Category: Radio

Fred Jacobs, Media Professional Elected to National Radio Hall of Fame

Post author By Erin Detavernier
Post date July 13, 2018

We are proud to announce that Fred Jacobs, our founder of jācapps and sister company Jacobs Media, was elected to the National Radio Hall of Fame!
The National Radio Hall of Fame recognizes talent from today’s diverse programming formats, as well as the pioneers who shaped the medium during its infancy. Four of the categories were decided by a voting participant panel comprised of nearly 1,000 industry professionals. The other two categories were voted on by the public.
Now, a little background about Fred Jacobs! He graduated from the University of Michigan and has a master’s degree from Michigan State University. He worked at WRIF-FM as a program director in the early 1980s. He left the radio station and founded Jacobs Media in 1983, and created the Classic Rock radio format. He formed our company jācapps in 2008, where we developed more than 1,200 apps on both Apple and Android platforms.
Through Jacobs hard work and dedication, it made him noticed by the National Radio Hall of Fame. Not only was he just elected…he was also the first non-broadcaster to be inducted!
He joins a list of Detroit radio personalities who’ve been inducted to the Hall of Fame, including, J.P McCarthy, Ernie Harwell, Dick Purtan, Casey Kasem, and Paul W. Smith. Detroit native Jim Kerr of WAXQ will also be inducted in the 2018 class, according to a statement from Jacobs Media.
Check out the full article by the local Oakland Press here
If you are interest in us, the apps we’ve built, or a product of your own, contact us at sales@jacapps.com or (248) 353-9030

Tags app, detroit, media apps, mobile apps, news, radio, tech

Android Auto App Everywhere Apple CarPlay B2B Apps Connected Car Mobile Apps Mobile Web Radio Smart Home Smart TVs

Mobile Developer Aims for Growth As It Serves New Industries

Post author By Erin Detavernier
Post date July 10, 2018

Recently, Bob Kernen and Paul Jacobs spoke with Crain’s Detroit Business about investments, growth, and the mobile revolution. In great summary, we are ready to hit some goals this year! Being in the emerging mobile application sector, we topped $1 million revenue in 2017, and we expect that to double this year!!
Alright, so let’s check out what we shared with Crain’s, and how we plan to reach these goals!
We are a software company founded by former WRIF 101.1 FM Program Director Fred Jacob. He is helping companies create efficiencies through mobile applications. Jacobs started the tech firm out of a storage close in his Jacobs Media Strategies offices in Bingham Farms months after Cupertino, Calif.-based Apple Inc. launched its App Store in 2008.
We started out with four employees building apps for radio clients including WRIF, WDET 101.9 FM, Michigan Radio and WMGC 105.1 FM to stream radio content to listeners.
“Smartphones have been the transformative device of our lifetime. It creates an unbelievable way to connect businesses to their customers, such as through push notifications,” COO Bob Kernen said. “The average person has about 30 apps on their phone. Once a company can get an app on a customer’s phone, it can become the best marketing tool for them.”

Realizing that other businesses and organizations could benefit from the mobile industry that has now reached nearly every corner of society, we began diversifying our client base in 2013.
Our company picked up a private investor in 2016 to help grow its staff to nine and moved into a new headquarters across the street from the old Jacobs Media at 30300 Telegraph Road, Bingham Farms. jācapps has a six-year lease with Bloomfield Hills-based JFK Investments Co. LLC.
Our workforce grew to 22 in 2017, warranting a $70,000 investment to tear down a wall and nearly double the space to 7,500 square feet this past March.
“We saw the opportunity to become a full-fledged mobile software provider,” Paul Jacobs, Fred’s brother, said. Paul, who also worked for WRIF as a salesman, is now president of the software company. “We broadened out our skill set and found growth in construction, health care, wellness and other businesses that realized that they needed a mobile strategy.”

