Fred Jacobs Ends 43-Year Run As Jacobs Media President.

Jacobs Media founder and President Fred Jacobs will step down from his leadership role at the end of 2026, ending a 43-year run at the company he launched. His brother, Paul Jacobs, will succeed him as President, while Fred will become Chairman and remain involved in select areas of the business.

Fred Jacobs says he has been considering the transition for several years and is ready for a change. In August 2025, he went public with battle with Parkinson’s disease.

“I appreciate all the opportunities I’ve had over the years, and the people, organizations, and companies we’ve worked for and collaborated with,” he says. “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.”

Under Paul Jacobs’ leadership, the company will continue working with broadcasters on strategy, digital transformation and revenue development. Director of Digital Revenue Chris Brunt and Bill Jacobs will remain in their roles, with additional organizational changes still being considered. As previously reported by Inside Radio, Mike Stern is leaving the consultancy to join Zimmer Communications as Director of Programming.

“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,” Paul Jacobs says. “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.”

Jacobs Media will also continue its Techsurveys research covering commercial, public and Christian music radio. Fred Jacobs will remain involved in the design and implementation of the studies.

Registration for Techsurvey 2027, conducted in collaboration with Inside Radio, opens this week. The study will field in January and February and will mark the company's 22nd survey of commercial radio listeners.

Jacobs Media's Industry Contributions

During Fred Jacobs’ tenure, Jacobs Media introduced a series of initiatives that helped shape radio’s development, including the classic rock format, radio’s early mobile applications, audience research and industry events.

The company launched jacapps in 2008 as radio’s first mobile app developer. Other initiatives include its Techsurveys, DASH Conferences and executive tours of CES in Las Vegas.

Fred Jacobs was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in 2018. He and Paul Jacobs received the NAB National Radio Award in 2022, and Fred has earned numerous other industry honors in Michigan and beyond.

Although he will no longer lead the company day to day, Fred Jacobs says he plans to remain active in the industry through research, consulting and speaking engagements.

“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,” he says.

“But after nearly 4 million miles on Delta (mostly domestic), it’s time.”

He adds, “It’s been an amazing run, and I’m feeling nothing but gratitude.”