





from Jacobs Media
On the eve of Morning Show Boot Camp 36 in San Diego, I’m putting the finishing touches on my presentation of our AQ6 research study. Made up completely of commercial radio talent, more than 500 DJs, hosts, and personalities weighed in this year on a wide variety of topics. Of them all, it’s their opinions about where AI is headed that stand out as most telling and insightful. Today’s blog begins to paint that all-important picture of a radio industry in flux, looking for answers about AI.
Read MoreCOVID was a major fork in the road for myriad businesses. But you may be surprised to learn that hip, venerable, and bold Nike is one of those brands that has profoundly suffered since the pandemic. How Nike is staging out its comeback is a great primer for all of us in radio trying to nurture, grow, and sustain our best station brands. Some teach “Learn from the best,” but I subscribe to the theory you can learn from the biggest screwups if you’re paying attention. So, slip on those Air Jordans and click on “READ MORE.”
Read MoreHelping Classic Rock stations fight back against that dreaded “demographic cliff” has become one of my missions. After all, how do you keep 60 year-old music that is at least two decades or more older than the target audience sounding fresh and vital? Now, imagine what Classical-formatted stations are up against, specializing in music that’s often FOUR CENTURIES old? But innovative organizations – in and out of radio – are finding ways. And their creative, resilient solutions are something every radio station, regardless of format, should be aware of. Maestro, just click “read more.”
Read MoreIt has been an interesting week here at JacoBLOG world headquarters. Our Monday and Tuesday posts turned out to be a two-parter, breaking down some…
Read MoreThirteen years ago, Tim Cook replaced Apple co-founder Steve Jobs. And during that time, the value of Apple has exploded exponentially. The art of succession is one of the most important tasks a manager undertakes, whether you’re making smartphones or working in radio. What are the key qualities that go into determining “who’s next” and how can executive teams ensure the best choice is made?
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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