Jacobs Media Celebrates its 40th Anniversary. So Now What?

Four decades ago, Fred Jacobs headed to the NAB Radio Show to announce the launch of a new research and consulting firm, following a successful five-year stint with ABC Radio.

Still-wet business cards in hand, Fred flew to San Francisco, camped out on the floor of Tom Bender’s spacious hotel room in the St. Francis, and proceeded to network his new venture. And Jacobs Media (then known as Media Strategies) was off and running.

Since those humble beginnings, Jacobs Media has developed innovative formats, strategies, and products for radio broadcasters:

• The creation of the Classic Rock format (1983) with Tom Bender
• The launch of the Edge™ Alternative format (1988) with a push from Max Tolkoff
• The first all-industry email database-driven research study, Techsurvey, is the largest radio research undertaking in the world (2004)
• Radio’s first ethnographic studies, including the innovative “Bedroom Project” (2007) and “Goin’ Mobile” (2010), both in collaboration with Arbitron and Dr. Ed Cohen
• The jacapps mobile apps startup (2008) under the leadership of the late Tim Davis
• The DASH Conferences (2013-15) bringing radio and the auto industries together in collaboration with Radio Ink
• Broadcasters Meet Podcasters sessions at Podcast Movement (2018)
• Jacobs Media’s CES Tours for radio execs (2017)

Over the years, Jacobs Media has worked with just about every noteworthy company in radio, umpteen personality shows, and many radio and TV networks.

Current and former clients include Hubbard, Beasley, Townsquare, Alpha, Connoisseur, Cox, Saga, Zimmer, NRG, Mid-West-Family, Meruelo, Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, MTV Networks (MTV and Vh1), Playboy, NPR, APM, and BBC. Jacobs Media also performed research and consulting services for Arbitron, Infinity, Granum, Greater Media, Hoker Broadcasting, Metroplex, Ottaway Communications, Noble, Chancellor, Emmis, Entercom, Bonneville, ABC, Rogers, Astral, Bell Media, Pattison, and many others.

Fred and Paul Jacobs

“We could not have worked for all these companies and endured for four decades without the confidence and trust of some true media giants. We are especially grateful to the many broadcasters who believed in us early on,” notes Fred Jacobs.

The company’s blog – JacoBLOG – has been a must-read for radio and media professional for years. The blog was launched in 2005 at the urging of Tim Davis.

In the early years, Fred caved to the pressures of nepotism, hiring brother Bill in 1986, and Paul in 1991. Over the years, some outstanding consultants and specialists have spent significant amount of their careers with Jacobs Media, helping the company grow and excel.

Paul and Fred Jacobs have co-operated the company since the mid-'90s, with the goal of providing thought leadership and innovation. Jacobs Media has been especially active in helping traditional broadcasters make the leap to digital.

In 2024, Jacobs Media will launch a new industry initiative that will be announced soon. As Paul Jacobs explains, “We’ve got something in the works we anticipate will become a go-to event for media pros in both the broadcast and digital realms. Fred and I plan to continue our quest to rack up even more Delta miles as we pursue the next phase of the company’s development.”

Over the years, Jacobs Media has been honored with “Consultant/Programmer of the Year” awards from Radio & Records, All Access, and Radio Ink. Both Fred and Paul have received the Conclave’s Rockwell Award, the NAB’s National Radio Award, Michigan State University’s Outstanding Alumni Awards from the school's College of Communication Arts & Sciences, and induction in the Michigan Association of Broadcasters’ Hall of Fame. Fred was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in 2018, the first researcher/consultant ever to be so honored.

Fred sums up the company’s amazing run: “It’s been an incredible ride for us these past 40 years. We doubt we’ll be around to celebrate four more decades of Jacobs Media, but we’ve got plenty of gas in the tank, and ready to tackle the next set of media challenges and opportunities. Thanks to everyone who we’ve been associated with these past 40 years.”

For more information, contact Fred Jacobs at Fred@jacobsmedia.com or Paul Jacobs at Paul@jacobsmedia.com to hear stories from their four decades at Jacobs Media.