Jacobs Media is the largest radio consulting firm in the United States specializing in Rock formats. The company, formed in 1983 by Fred Jacobs, created the Classic Rock format, and has been a leading force in Alternative and Mainstream Rock. Currently, Jacobs Media services are used by nearly every major broadcasting company, including CBS, Entercom, Emmis, ABC, Cox, Greater Media, Citadel, Journal, and others. Jacobs Media has also provided consulting services to The Corporation For Public Broadcasting, National Public Radio, and public radio stations around the country.
Jacobs Media has been fortunate to sign on or work with some of the most successful radio stations in Rock radio history, in large, medium, and small markets alike. A key to the Jacobs Media success story is the company’s commitment to providing a broad array of services to its clients. No other consulting firm offers a more complete package, including strategic guidance, research, format expertise, talent expertise, sales consultation, promotional ideation, event marketing, and digital services. Jacobs Media consulting has been formulated to be a major tool for achieving ratings and revenue success.
Jacobs Media is the only consultancy of its kind to utilize a sales arm, designed to maximize ratings by building revenue. While the company provides top-notch programming consultation, its sales expertise in Rock-based formats provides the knowledge for local and national reps to brand stations in an increasingly difficult selling environment.
Because of founder Fred Jacobs’ background in audience research with Frank N. Magid & Associates, Jacobs Media provides music and qualitative research for its client stations. Whether moderating focus groups and listener advisory panels, or conducting auditorium music testing, Jacobs Media’s research expertise is respected throughout the industry by broadcasters and audience research firms alike.
Jacobs Media is also a leading proponent in the development of Web strategies for radio, as well as for Internet companies. In this process, the company has created a variety of successful Internet-based strategies. The company’s Web site was one of the first of its kind in the radio consulting industry. jacobsmedia.com stands out as a unique element in the company’s arsenal. It is a major asset, providing a daily morning show prep service, multi-dimensional memos and advisories, a comprehensive section for sales management, and timely communiqués that clients can quickly access. Jacobs Media’s Web site distinguished itself during the September 11th crisis as a guiding force for its clients, and the radio industry.
Jacobs Media has now added ethnographic research to its arsenal. This research format involves interviewing respondents in their “natural habitats” – in their homes, offices, or in their vehicles. This allows us to observe behavior, rather than just asking about it. Leading companies such as Procter & Gamble, Microsoft, General Mills, and Nissan are now including ethnographic research into their strategic mix in order to better understand their customers and clients.
Jacobs Media is highly regarded as a leading strategist, both inside and outside the radio industry. The company’s "skill set" encompasses programming content, branding and marketing, Internet strategies, and sales results. Clients as diverse as Amazon.com, the Ford Motor Company, Dodge, Arbitron, Procter & Gamble, Sylvan Learning Centers, Playboy Enterprises, Taubman Malls, and MTV/VH-1 have utilized Jacobs Media’s expertise.
Jacobs Media is also proud to have been honored by several industry publications throughout the years. The company has been chosen as the radio industry’s Rock/Alternative Consultants of the Year by Billboard Monitor every year since 1996 until this awards program was retired. In 1998, Album Network voted Fred Jacobs one of the most influential contributors to radio in its history. In 2006, he was elected to the Michigan Association of Broadcasters’ Hall of Fame.