Our Latest Industry Blogs

We’re witnessing a major shift in users’ knowledge and understanding of AI. Results from the Jacobs Media Techsurvey 2024 earlier this year showed that only 43% of radio listeners were unfamiliar with the technology. Seventy percent of listeners across the board—from Gen Z to Boomers—agreed that the rise of AI was cause for alarm. In the six months…

We’re living in an era where it’s become fashionable to “double-down” on whatever wrong-headed strategy we’ve chosen for our radio stations or our companies. The very act of fessing up and admitting we screwed up is a rarity. Back in 2022 when this post first published, we were witnessing one of those rare moments when responsible executives were actually steping up to the mic and taking the heat. Of course that didn’t last, but it was the thrust of this post. And I’m coming clean. Here are three things I clearly got wrong. Hit READ MORE for the reveal.

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.

COVID 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.”

It 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 of the systemic problems keeping public radio stations on their heels in what has become a challenging – and in some cases, tragic – year for many legacy leaders, along…

Thirteen 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?

If you’re in radio, you’re no stranger to contests. But did you know there was once a national contest to try to figure out how to monetize broadcast radio. It happened exactly 100 years ago, and you just might be surprised to learn what was the winning entry.

In part 2 of “Is Public Radio A Victim Of Its Own Org Chart?” we take a deeper dive into how “brilliant at the basics” programming and on-air marketing could help turn around a particularly challenging year.

Sometimes the organizational chart at a company says more about how it operates than the actual people who fill those job titles. In general, radio has been slow to adapt to audience and industry changes when it comes to how most stations are structured. In another year when many radio stations are facing difficult challenges, who reports to whom and who’s in charge of what can be critical factors in determining ultimate success…or failure. Just ask someone you know who’s in public radio.