Jacobs Media and Christian Music Broadcasters (CMB) are inviting all Christian music-based radio stations to participate in our fifth annual CMB Techsurvey. On the heels of our previous 13 annual all-format Techsurveys, we’ve learned that Christian Radio listeners have unique needs and interests that led us to create this stand-alone study.
“For the past five years, Christian Music Broadcasters has partnered with Jacobs Media to provide one of the best research opportunities for radio, the CMB Techsurvey,” notes Michelle Younkman, CMB Executive Director. The stations who have participated every year have a phenomenal trend pattern. They can see how their station continues to impact their listeners on a variety of levels. The survey also helps stations identify areas for future growth. For stations who are looking for a cost-effective way to generate in-depth research on how your listeners are engaging with your station, there is no better value than the CMB Techsurvey 2018. It is CMB’s vision to see Christian music radio grow and this is an invaluable tool to help stations reach more people.”
Our goal in working with CMB is to create a survey that helps enlighten and inform Christian music broadcasters about how their audience is using technology to interact with friends, family and with radio. We want to identify the opportunities that exist in the digital space for growth, membership development, and better communication with your key listeners, to help you decide where to invest time, resources, and personnel.
CMB Techsurvey 2018 is a national web-based research study devoted to media and technology, utilizing radio station databases. Within the last few years our annual Techsurvey was opened to all formats and we’ve ended up creating the largest research study ever conducted for radio. The study continues to grow larger each year with more radio stations signing up and more respondents participating. The 2017 survey once again made headlines by telling a new story about radio’s generations. It has been highly quoted throughout radio as well as by outlets such as eMarketer and Marketing Charts.
In last year’s CMB4 Techsurvey, we had 30 radio stations and two networks participate, generating almost 11,000 responses. Our goal is to make this year’s 2018 survey bigger and better than ever. It’s important to emphasize that the success of this project depends on the inclusion of a wide range of stakeholder stations. The more diversity of stations and the larger the sample, the more impactful the results will be for your station.
We need your station’s commitment no later than Thursday, June 7th.
There will be a stakeholder webinar presentation with CMB in summer 2018 as we deep-dive into the Christian format by generation, gender and other important factors.
We will also be presenting results at Momentum 2018 in September in Orlando.
Each participating station will receive its local results, along with its Media Usage Pyramid (often displayed in hundreds of cubicles, offices, and air studios throughout the U.S. and Canada). This is information that every programmer and manager needs to develop smart strategies that can capitalize on the opportunities presented by new media and technology.
Research topics will include tracking traditional media usage (TV, radio), as well as the impact of social media (Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Snapchat, etc.). The goal is to help stations build their individual “Social Media Footprints” – the platforms most important to Christian radio audiences, and how to best connect with and engage with listeners in these important spaces.
We’ll delve into the two hottest topics – “smart speakers” (Alexa, Google Home, and Apple HomePod) and podcasting/on-demand programming, as well as taking a deep dive into gadgetry (the digital dashboard, smartphones, tablets, etc.). Additionally, the survey will explore station related activities – in-car listening and the impact of the “connected car,” the growth of streaming, and the rise of mobile apps.
We will include format and value specific questions to help programmers better learn about some of the key issues facing Christian radio and what listeners think and value. Jacobs Media is inviting participating programmers to submit questions for possible inclusion, thus providing even more actionable information for your stations from this survey. What are the big questions you have for your Christian radio station specifically? Feel free to send your submissions to Jacobs Media’s Research Director, Jason Hollins at jason@jacobsmedia.com.
The Media Usage Pyramid (below) is a comprehensive way to understand some of the key findings of our studies. The Christian AC and CHR formats are contrasted in this graphic – one of the many ways in which we depict the data and help make it easy to understand and apply to your strategies.
Below are details about how stations, networks, and companies can participate in CMB Techsurvey 2018:
- It will be fielded in early June 2018. We must have commitments for the survey no later than May 31, 2018. Jacobs Media handles all details of the study, and provides email copy and all technical aspects of participation. We will give you copy and a link that you email to your listeners – that’s it!
