The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) announced the 2022 National Radio Award will be presented to research and consulting experts Fred and Paul Jacobs. The award will be presented at NAB Show New York during the Marconi Radio Awards on October 19. This marks the first time the award has been given to two people.
“Radio broadcasters rely on Fred and Paul Jacobs for their industry-leading research and market insights to help them innovate, better serve listeners and reach new audiences,” said NAB President and CEO Curtis LeGeyt. “We are delighted to present this honor to the Jacobs brothers for their decades-long leadership and commitment to radio.”
Fred Jacobs is the founder and president of Jacobs Media, which provides consulting services to commercial, public and Christian radio stations. He is credited with the creation of the Classic Rock radio format and has a strong background in audience research, having worked for Frank N. Magid and Associates and ABC Radio. Fred was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in 2018 and has served on the Board of the Public Radio Program Directors Association.
Paul Jacobs is the vice president and general manager of Jacobs Media. He began his career in the radio industry in sales and management positions at radio stations in Detroit and Dallas. Over the last 15 years, Paul’s startup jācapps, the industry’s first mobile application development company, has created more than 1,300 apps worldwide. He has served as the Board Chair for Greater Public and the Michigan Association of Broadcasters Foundation.
"Paul and I are thrilled to receive this recognition together. It marks a significant accomplishment for our company,” Fred Jacobs remarked. “Our entire team has been committed to helping broadcasters deal with a changing media landscape, adapt to new generations of listeners, and develop strategic digital media plans. This prestigious award is validation of that work.”
Over the years, the Jacobs brothers have established themselves as thought leaders in the radio industry, frequently speaking at broadcast conferences and providing research and consulting for influential media companies. Since 2005, their annual Techsurvey research studies have provided broadcasters with insight into how listeners were adapting to and adopting new technology and social media, and have helped the industry best understand where to prioritize their technology investments.
In 2017, the Jacobs brothers partnered with NAB Auto Initiative Committee to develop the original “Best Practices” report.