Since then our company has taken on clients in Partha Nandi, M.D., of the medical TV show “Ask Dr. Nandi,” and Ireland-based building material supplier CRH plc, including two of its subsidiaries in Canton Township-based Cadillac Asphalt LLC and Monroe-based Stoneco of Michigan. Cadillac Asphalt has contracts to rebuild some of the crumbling roads in metro Detroit, including the 696 freeway.
“In the case of Stoneco and Cadillac, what’s important is communication to their customers and employees” for process efficiency, Paul Jacobs said. “Our clients at Stoneco told us if we can get the message out to contractors, they could come pick up more loads and that makes all the world to their business. These are tools that are all about creating efficiencies for the people on the move.”
Because software is constantly changing, Jacobs said the firm is continually investing to keep up with the times as operating systems are constantly changing and new technologies emerge. One of those investments include building an analytics department to allow customers to better utilize their apps.
We are also working with Dearborn-based Ford Motor Co. to build programs for mobility and focusing on other products including smart TVs and smart watches, Jacobs said.
Last year, we saw 30 percent growth, topping $1 million in revenue, Jacobs said. He expects to double revenue this year as the company capitalizes on investments made over the past two years.
Lastly, we would love to thank Crain’s Detroit Business for the support! Click here to read more about how we plan to double our growth this year!
If you are interest in us, the apps we’ve built, or a product of your own, contact us at sales@jacapps.com or (248) 353-9030

Tags apps, Bob Kernen, business apps, construction, detroit, developer, healthcare, iphone, mobile, mobile apps, Paul Jacobs, smart speakers, Southfield, stoneco, stoneco app, tech

Podcasting Radio

Partner Update: Podcast Movement Relationship Expansion

Post author By Jacquelyn LaFrance
Post date February 23, 2018

jācapps sister company, Jacobs Media, and the organizers of the Podcast Movement conference announced an expansion of their relationship. For the 2018 convention this July in Philadelphia, Jacobs Media will be developing 9 sessions over two days targeted at members of the radio industry, doubling the agenda from the 2017 event, which drew close to 200 attendees.
“Broadcasters Meet Podcasters” Comes To Philadelphia In July
“’Broadcasters Meet Podcasters’ debuted last year with a one-day slot, but the interest was so strong from the radio industry, we wanted to take it up a level,” company President Fred Jacobs announced. “Podcasting represents a tremendous opportunity for the radio industry to expand its content delivery and brands, and Podcast Movement is the best forum to learn about the space and where it’s going.”
Podcast Movement’s Co-Founder/Organizer, Dan Franks, recognizes the important relationship between broadcasting and podcasting, remarking, “We expect the turnout to this year’s event to be the largest yet, due in part to the increased presence of the broadcast professionals. We can’t wait to see even more new faces in 2018.” Last year, broadcast execs representing Hubbard, Beasley, Cox, Entercom, Emmis, Bonneville, and other key radio groups were in attendance.
The 2018 Podcast Movement will take place in Philadelphia, July 23-26, at the Downtown Philadelphia Marriott. For more information, and a discount code for the conference, contact Paul Jacobs at Paul@JacobsMedia.com or click here.

If you need a refresher on Podcast listeners and how they intertwine with radio listeners, check out this infographic and the results from last years’ TechSurvey results.
About jācapps: Mobile apps provide versatile solutions for businesses and consumers alike. jācapps has developed over 1000 apps throughout 10 years in the industry. The company’s work goes far beyond smartphones to deliver your message through connected cars, tablets, smart speakers, smart TVs, streaming devices, wearables, through web applications and whatever comes next. jācapps’ App Everywhere® suite allows clients to utilize apps in unique ways, as mobile is put to work for businesses and consumers throughout the technology sphere.
For more information please contact Jacquelyn LaFrance at jacky@jacapps.com

Alexa Amazon Echo Google Home Radio Smart Home Techsurvey

Smart speakers are this year’s trending gifts

Post author By Alena Annarelli
Post date December 1, 2017

Notably, more than one in six online households (18%) now own at least one smart speaker, with 40% of this group already having two or more of the devices in their household. Smart speaker owners are also especially likely to purchase another of these voice command gadgets for themselves or as a gift this holiday season. In fact, six in ten smart speaker owners (61%) plan to purchase at least one more device during this all-important gift-buying cycle.

