Our Latest Industry Blogs

Politics on the radio has a long history, supercharged by the late Rush Limbaugh and the many who have followed his example over the last several decades. As for everyone else—that is, personalities on non-talk stations—most programmers, managers, researchers, and consultants are in lock-step agreement: talking politics is likely to be toxic. And now we’re…

Radio’s most unique conference, Morning Show Boot Camp, convened last week in Austin. In its 37th year, Boot Camp remains a vital event where passionate and energetic personalities gather in order to connect, learn from one another, and help set their brands apart from their many competitors in audio. It is essential to understand what makes personalities tick in 2025, amidst a changing radio backdrop.

As analysts continue to break down what happened in the 2024 election, the “bro vote” is often attributed to swinging the results in the red direction. And in the world of old and new media, these now-familiar factors contributed to winning over audiences (mostly guys), generating loyalty, and building new personality brands. Is it too late for FM radio to step into the breach to fill the void?

Are you a fan of “stupid?” Millions of Americans are if you consider the overwhelming response to two newly released films—one in theaters and the other on the most popular streaming platform. Would a “stupid strategy” work on the radio in 2025?

Consumers are suffering from media overload, thanks to the incessant torrent of content being hurled at them. And in the middle of it all is your radio station. How do you capture audience attention with this much angst and stress in the air? Today’s #TBT blog post has some answers, some good news for radio, and a :30 test that will tell you a lot about your own ability to stay focused. I hope you pass it.

It may feel like business as usual in radio as Q2 results are being released. But after last month’s “claw back” of public radio funds, and the subsequent shutdown of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, it is clear the environment is both fluid and unpredictable. Today’s post takes on this complicated topic in the hope it stimulates a positive and constructive conversation about where radio is headed in 2025 and while it still resonates today.

The Irish playwright George Bernard Shaw once quipped, “Youth is wasted on the young.” But for better or worse, they are that next generation of consumers who might be more available to radio than we think. Today’s blog post looks at the relative importance of age—on our brands, on our staffs, and on the music we listen to. Hopefully, you’ll enjoy reading it as much as I did writing it. – FJ

Over the weekend, the radio community lost another icon. But I can guarantee none of you reading this post ever had the opportunity to work or hang out with her. Loni Anderson, “WKRP in Cincinnati’s” wily receptionist, passed away just a couple of days before her 80th birthday. And today’s blog post is a tribute to her, women in radio, and receptionists everywhere.

“Happy Friday” – and welcome to a new month. It’s the perfect moment for some light reading here at JacoBLOG – the return of a special edition of our “Junk Drawer” feature, a handful of stories that hopefully entertains and even amazes. Back on Monday and a think piece you’ll like.