





from Jacobs Media
At the end of a momentous week, we look back at Monday’s epic news in the AI sector, the release of a new AI innovation from a Chinese company. DeepSeek took the tech world by storm, triggering a one-day crash of market leader Nvidia. And it raised questions about how easily this sector could be disrupted. Just like radio. We turned to our AI maven, Chris Brunt, for clarity and perspective. Today’s guest blog post provides some “AIsplainin'” but it raises questions about where media and technology are going – and how we can future-proof our assets. Buckle up!
Read MoreMedia personalities often live conflicted lives – loved and adored, but also insecure and guarded. Today’s #TBT is about a “brush with fame” encounter I had back in 2018 with Jeopardy’s iconic host, Alex Trebek. At the time, Trebek was undergoing a life-shattering experience – a stage 4 pancreatic cancer diagnosis and an unprecedented outpouring of emotion from his fans. There are lessons here for media personalities, including those behind the mic on the radio. It’s about appreciating what you have, something we can all afford to experience.
Read MoreAI and humanity. If that sounds oxymoronic to you, you’re not alone. Many are concerned Artificial Intelligence will leave creativity, empathy, and warmth on the cutting room floor. But, in fact, most companies displaying their AI wares at CES this year went out of their way to explain the role humanity plays in this fast-moving technology. I’ve got it all packaged for you, along with an introduction to one of the most powerful execs at Spotify charged with “picking the hits.”
Read MoreWant to get a good radio debate going? Just bring up the true value of “local” topic and watch the fun. But when it comes to local WEATHER, there is no debate. That’s because most people place great value on weather information that covers where they live and work. Recently a broadcaster heard that message loud and clear when they fired their entire team of 100 meteorologists across their group of television changes. They started a whole different type of storm. Radio can most definitely learn a lesson or two from this corporate debacle.
Read MoreProgramming a radio station has never been a simple task, made more challenging by today’s environment where staff and budgets are at a premium. Right now, Barrett Media is in the process of handing out awards to the best program directors in America, a worthy endeavor. Problem is, IMHO they have missed the best one. He’s the subject of today’s post.
Read MoreFor a heritage radio station, there’s nothing more exhilarating AND daunting as planning for a big station birthday—the ones that end with a zero. The upside is the opportunity to remind the audience and advertisers you’ve been around a long time, but the downside is reinforcing you’re long in the tooth, doing the same things in the same way you have for decades. Fortunately, there’s a national brand now celebrating its 40th year in business. Rather than going down the tried and true path, they’re burning the playbook. Let’s look into how it’s going.
Read MoreLife is transitory – for radio and for all of us. Maybe it took a year like 2020 to remind us that it can come and it can go – just like that. Now here we are in another “moment” – a very unsettled 2025. What can we learn from those prreviously tumultuous times?
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For a heritage radio station, there’s nothing more exhilarating AND daunting as planning for a big station birthday—the ones that end with a zero. The upside is the opportunity to remind the audience and advertisers you’ve been around a long time, but the downside is reinforcing you’re long in the tooth, doing the same things in the same way you have for decades. Fortunately, there’s a national brand now celebrating its 40th year in business. Rather than going down the tried and true path, they’re burning the playbook. Let’s look into how it’s going.
Read MoreLife is transitory – for radio and for all of us. Maybe it took a year like 2020 to remind us that it can come and it can go – just like that. Now here we are in another “moment” – a very unsettled 2025. What can we learn from those prreviously tumultuous times?
Read MoreInternet memes come and go, usually at a rapid pace. So, in today’s JacoBLOG, you might want to pay attention today because next week, it will be something else. AI Action Figures may be just the thing for radio personalities looking to warm things up and bring a sense of fun and whimsy to their shows and the stations they work for. Inspired by a story Chris Brunt dug up, today’s blog post takes a break from our “radio drama.” Hope you enjoy.
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