Our Latest Industry Blogs

April showers, May flowers, June PRTS.  Perhaps not romantic or even memorable, but for all of us at Jacobs Media and PRPD (now known as PMCC or Public Media Content Collective), June is the month where the fieldwork begins on the biggest study of public radio in America.  And this year’s effort will follow suit…

The big news story this month has been campus unrest making its way through college campuses across America. At Columbia University, its college radio station distinguished itself with stellar coverage of that school’s student protests.

In response to questions from two readers, the Washington Post’s data department tested the appeal of 20 different formats/genres across an extensive array of national demographic groups. And in an impressive showing, one of them took top honors in 17 of 20 categories. To learn the big winner, just click on “Read More.”

The “AM For Every Vehicle Act” continues to make progress in D.C., no simple task given these contentious times. But hearings earlier this week had their share of fireworks and even controversy, thanks to a “crank’ idea from the auto industry. No one said it would be easy.

This week has been a rarity in the AI world, a week where there have been no major press releases, upgrades, mergers, affiliations, or PR disasters. Behind the scenes, there have been previews of upcoming things to look forward to, such as a recurring rumor about Apple both teaming with ChatGPT for upcoming iPhone releases and Microsoft releasing a…

The loneliest job in the radio station? Hands down, it’s the PD. Everyone in the station likes to think they’re a program director – until the book comes out. And if it’s taken a tumble, the PD is likely suffering alone. Today’s #TBT post is an homage to all those radio programmers – past and present – who are cranking out multiple music logs before holiday weekends while everyone else at the station is out the door, making out those weekend schedules, and taking complaint calls from angry listeners. Hats off to the PD.

When the going gets tough, the tough find reveneue somewhere.

These days, radio’s directors of sales have to creatively divine money wherever they can – even in unconventional places.  But when you’ve got ample audience in unpopular demographics, you’d better make the best of a challenging situation. A very popular brand you all know has launched a slick media campaign unashamedlly targetting mature adults. If they’re right, there will be important lessons here for radio broadcasters.

Playing the ratings and revenue game has become precarious for radio in 2024 – whether you work for commercial or public radio stations. In an environment where ad dollars are increasingly hard to come by and the competition seems to be expanding exponentiallly, radio organizations need innovative solutions to traditional challenges. The answer may be puzzling in more ways than one. But, of course, that’s the game we’re playing. (Click “read more” to escape from my lame puns.)

Yesterday’s industry presentation of Techsurvey 2024 seemed to be the right data at the right time. But to get a sense from YOU about what stood out, I asked webinar attendees to tell me their “one thing” takeaway from the study. The response was excellent, as you’ll read in today’s post.

The last several issues of this AI newsletter have covered a lot of ground from AI workflow to new AI technology to audience perceptions of AI.  But none of it matters if the advertisers aren’t on board. Below is a fact-packed conversation with Corey Elliott of Borrell and Associates that gives insight into what local advertisers are thinking…