
from Jacobs Media
For a half century, I’ve conducted research designed to better understand the attitudes, perceptions, and behaviors of the radio listening audience. Some studies address highly complex questions where the answers may be elusive. But others are fundamental and basic questions that are easy to ask and answer. And yet most radio programmers don’t know these essential truths, even if they’ve been working at the same station a decade or more. You may know your cume, your time-spent listening, and even the gender, age, and location of that “heavy deep” panelist in your metro, but do you know the answer to this morning’s simple question? Take my challenge and click “READ MORE” below.
Read MoreDon’t look now, but an apparent new marketing trend is “rebranding”—new logos and stylings for existing brands. For others, however, it’s more radical surgery—changing a brand’s name altogether. Today’s post talks about the process of refacing a brand—what works, what doesn’t, and how managers can avoid the inevitable “sand traps.”
Read MoreThe pro basketball and hockey playoffs are heating up. That means more locker room celebrations. It also means those painful press conferences where the star or coach of the losing team has to explain what happened. As radio competitors, we can often learn more from those difficult Q&A sessions than from the champagne showers or victory parades. And that was the case in today’s #TBT post from two years ago when the team that was shockingly upset by an underdog had a lot to say that those of us in radio can all take to heart.
Read MoreWhat’s the value of a hot new innovative idea? We opened that door yesterday with a blog post about the rise of TikTok as a social media success that has enjoyed impact across the entire space. That story reminded some of the innovation that wasn’t—the much-hyped Quibi. It’s a tragic tale of misplaced hype and billions of dollars wasted on an experiment that was either ahead of its time or not so innovative in the first place.
Read MoreSocial media continues to evolve. Proof of that in 2025 is the rapid growth, maturation, and buzz for TikTok. If you get beyond the controversy over its ownership, TikTok has emerged as a reliable tool for not just catering to teens, but attracting older consumers. That’s right—your listeners. Let’s take a look under the hood.
Read MoreFor a half century, I’ve conducted research designed to better understand the attitudes, perceptions, and behaviors of the radio listening audience. Some studies address highly complex questions where the answers may be elusive. But others are fundamental and basic questions that are easy to ask and answer. And yet most radio programmers don’t know these essential truths, even if they’ve been working at the same station a decade or more. You may know your cume, your time-spent listening, and even the gender, age, and location of that “heavy deep” panelist in your metro, but do you know the answer to this morning’s simple question? Take my challenge and click “READ MORE” below.
Read MoreDon’t look now, but an apparent new marketing trend is “rebranding”—new logos and stylings for existing brands. For others, however, it’s more radical surgery—changing a brand’s name altogether. Today’s post talks about the process of refacing a brand—what works, what doesn’t, and how managers can avoid the inevitable “sand traps.”
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Radio has enjoyed long periods throughout its storied past where habitual listening became deeply rooted in the American psyche. But in recent years, big historical moments like COVID have spurred behavioral and perceptual shifts that are significant. In today’s post, I’ve picked out three areas where the data suggest consumers are modifying their lives—and perhaps their radio listening. See if you agree with my logic and let me know how these shifts impact your ongoing success.
Read MoreIn an overloaded competitive media environment, it is especially challenging for any local radio station to stand out and get noticed. And that brings me to perhaps my most rewarding consulting experience and the dumbest radio contest you’ve ever heard of. I promise.
Read MoreThere are many analogies to last week’s selection of a new pope and a media organization having to suddenly replacing its CEO. Having done it for centuries, the Vatican has it down. And there are lots of things broadcast radio entities can learn from conclave and how it carries out its charge. The selection of an American to become the next pope was a bold one, and today’s blog post lists seven lessons radio companies can learn from this amazing tradition.
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