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number of Howard Stern stations over
the years. That was a fun ride, watching
him become a superstar. And yes, I’ve
been insulted by Howard Stern.

AJ: How did you react to the Radio
Hall of Fame news?
FJ: It was very unexpected and hum-
bling. Most inductees have either been
on the air their entire careers or are some
of the bigger corporate moguls in radio.
It’s very unusual for somebody like me to
get into the Hall of Fame. It’s a beautiful
honor and I’m very touched. When I got
into radio, I wanted to have an impact
on the industry I love, and this honor
validates that.

Never Too Old
To Rock ’N’ Roll

The inside scoop with National Radio Hall Of Fame
inductee Fred Jacobs — as told by his daughter.

ALLISON JACOBS CONTRIBUTING WRITER

O

ne of our own local
radio experts, Fred
Jacobs, is being
inducted into this year’s
National Radio Hall of Fame
on Nov. 15 in New York
City. Jacobs will accept his
award alongside Mike &
Mike of ESPN, Dr. Laura
Schlessinger, morning-radio
icon Jonathon Brandmeier,
fellow Detroiter and NYC
DJ Jim Kerr, and others. I
had the privilege of learn-
ing more about my dad’s
journey in radio and his
thoughts on this honor.

in Ann Arbor and got my
master’s in telecommunica-
tions in East Lansing. So, on
certain days of the year I’m
conflicted. I always had an
interest in media, but first
thought I wanted to go into
TV. Then I took the radio
class and was smitten. That
was it — I knew instantly I
had to work in radio.

TOP: At Hart Plaza: Jacobs
(second from left and
above) and Oak Park-native
Marshall Crenshaw (second
from right).

AJ: Where did you go to college and
how did you choose a career in radio?
FJ: I’m one of those rare people who has
degrees from [University of] Michigan
and Michigan State. I did my undergrad

56

November 1 • 2018

jn

AJ: How did you get started
as a radio consultant and
build Jacobs Media?
FJ: My first job was working
for a research company that
provided surveys for radio stations all
over the country. Early on, I traveled and
did research and even some consulting,
so I was used to the rhythm of the busi-
ness. After working for WRIF in Detroit,
I decided to go out on my own.

AJ: What is Jacobs Media, and how has
the business evolved over time?
FJ: Jacobs Media started out as a con-
sulting company for rock stations. I
developed the Classic Rock format early
on, so for many years I was a consultant
for Classic Rock, Rock and Alternative
stations. When the technology wave hit
in the 1990s, I started seeing other ways
I could make a contribution to radio, so
we pivoted the company. We still do a lot
of radio consulting, but we also do stra-
tegic work in the digital space. We’re very
deep into new media including podcast-
ing, connected cars, smart speakers like
Alexa and the whole audio renaissance.
We also do a lot of work in public radio,
having worked over the years for a num-
ber of stations including NPR.

AJ: Who comprises Jacobs Media?
FJ: Jacobs Media was not originally
designed as a family business, but it
has evolved that way. My two brothers,
Paul and Bill, have worked with me for
decades and have made huge contribu-
tions. Paul has been especially important
in the development of our mobile app
company, jacapps, and has been a tre-
mendous guide for me. We’ve had great
staffers and visionaries who have helped
us grow as a company.

AJ: Who are some of your clients?
FJ: We did research for MTV and VH1
back in the early days. That was very
exciting. I also ended up working for a

AJ: What kind of legacy do you hope to
leave in business and to your children?
FJ: I am proud to be thought of in two
different ways — pioneering the Classic
Rock format has been really exciting
and it continues to be successful to this
day. But, I would like to be thought of as
someone who pushed the radio indus-
try into the future by embracing digital
media and new opportunities. I’m a bit
of an “agent provocateur.” My father
owned his own businesses and always
emphasized the value of having a good
name and being true to your word, and
I’ve tried to live up to that. I also think
it’s interesting that both of my kids are
involved in media.

AJ: How has Judaism impacted you?
FJ: I grew up in Northwest Detroit
and completed Hebrew high school at
Congregation Shaarey Zedek. I always
enjoyed studying history. In 2006, we
made a family trip to Israel. We are now
proud members of Temple Israel and feel
a part of that community.

AJ: What is your favorite memory of
the Detroit music scene?
FJ: Programming WRIF in my home-
town was a huge honor, especially given
the musical roots of this area. One of the
accomplishments I fondly look back on
are the series of free local concerts we
threw at Hart Plaza. Local music was
exploding at that time and it was really
exciting to be at the forefront of the
Motor City music scene.

AJ: What’s on your turntable?
FJ: Either Steely Dan, the White Stripes
or Dire Straits — I’m a huge fan of
Donald Fagen, Detroiter Jack White and
Mark Knopfler. ■