When we think about prospective programmers and jocks, we often typecast candidates as Type A’s or Type B’s. Now it turns out the Japanese are focused on much different "types."
According to The New York Times, they’re into blood types. While most Americans know their Social Security numbers and maybe even their cholesterol levels, a strong majority of Japanese know their blood types. That’s because in their culture, having Type O or Type A blood says a lot about the kind of person you are.
That might explain why many in Japan are predicting great things for new Boston Red Sox pitcher, Daisuke Matsuzaka, a Type O (listed on Japanese players’ trading cards along with height, weight, etc.). The Japanese will tell you that Type O’s are typically "warriors," exude self-confidence, ambition, and a strong goal orientation. Those are clearly strong qualities for baseball players, and in other careers. It’s noteworthy that Ronald Reagan, among others, was a Type O.
On the other hand, Seattle Mariner Ichiro Suzuki is a Type B – a "hunter," typified by creativity, impulsiveness, and being a free spirit. And in a way, he plays baseball that way, too, always finding new ways to get on base, making the most of his running skills and sliding ability.
So maybe instead of evaluating talent based on their "pipes" or the stations they worked for in the past, we ought to start considering whether there’s actually something to this blood type thing. Maybe it could be a predictor of the style and character of a PD or a DJ you’re about to hire. If nothing else, maybe it’s a great morning show bit or a new opening line that replaces "What’s your sign?"
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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So…Fred…what’s your blood type?
That’s the funny thing – I don’t know, and when I called my physician to find out, they told me they don’t test for blood type. So, I know my cholesterol numbers, but I don’t know blood type. I will find out for my next physical. What’s yours?