- A small participation fee. We will survey your database (up to 700 completed interviews). You’ll receive your local market data, the total survey data, your format data, and your station’s media usage pyramid. You will also be able to participate in a participants-only webinar that reviews the key findings this Spring. Anyone from your station is eligible to attend. These rates are for CMB members and are identical to what we charge for our Public Radio Techsurvey and the all-format commercial study, and are the same as we charged last year. However, because this is a special survey, we are not allowing any stations to participate at no charge:
Market Size Cost
Large Markets (1-40) $500
Smaller Markets 41+ $400
The prices above are for CMB members only. Non-CMB members pay an additional $250 for the survey.
- Networks: priced on an individual basis. Please contact us with questions.
Stations can register by clicking the button below to sign-up and fill it out for each radio station you would like to have participate. If you have a large number of stations (more than 5) you would like to register, please contact Lisa Riker directly via email (lisa@jacobsmedia.com) or call her at 248-353-9030 for discount information.
We’re very excited about continuing to grow this annual survey specifically for Christian broadcasters. We look forward to working with you and analyzing the current digital space, as well as creating the opportunity to track these changes over time.
For more information, please contact Paul Jacobs at pauljacobs@jacobsmedia.com or Michelle Younkman at michelle@cmbonline.org.
98.5 KTIS strives to point people in the Twin Cities to Jesus on the air, online, and on the street. Through remarkable service projects, 98.5 KTIS listeners are the hands and feet of Jesus to multiply the KTIS impact in our community. The first Friday of each month was 98.5 KTIS Drive-thru Difference Day, as listeners shared God’s love by paying for the order of the person behind them in the drive-thru. Moms overcame health, financial, and family difficulties through 98.5 KTIS’ Heart of a Mom initiative; meeting needs for a kitchen update, fulfilling a missed honeymoon with a cruise to Alaska, securing a reliable vehicle, and more. 98.5 KTIS’ Christmas Blessing resulted in remarkable stories of goodwill in the community, meeting needs by blessing people battling cancer, overcoming miscarriage, and recovering from financial devastation. Collecting thousands of Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes filled with toys for kids around the world, the 98.5 KTIS Shoebox Showdown shared the hope of Jesus from the Twin Cities to children around the world. Listeners continued that generosity by working together to collect over 11,000 pencils for boys and girls in the Dominican Republic. 98.5 KTIS listeners ‘Shared the Warmth’ as a local business paid listener heating bills during the cold winter months, and listeners used those funds to bless their favorite Twin Cities nonprofits. 98.5 KTIS’ Ministry of the Month connected listener passions and talents to local ministries, highlighting the good being done in our community by these organizations on-air and online.
Through intentional, community focused service initiatives, Spirit 92.9 partners with listeners and businesses to help make their community better, together. The station’s first “Community Spirit” project in 2022 focused on showing God’s love to children entering foster care in the area after the ministry learned that there were more children than ever before in the system. During a weeklong collection drive, Spirit 92.9 listeners and business partners generously helped provide a new pair of pajamas and a stuffed animal for over 1,100 kids. Hoping to lead by example through serving, the Spirit 92.9 team helped prepare over 800 free meals for individuals and families in need for Easter, prepared and served a meal at the local homeless shelter, and helped clean up trash at an abandoned property near their studios. Hundreds of women in the community were served and uplifted in January at the station’s first Ladies’ Night Out-an opportunity to worship, laugh, receive support and prayer. In the fall, listeners and business partners joined together to help three local organizations provide free homemade, holiday meals to those in need. This ‘More Than A Meal’ on-air and online fundraiser helped feed over 3,000 in Central Minnesota. At the end of the year, Spirit 92.9’s “Share The Joy” promotion offered listeners the opportunity to nominate someone to receive a financial blessing. Single mothers, elderly homeowners, and the family of a father badly injured and hospitalized out of state were among the 12 people granted a $500-$1000 gift.