The study also shows that one in ten online households (11%) specifically owns an Alexa-enabled Amazon smart speaker such as the Echo, Echo Dot and Show devices; the majority of these owners (69%) have at least one Alexa “skill” enabled, while 45% have two or more Alexa “skills” enabled.

Bob Kernen, COO of jācapps, notes, “With Black Friday and Cyber Monday now in the rearview mirror, both Amazon and Google continue to compete heavily to get as many of their smart speakers, now at their lowest price points ever, into as large a number of households as possible. This data strongly suggests smart speaker ownership will take off in the coming weeks.”

“Smart speakers are clearly the must-have gadget for the holidays. Like anything else, habits will form quickly which is the remarkable opportunity for broadcasters and podcasters. They need a smart audio strategy for smart speakers,” said Steve Goldstein, co-founder of Sonic Ai.

We can develop Alexa skills for your business. Reach out to us at 248-353-9030 or marketing@jacapps.com to learn more!

Tags alexa, amazon echo, google home, smart speaker, smart speakers

Alexa Amazon Echo Google Home Radio Smart Home Techsurvey

Smart speakers are this year's trending gifts

Post author By Alena Annarelli
Post date December 1, 2017

We recently collaborated with our sister company, Jacobs Media and Sonic Ai on a national study regarding smart speakers. Our online study shows that one in five (20%) respondents age 13 and older with Internet access plan to purchase a voice-controlled smart speaker such as an Amazon Echo or Google Home during the 2017 holiday season.
Notably, more than one in six online households (18%) now own at least one smart speaker, with 40% of this group already having two or more of the devices in their household. Smart speaker owners are also especially likely to purchase another of these voice command gadgets for themselves or as a gift this holiday season. In fact, six in ten smart speaker owners (61%) plan to purchase at least one more device during this all-important gift-buying cycle.
The study also shows that one in ten online households (11%) specifically owns an Alexa-enabled Amazon smart speaker such as the Echo, Echo Dot and Show devices; the majority of these owners (69%) have at least one Alexa “skill” enabled, while 45% have two or more Alexa “skills” enabled.
Bob Kernen, COO of jācapps, notes, “With Black Friday and Cyber Monday now in the rearview mirror, both Amazon and Google continue to compete heavily to get as many of their smart speakers, now at their lowest price points ever, into as large a number of households as possible. This data strongly suggests smart speaker ownership will take off in the coming weeks.”
“Smart speakers are clearly the must-have gadget for the holidays. Like anything else, habits will form quickly which is the remarkable opportunity for broadcasters and podcasters. They need a smart audio strategy for smart speakers,” said Steve Goldstein, co-founder of Sonic Ai.
We can develop Alexa skills for your business. Reach out to us at 248-353-9030 or marketing@jacapps.com to learn more!

Tags alexa, amazon echo, google home, smart speaker, smart speakers

Podcasting Radio Techsurvey

Techsurvey13: 7 Takeaways Regarding Podcast Listening

Post author By Alena Annarelli
Post date November 10, 2017

Every year, our sister company, Jacobs Media, hosts their Techsurvey, the radio broadcasting industry’s largest online survey. Now, in its thirteenth year and with over 50,000 respondents, it allows them to identify key trends in the mobile, social, and connected car spaces. Techsurvey has been quoted throughout the media world by companies such as CNN, The New York Times, and eMarketer.
Techsurvey helps radio stations better understand their brand and, more importantly, their audiences in a world where technology changes quickly. One of the insights this survey provides is what role podcasting plays for radio stations.

We’d like to share with you some of the key takeaways about how radio listeners consume podcasts:

21% of respondents listen to podcasts on a weekly basis or more. Furthermore, weekly or more podcast listening is the highest with Millennials at 33%.
18% said they listen to 3-5 podcasts per week and 12% listen to 6 or more.
45% hang around the house when they’re listening to podcasts and 37% said they are driving when listening. Additionally, 36% of those who were surveyed listen to podcasts while at work.
51% of podcast listeners prefer to listen on their smartphone while 30% prefer their desktop/laptop.
45% of respondents prefer music as their main podcast category, followed by radio shows that aired at 39%.
38% of those surveyed use a web browser to listen to podcasts and 37% use the iTunes/Apple podcast app.
16% of radio listeners said they’re listening to less radio due to podcasts with Millennials totaling 24%.

