Hey, That Guy Looks Like Fred Jacobs!
Proving it’s always possible to evolve and re-invent (much like we did when launching RAMP), Crain’s Detroit has named famous radio industry stud Fred Jacobs as one of Michigan’s “50 Names To Know In Information Technology.” Known to many as the father of the pioneer of the Classic Rock format, Jacobs Media has launched many innovative research projects, including its annual Techsurveys, as well as its presence in the connected car space via the DASH Conference. Jacobs has also led the radio industry into the mobile era with the creation of jācapps, radio’s leading mobile application developer.
In honoring Jacobs, Crain’s Detroit notes, “Jacobs Media is an example of an old-school marketing company adapting to the post-iPhone world.” Founded 100 days after the opening of Apple’s iTunes App Store in 2008, jācapps has now developed more than 1,000 apps worldwide for radio and non-radio clients alike. As Jacobs notes, “Back in 2008, our Techsurveys began showing how radio listeners were altering their media consumption. We saw the iPhone was hot, and had a strong feeling radio’s future was to participate in the smartphone revolution. Eight years later, it’s about ensuring radio apps are adapted to the Apple CarPlay and Android Auto ecosystems, retaining radio’s front-and-center position in car dashboards.” The entire list of 50 Names can be accessed online.
