard, exhorting his troops to work harder, smarter, and more strategically for the good of the show. Yes, he’s on a stage, jocking PowerPoint slides – not the environment in which you’re used to watching him ply his craft.
The theme is simple – it’s Howard’s master plan about how he’s going to take the show – with the help of his staff – to that all-important next level. The title of his presentation says it all:
REVOLUTION 2013
Where are we going?
How are we getting there?
Early on, he shows us a shot of his home office, but more importantly, his process – how he thinks about and organizes his show, what keeps him up at night, and even his dreams.
After watching the video, you can’t help but come away being more impressed with Howard and what he’s accomplished. There’s nothing casual or happenstance about this show. These are not people sitting around, shooting the shit about what they did last weekend. It’s calculated – and to hear Howard tell it – it needed to be more focused and coordinated with him on his staff. At least that’s the way it was six years ago.
A major focus of the video revolves around guests on the show – how they’re recruited, persuaded, cajoled, marketed to, and even treated. Howard’s goal back then was two A-list guests and two B-list guests per week (on the three shows produced). And he step-by-step goes through the process of what needs to be done in order attract and entice superstars and their publicist teams to say “yes” to the Howard Stern Show.
As he exhorts at one point, “It’s like we’ve Jehovah’s Witnesses. We knock on people’s doors.”
Stern’s manifesto goes into exhaustive detail: the look of the studio, the appearance of the staff, a remodeled green room, thank-you notes, and every little touch that contributes to upping the show’s game and attracting better guests.
You also get the feeling that Stern’s perfectionism is another quality that greatly contributes to his brand’s success. As he reminds his team, “Everything we touch needs polishing.”
It must have worked. Six years later, and the show is bigger than ever. More importantly, Howard has emerged as the best interviewer out there. Ask anybody in the media business. I’ve heard people in both commercial and public radio say he’s as good as – if not better than – Terry Gross, host of NPR’s “Fresh Air.” Not bad for a guy who was once famous for swinging across the stage dressed as Fartman.
I’ve been sitting on this video for weeks, expecting it to be discovered and blasted all over social media. Or somehow someone at one of the radio industry’s trade publications would have stumbled onto it.
But that hasn’t happened. And recently, someone took it down from YouTube.
I expected this might happen, so I taped it. It’s ready for you to watch it but hurry (in the event Don Buchwald sends the cease & desist).
Howard may be pissed off at me for writing this post and including the video. And if so, apologies.
But he would have likely done the same thing with a commodity this fascinating. And I truly believe that radio and personality shows will truly benefit from seeing this crash course in radio and branding done right. It deserves to be seen. Not just because it’s a great lesson for fledgling radio stars, but also because it only enhances and brighten Howard’s rich legacy.
He is that good, and his fans, critics, and everyone else in his orbit will appreciate what truly goes into the show.
Sadly, Stern’s sermon from the mount abruptly ends at the 1-hour mark, so we have no idea how long this lecture – or rant – lasted. I could have sat through another hour.
Congrats, King of All Media, on earning most-influential status among your brothers and sisters behind the mic.
You probably couldn’t have imagined this would have happened back in the 70s when you started this journey.
Or perhaps you knew it all along.
P.S. We’re hosting a free webinar that takes a deep dive into AQ2, our talent on talent study. It’s Wednesday, September 4 at 2pm ET. You can register for it here.
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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Note to air-staff after reading this great article:
TEAM, I don’t expect any of you to become the next Howard Stern…but you certainly have the capacity to be the next Scott Carpenter (Dr. Don on the Bull)…who started here in Springfield and went on to become a CMA award winning air talent.
What you do IS a profession. The difference is in the “how” and “why” you do what you do, and the work and expectations you are prepared to put into your craft.
Please read the blog below from Fred Jacobs…
Appreciate it, Scott. It is one of the best “teaching moments” I’ve even seen in my decades of radio.
Rare glimpse into the genius that is Howard — much to be learned and gleaned from this incredible video
Impressive, right?
Curiously, what you call Impressive, we call the last breath of a dying man, desperate for celebrities, the fact that people should “create 10 twitter accounts” to beg people to come on the show is a bizarre and ultimately futile grasp.
Everyone familiar with the “Pelican Brief” as we call it, will tell you that you are in the minority in your assessment.
I appreciate your POV on this, but the show certainly came into its own on SiriusXM after this little get-together.
The moral of the story?
NEVER TAKE YOUR AUDIENCE FOR GRANTED. No matter how long you’ve been on the air.
We have to work hard for those ears every day. Know why I’ve had great ratings success everywhere I’ve worked? I polish the little tiny bits (everything we touch), and they all add up.
Here’s an unfortunate modern day radio story: I’ve noticed lately (like the past 15 years or so) that stations don’t update station promos any more. “Friday, Halloran will be murdering people downtown. Come join KFART for a fun day”
That copy will not get updated. That promo will run as is till Friday.
We always used to update: THIS FRIDAY, TOMORROW, TODAY.
This is what Howard is talking about. Attention to detail.
But it’s more effective, hopefully, coming from Stern because he leavens it with with energy and profanity. My two favorite words ending in Y…..
Max, as someone who has ranted more than a few times in front of airstaffs, I thought about you when I watched the video, knowing you would be one of those who’d appreciate Howard’s intensity and tenacity (my two favorite words ending in Y). He doesn’t need to do this. But as long as he does, it better well be the most entertaining radio out there, whether on terrestrial or satellite. Now, take a deep breath.
This website is a GTD shill and clearly means nothing. Cover your tracks better, guys. How much does Buchwald Inc. pay for such a$$-kissery?
Stern is on the second-to-last swirl down the toilet. Search for his name on google trends since 2004 and you’ll see a palpable downward trajectory.
Jim, Buchwald doesn’t pay a dime, and you may haven noticed there’s no advertising on the site or in the blog. The opinions are mind – although in this case, the voting across more than 1,000 radio personalities was the real deal. You may not like the results – many people take issue with research and polls that don’t confirm their believes – but it’s legit.