Jacobs Media Debuts AQ Study On Air Personalities' Quality Of Life

8/30 At 2p (ET)

JACOBS MEDIA unveiled the findings of its online AQ study of radio on-air talent and producers at the TALENTMASTERS/MORNING SHOW BOOT CAMP. Respondents were asked about 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.” The full results of the AQ study will be revealed on a webinar set for THURSDAY, AUGUST 30th at 2p (ET).

“The radio industry historically has done a great job researching its audience,” said JACOBS MEDIA Pres. FRED JACOBS. “However, no one has ever studied the attitudes of one of the industry’s most important assets, air personalities. Stations have a lot riding on their talent, and it’s important management and ownership gain a deeper understanding of what makes them tick. And, there are great insights for the personalities themselves.”

Here are some of the highlights from AQ, radio’s first talent on talent survey:

• More than four in 10 (43%) survey respondents perform on their station’s morning show, while only 14% work nights, overnights, and weekends. Yet, nearly three-fourths (74%) of the AQ sample got their start in radio on these rapidly-disappearing air shifts.
• Overall, four in 10 (40%) of the air talent surveyed in AQ say their work is never critiqued by station management. And, nearly one-fifth (19%) say they are only airchecked a couple times a year.
• While nearly seven in 10 (69%) male air talent agree that “women have as good a chance as men to advance” on the air, less than one-fourth (24%) of female respondents agree.
• The #1 skill mandatory for air talent? Social media prowess, mentioned by nearly two-thirds (65%) of AQ respondents, is at the top of the list. Yet, only about one-third (35%) of these same participants rate their social media ability “excellent.”
• When asked why they opted for a career on the air in radio, the top three reasons are that “it’s fun” (80%), “to entertain” (73%), and because it’s “emotionally fulfilling” (57%). The least important reason? “Sex and relationships,” mentioned by only 1% as a main motivator for being on the radio.
• Six in 10 (60%) say that financially, they’re making it, they’re comfortable, or they’re set for life. Conversely, four in 10 (40%) report they’re struggling or in debt. Those having the hardest time are women, Millennials, and those who work in smaller markets.
• One in 10 (11%) strongly agrees with the statement, “I have a face for radio.” Men are twice as likely to strongly concur with that dubious claim.

"Of all the 'firsts' we've debuted at MORNING SHOW BOOT CAMP over the past three decades, AQ was easily one of our most anticipated sessions ever," MORNING SHOW BOOT CAMP/TALK SHOW BOOT CAMP host/creator DON ANTHONY said. "Over 1,100 responses! That's nothing short of amazing. The goal here was to provide usable feedback to both talent and the people who manage them. Having seen the results, I believe JACOBS MEDIA has accomplished this and more.”

To download a sneak peek of the results and register for the webinar, click here.

« see more Net News