From entertaining the airwaves on KFRC-FM in San Francisco, to dancing away the late 90s on WKTU-FM in New York City, to encouraging and uplifting Atlanta on WFSH-The Fish every afternoon, Beth Bacall’s three decades on the air have had a lot to say. In 2003, she embraced CMB and the CCM sphere when she started working at Star 99.1 FM in NY/NJ. Since 2005, she has served on the Momentum Leadership Team while also offering mentorship to CMB’s Women in Radio community. Beth is a champion for others, taking a sincere stance of integrity and leading by example with her on air work, community engagement, and show prep. As a top talent coach, she equips multidisciplinary broadcasters and artists to embrace their authentic self, grow awareness, share stories effectively, and create meaningful Christ-centered content with all audiences. Beth specializes in moments that matter and is a driving force behind The Fish Christmas Wish Program and Fish Acts of Love. Working on all aspects of creating promotional, reward-based content, including research and execution, Beth is a dot connector that the Lord uses to bring joy and experiences into the lives of others. Even after these promotional seasons, she’s always looking for the next opportunity to be a blessing.
For over four decades, Rick Dunham has been at the forefront of marketing and fundraising for Christian nonprofits. In 2002, he founded Dunham+Company, which has become a global leader in providing multi-channel strategies across some of the world’s most influential sectors. Through radio and television, local churches and overseas missions, medical relief and philanthropic initiatives, Dunham+Company is multiplying the reach of the Gospel. The company currently serves nearly 100 clients in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand – whose collective effort is reaching nearly every corner of the globe. Rick is the author of Secure: Discovering True Financial Freedom and If God Will Provide, Why Do We Have to Ask for Money? He serves as a member of the board of The Giving Institute and is a former chair of the Giving USA Foundation, which publishes the most widely respected annual report on giving in the U.S. He has been published and quoted in the Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Washington Post and more. From devotionals to blogs, webinars to books, Rick’s personal faith in Jesus and his Biblical training are the driving conviction of his communication.
Over the decades, Jacobs Media has become known for advising broadcasters on strategic planning and digital transformation, championing forward thinking of the in-car audio experience, developing its innovative Techsurveys, and driving research initiatives with some of the most influential companies in media. In partnership with Radio Ink, the Jacobs duo created the DASH Conferences in 2013-15, bringing together leadership from both automotive and radio broadcasting industries. Working with CMB, Jacobs Media launched the first of its annual tech surveys for Christian music radio in 2014. Working in collaboration with the NAB’s Connected Car Committee, they developed the original “Best Practices” report in 2017. Fred Jacobs, a 2018 Radio Hall of Fame inductee, is credited with the creation of the Classic Rock radio format in the mid-80’s. Paul Jacobs specializes in revenue generation for Jacobs Media’s clients including heading up jācapps – the industry’s first, and now largest, mobile application development company with more than 1,300 apps worldwide. In 2022, Fred and Paul were recipients of the National Radio Award, the highest honor from the National Association of Broadcasters. They were the first duo to receive the award as well as the first consultants.
Jim Leightenheimer has passionately pursued the mission of teaching, mentoring, and preparing college students to serve Christ in radio since 1982. A 30-year radio veteran, Jim implemented and developed a student radio station that started as an AM carrier current, transitioned to a low power FM, and is currently streaming as Resound Radio. Under his leadership, student radio has served to jump-start the careers of many current leaders in Christian radio stations and networks across the United States. His students, both past and present, credit Jim for being the catalyst in building their love for radio. Throughout his career, Jim has enlisted graduates and other professionals to serve as mentors to his student radio staff. He has introduced scores of students to CMB by bringing them to Momentum and, more recently, CMB University. Jim currently serves on the board of directors at WCVO (104.9 The River) in Columbus and continues to be a resource not only for his current students, but for those who are living out his legacy in radio.
Joe Paulo has served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of Hope Media Group since 2018. With an extensive background in media and leadership, he began at KSBJ (now Hope Media Group) as Vice-President of Operations in 2017 after serving at Educational Media Foundation (K-LOVE/Air1) as the Director of Donor Stewardship and Communications. Prior to that, he led a division of Columbia International University as Director of Broadcasting until 2014, overseeing the growth of successful radio stations in Charlotte, NC and Columbia, SC. Joe has also provided volunteer leadership at the board of directors and advisory levels for other nonprofits such as Youth Commission International, CMB, and Crime Stoppers of Houston. In addition to speaking on leadership, fundraising and media, Joe and Kelly, his wife, have spoken at marriage and parenting events to share their passion for marriage, parenting and adoption.