Jacobs Releases Radio's Only Air Talent Study AQ2

RADIO ONLINE | Tuesday, August 20, 2019

Jacobs Media and Talentmasters released the findings AQ2 -- a comprehensive online study of air talent and producers from commercial radio stations across the U.S. -- at this year's "Morning Show Boot Camp" in Chicago. Respondents were asked a wide range of questions on their attitudes about the state of the radio industry, their careers, how they define their ever-changing job duties, and even if they have a "face for radio."

There are great insights in AQ2 including why air talent have chosen the radio profession. The top three reasons are that "it's fun" (79%), "to entertain" (75%), and because it's "emotionally fulfilling" (56%). The least important reason? "Sex and relationships," mentioned by only 1% as a main motivator for being on the radio.

Fred Jacobs presented the study to the capacity Boot Camp crowd, eager to see research that reflects their aspirations, concerns, and their lives. The full results of the AQ2 study will be unveiled on a webinar scheduled for Wednesday, September 4th at 2pm ET. To register for the webinar, go to click here.

"Last year's debut AQ study - radio's first talent on talent research study -- turned out to be a milestone project," said Jacobs Media President Fred Jacobs. "This year's follow-up survey provides tracking, as well as new questions to help inform both talent and those who manage them."

"Our second annual Jacobs Media/MSBC AQ2 ("Air Talent Questionnaire") proved once again to be the perfect lead-off session for this year's 31st annual event. And what a perfect source of material for sessions that followed. Considering the second year in-a-row that more than 1,000 on-air talent completed the nearly 15-minute survey speaks volumes about them, as well as the quality of work provided by Jacobs Media. I'm already looking forward to AQ3," said host/creator of Morning Show Boot Camp Don Anthony.

The fieldwork for AQ2 took place between June 13 and July 18. There were 1,035 responses in total; 988 commercial radio air personalities and 47 commercial radio show producers in the U.S. AQ2 is a web survey and is not intended to reflect the attitudes of all air personalities and on-air producers.