Over the past couple of years, Jacobs Media has been providing consulting, research, and analysis for individual Public Radio stations, the Corporation For Public Broadcasting, and National Public Radio.

The Environmental Scan – In 2000, Jacobs Media was selected by The Corporation For Public Broadcasting to create "The Environmental Scan," an in-depth overview of new competitive threats to Public Radio from new technologies, including Internet audio streaming and Satellite radio, along with an analysis on the state of commercial radio. This breakthrough report provided Public Radio with a view of the changing competitive landscape and provided recommendations for consideration.

If you’d like to receive a copy of this report click here.

The "Territories Project" – Concurrent with the development of the "Scan," Jacobs Media was commissioned to implement programming and Internet strategies in three select Public Radio markets. This 12-month project involved the development and education of Web personnel at these stations, the implementation and re-design of station Web sites and Internet strategies, and the integration of these strategies with on-air programming.

Several of the participating stations experienced success in areas as diverse as online fundraising, database, and Web traffic. Jacobs Media’s Web specialist, Tim Davis, spearheaded the "Territories Project" and continues to provide Internet consulting services to select Public Radio clients.

Research – Jacobs Media has conducted focus group research for individual Public Radio stations. This research has helped participating stations develop a high degree of understanding on the mood and needs of their members and listeners. Jacobs Media has also managed perceptual research projects in conjunction with outside research companies.

M*Star Project – Jacobs Media is a key player in the M*Star project, which was designed to analyze the potential of audio streaming for Public Radio stations. We conducted a comprehensive Web Poll of nine station’s members and listeners who listen to these stations online. The results of this study say a lot about the way Public Radio stations should view the potential value of their audio streaming efforts. In addition, the results speak to the issue of how Public Radio can generate revenue from its Internet activities.