Fred Jacobs to Step Down as Jacobs Media President

RADIO ONLINE | Wednesday, November 4, 2026 | 0:01am CT

Fred Jacobs

Jacobs Media founder and President Fred Jacobs will step down at the end of 2026, with his brother, Paul Jacobs, succeeding him. Fred will become Chairman and remain involved in research, select client work and other areas of the business.

"I've been thinking about this for a couple of years now, and I'm ready for a change," said Fred Jacobs. "I appreciate all the opportunities I've had over the years, and the people, organizations, and companies we've worked for and collaborated with."

Under Paul's leadership, Jacobs Media will emphasize overall client strategy, digital transformation and digital revenue development. Director of Digital Revenue Chris Brunt and Bill Jacobs will remain in their current roles, with additional changes still being developed.

"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," said Paul Jacobs. "Our primary focus will be helping clients with their overall strategies, including digital transformation and building profitable digital revenue programs."

The company will continue its Techsurveys for commercial, public and Christian music radio, with Fred participating in their design and implementation. Registration for Techsurvey 2027, conducted in collaboration with Inside Radio, opens this week. The research will field in January and February and mark the company's 22nd survey of commercial radio listeners.

Fred's work at Jacobs Media has spanned the development of the Classic Rock format and initiatives focused on radio's adoption of technology. Those efforts include the Techsurveys, mobile app developer jacapps, launched in 2008, the DASH Conferences and executive tours of CES in Las Vegas.

He was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in 2018 and received the NAB National Radio Award alongside Paul in 2022.

"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," Fred said. "But after nearly 4 million miles on Delta (mostly domestic), it's time."