Take a look at jācapps Podcast Listening in 2017 Infographic below:

Podcasting Radio Techsurvey

6 Ways Podcasting Can Help Your Business Grow

Post author By Alena Annarelli
Post date August 11, 2017

Back view of a teenager listening music with headphones from a smart phone on a vacations destination

With the growth of smart technology, podcasting has exploded in popularity. The number of active podcasts and their listeners has skyrocketed, creating more opportunities for businesses to reach their target customers. As Small Business Trends reports, there are 6 major benefits for companies that create podcasts:

Alternative to video
- Creating an attention grabbing video can be challenging for some businesses, as well as expensive. Since we live in an “on the go” world, it can be more effective to provide audiences with content to listen to rather than watch.
Audience generation
- There are many opportunities to reach new audiences through podcasting. Podcasting is a great way for interested people to sample your content.
Build audience relationships
- People form relationships with the podcasts they subscribe to. They want to gain a sense of familiarity and trust from who they’re listening to.
Easy to create
- Podcasting is a cost effective way to reach your audience. Most equipment is reasonably priced and basic editing software is free.
Engagement tool
- As previously stated, people want a sense of trust with the podcasters they listen to. Products promoted on air are likely to be purchased by frequent listeners. A survey conducted on 300,000 listeners found that 63% of listeners that responded purchased the products promoted by hosts.
Improve public speaking skills
- Hosting podcasts allows you to develop confidence in public speaking. Speaking effectively to your target audience helps you to promote your business.

So, what’s the best way of delivering podcasts and other on-demand content to your audience? With a mobile app, of course. And an app that puts you front and center in the connected car ecosystem. More than a third of respondents reported driving while listening, so the car is an important place for your brand to deliver its content.
If you’re currently involved with podcasting, or looking to get involved, make sure to check out the largest gathering of podcasters in the world at Podcast Movement. This year, it takes place in Anaheim, CA from August 23-25. And, if you work in/around radio and would like $100 off your Podcast Movement registration, our sister company, Jacobs Media, was nice enough to provide a discount code. Use JACOBS100 for the $100 discount when you register here.

Podcast Movement 2017: Broadcasters Meet Podcasters

As always, you can reach out to us by clicking here. Or, you can give us a call at 248-353-9030 or email sales@jacapps.com.

Mobile Apps Radio

6 Common Mistakes Radio Stations Make with Mobile Apps

Post author By Vince Kattoula
Post date July 6, 2017

The appeal of having a mobile app for your radio station is obvious. An app has the potential to increase the reach of your station and increase engagement with your listeners. It’s impossible to do everything right at first, but there are some common mistakes that you can avoid.

6 Common Mistakes Radio Stations Make with Mobile Apps

Not aligning it with your strategy
If your app isn’t aligned with your overall strategy (both programming and sales), you will almost certainly fail. What you’re doing on-air, on your website, and in your app, should all support your overall goal and strategy in the same way.
Too much stuff
Don’t overwhelm your audience with a too many features. This makes the user experience confusing, especially since they will only grasp about two or three features at a time. One of the things we recommend to clients with a lot of content is to put a few things on the app at a time. Then, in a few weeks, come back and add more. That way you have a refreshed reason to promote your app and a new reason for people to come back and check it out. People who started using one or two features as habit are now offered something new that hopefully they’ll make a habit as well.
Not promoting the app
Promote your mobile app. All the time. In lots of different ways. Through multiple channels. You should promote your app in a way that connects to users so that they’ll want to open it right at that moment for a specific reason.
Poor or confusing branding.
Make sure you get your branding right. Over the years, we’ve noticed that it’s very easy to let your app become generic or to update something on your website and forget to update it on the app. The goal is to keep your branding as synchronized as possible.
Poor usability
Test, test, test! Make sure your app’s functions are clear and easy to find because an app that’s tough to use almost always gets deleted. The items in your navigation should be in an order that makes sense to the user. Everything within your app should align with how you’re talking about it so that when people go to look for a certain item, they can easily find it.
Not having the right support
Making sure your app is supported is a must. Your app provider should be keeping it up-to-date with the latest OS versions and devices. As you track traffic patterns within your app, keep a close eye on what things are working and, more importantly, what things are not.

