TSP: Stephan Jacob, Executive Producer, VoiceAmerica

By Jason Falls

The Internet offers a virtual cornucopia of media outlets for public relations professionals and their pitches. From webzines to blogs, podcasts and WebTV shows, the opportunities for placement and pitching abound.

Today’s Straight Pitch turns to a global media organization that produces streaming radio and video programming including news and topical talk shows, webinars and pay-per-view presentations. The organization is VoiceAmerica/Modavox. Its executive producer is Stephan Jacob.

Jacob’s company offers a unique branding and marketing opportunity by opening the talk radio waves to anyone with an area of expertise, a roster of ideas for show content and the desire. It can be found online at www.voiceamerica.com.

THE STRAIGHT PITCH

Name:
Stephan M. Jacob

Position & Organization:
Executive Producer, VoiceAmerica/Modavox

Organizational Background/Audience Profile:
VoiceAmerica/Modavox is a global media entity that produces “LIVE” weekly radio shows, WebTV, webinars, video streaming, pay per view oppotunities, and creates a unique strategy for an enhancing a multiple points of presence on the internet for each of our 160+ hosts.

Due to our global approach and unique infrastructure there are no longer any geographical or time zone limitations. We can support up to 30 million simultanoeus (listeners) downloads through our live broadcasts, 12 hour same day re-broadcasts, 24/7 archive, and cellcasting using web enabled cell phones.

VoiceAmerica enjoys a loyal listening audience of 850,000 to 1,300,000 for its six genre based channels. We have combined a “tivo” approach with a “free” listener based model in a transformational/holistic environment.

Briefly describe your role:
As an executive producer, I am priviledged to work with a variety of hosts that run the gambit in experience. Each one sees VoiceAmerica as an opportunity to increase their exposure, marketing, as well as being able to offer our listeners an opportunity to purchase their various collaterals.

Since I am involved in producing shows in all six genres, I can assist my hosts with show development, branding, training, promotion, market development, archiving, monetization, and sponsorship/advertising.

Tell us a little about your background:
Having owned a media production/entertaiment company for over 20 years, I pioneered an individualized approach to providing unique solutions for a variety of clients.

Having authored numerous articles for marketing, technical, music, PR, and general subjects I bring a unique comunication style to each project to serve the client and their needs.

How do you prefer to be approached with story ideas?
The best way to contact me would be my email (stephan.jacob@modavox.com) or my office at 480-294-6423.

What key ingredients make a pitch appealing to you?
The best style for show ideas would be an overview of the host, their capabilities, qulifications, and reasons why they are interested in hosting their own show.

What methods of pitching or contents within a pitch turn you off to the idea?
What drives our audience to want to become one of the VoiceAmerica regular listeners is content. If the information is educational, entertaining, or timely than people will come to learn more.

Which are more helpful in your decision-making, press releases or fact sheets?
Both are fine.

Do you prefer broad story ideas or pitches intended for specific segments, features or placement?
A show idea should be able to fill a 13 week program, of one hour each week. Based upon our six genre based channels as well as the relevance of the topic usually determines what ideas are selected.

What else can PR professionals do to help you do your job?
With a greater knowledge of the power of “live” internet talk radio, PR professionals can assist their clients in taking the next step in the development of their business/careers.

Hosting a show with VoiceAmerica creates the opportunity to establish the host as an authority in their particular field. Since the host owns all the content, they are free to craft their own message, monetize their business, create greater visibility for themselves and their products/services.

Finally, PR professionals can also share the realities of moving their clients into media by letting them know that even Larry Kings’s wife needed to financially support their development. Bottom line being, if you are not willing to support yourself, why should an advertiser/sponsor?

Technorati Tags: Stephan Jacob, VoiceAmerica, Modovox, talk radio, talk shows, Internet radio, webisodes, webcasts, WebTV, webinars, video, audio, broadcast, broadcasting, story ideas, story pitches, media, media relations, public relations

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The Straight Pitch is a feature surveying media members at various levels of responsibility and influence and asking the general question, “How do you like to be pitched?” To recommend a media member, email us at jason@straightpitch.com. If you are a media member and would like to participate, please visit our media survey online by clicking here.

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