Fred Jacobs Makes '50 Names To Know' List

Fred Jacobs

Proving it’s always possible to evolve and re-invent, Crain’s Detroit has named broadcast pioneer Fred Jacobs as one of Michigan’s “50 Names To Know In Information Technology.”

Known to many in the radio industry as the father of the Classic Rock format, Jacobs Media has launched innovative research projects including its industry Techsurveys, as well as its presence in the connected car space via the DASH Conference. Jacobs has led the radio broadcasting industry into the mobile era with the creation of jacapps, radio’s leading mobile application developer.

In honoring Jacobs, Crain’s Detroit notes, “Jacobs Media is an example of an old-school marketing company adapting to the post-iPhone world.” Founded 100 days after the opening of Apple’s iTunes App Store in 2008, jacapps has developed more than 1,000 apps worldwide for the radio industry, as well as for numerous non-radio clients.

“Back in 2008, our Techsurveys began showing how radio listeners were altering their media consumption,” notes Jacobs. “We saw the iPhone was hot, and had a strong feeling radio’s future was to participate in the smartphone revolution. Eight years later, it’s about ensuring radio apps are adapted to the Apple CarPlay and Android Auto ecosystems, retaining radio’s front and center position in car dashboards.”