At jācapps, it’s all about the end user and that is why we work to understand your consumer. We specialize in helping radio stations find the mobile intersection of your brand and your consumer. Our apps are fully customizable and we always support what we sell.
Don’t make a mistake that you don’t have to. Click here to set up a conversation about your station’s mobile strategy. You can also give us a call at 248-353-9030 or shoot us an email.

Podcasting Radio Techsurvey

Techsurvey13: 7 Takeaways Regarding Podcast Listening

Post author By Vince Kattoula
Post date June 15, 2017

podcasting — white headphones on top of computer tablet.

We’d like to share with you some of the key takeaways about how radio listeners consume podcasts:

21% of respondents listen to podcasts on a weekly basis or more. Furthermore, weekly or more podcast listening is the highest with Millennials at 33%.
18% said they listen to 3-5 podcasts per week and 12% listen to 6 or more.
45% hang around the house when they’re listening to podcasts and 37% said they are driving when listening. Additionally, 36% of those who were surveyed listen to podcasts while at work.
51% of podcast listeners prefer to listen on their smartphone while 30% prefer their desktop/laptop.
45% of respondents prefer music as their main podcast category, followed by radio shows that aired at 39%.
38% of those surveyed use a web browser to listen to podcasts and 37% use the iTunes/Apple podcast app.
16% of radio listeners said they’re listening to less radio due to podcasts with Millennials totaling 24%.

So, what’s the best way of delivering podcasts and other on-demand content to your audience? Clearly, it’s with a mobile app. With Apple and Google getting involved in the connected car ecosystem, and more than a third of respondents driving while listening, the car is an important place for your brand to deliver its content.
If you’re currently involved with podcasting, or looking to get involved, make sure to check out the largest gathering of podcasters in the world at Podcast Movement. This year, it takes place in Anaheim, CA from August 23-25. And, if you work in/around radio and would like $100 off your Podcast Movement registration, our sister company, Jacobs Media, was nice enough to provide a discount code. Use JACOBS100 for the $100 discount when you register here.

Podcast Movement 2017: Broadcasters Meet Podcasters

As always, you can reach out to us by clicking here. Or, you can give us a call at 248-353-9030 or email sales@jacapps.com.

Connected Car Radio Techsurvey

Techsurvey13: 6 Takeaways Regarding the Connected Car

Post author By Vince Kattoula
Post date June 8, 2017

We’d like to share with you some of the key takeaways about consumers and their connected cars:

64% of respondents can connect their mobile phone/mp3 in the car they drive or ride in most often.
In-car media system ownership rose to 22%. Last year, 20% of respondents owned an in-car media system and the year before, only 18%.
66% said they either like or love their in-car media system.
The percentage of time spent in a car with AM/FM totaled 64%. Listeners’ personal music totaled 11%, while streaming audio and podcasts came in at 4% each.
AM/FM radio remained the most important feature among those planning on buying/leasing a new vehicle in 2017. Bluetooth comes in at number two, with a 5% percent increase from last year. Not surprisingly, the need for a CD player in the car dropped 18%.
Listeners’ attitude towards autonomous cars remained steady with 22% of respondents saying they like the idea. At 32%, millennials are the most enthusiastic about autonomous cars and males seem to like the idea more than females.

The connected car is radio’s biggest challenge, but it’s also radio’s biggest opportunity. One thing is for sure – the car isn’t what it used to be. We can help you maintain your place there as this crucial ecosystem evolves.
The key to staying connected starts with us! Click here to reach out to us today. You can also give us a call at 248-353-9030 or email sales@jacapps.com to learn how your station can stay connected.