Jacobs Media Pres. Fred Jacobs Stepping Down
• Jacobs Media Founder & President Fred Jacobs announced he will step down as President at the end of 2026, wrapping up a 43-year run. His brother, Paul Jacobs, will succeed him as President, and Fred will become Chairman and remain involved in select areas of the business.
“I’ve been thinking about this for a couple of years now, and I’m ready for a change,” said Fred Jacobs. “I appreciate all the opportunities I’ve had over the years, and the people, organizations, and companies we’ve worked for and collaborated with. From the early days of the company and the birth of the Classic Rock format to our focus on technology in the 2000s, it’s been quite a journey.”
Paul Jacobs remarked, “The core of the company will remain intact, but true to the Jacobs Media tradition, we’ll be making some changes to ensure we’re aligned with client and industry needs. Director of Digital Revenue Chris Brunt and Bill Jacobs will remain in their roles, and we’re still working through some additional changes. Our primary focus will be helping clients with their overall strategies, including digital transformation and building profitable digital revenue programs. That’s what broadcasters need in 2026 and beyond, and that’s where we’ll focus.”
Under Fred’s leadership, Jacobs Media introduced numerous innovations, several of which changed the direction of the radio industry. These include jacapps, launched in 2008 as radio’s first mobile app developer; the Techsurveys; the DASH Conferences; and executive tours of CES in Las Vegas. Jacobs Media will continue its Techsurveys for commercial, public, and Christian music radio, with Fred participating in the design and implementation of those studies.
Fred Jacobs was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in 2018, and in 2022, he and Paul received the NAB National Radio Award. He has also received numerous other industry honors in Michigan and beyond.
“It’s been an amazing run, and I’m feeling nothing but gratitude,” Fred said. “Starting next year, my day-to-day life will change, but I’ll still be reading the trades, checking the ratings, offering suggestions to Paul, talking strategy with select clients, giving the occasional speech or presentation, and working on the Techsurveys. But after nearly 4 million miles on Delta (mostly domestic), it’s time.”
