Season 3 of the BSM Podcast begins with an appearance by ESPN Radio Senior Vice President Traug Keller. The 20+ minute conversation conversation covers a number of key industry items including Traug’s view on the present state of the ESPN Radio lineup, the network’s focus on digital growth, ESPN’s commitment to diversity, how the company will adjust if sports betting is legalized, the proper length of time a new show deserves in order to prove itself, whether ESPN is interested in purchasing more local stations, and much more.
The new season also features the debut of The BSM 180. The new three minute feature examines the importance of programming and sales working together, PD’s taking a stronger interest in their station’s beyond the ratings, and what companies should be doing to involve and excite the leader’s of their operations.
SUBJECTS COVERED WITH TRAUG:
- The present state of the ESPN Radio lineup
- How ESPN measures a show’s impact on a national scale
- Whether the national sports radio space is overcrowded
- Radio’s ability to sell digital and ESPN’s ability to monetize it
- If sports betting gets legalized, how will ESPN respond?
- The Michael Kay’s show recent win in the NY winter ratings book
- What owning local radio stations means to ESPN’s business
- Whether ESPN has interest in purchasing additional stations
- ESPN’s commitment to diversity and why it’s a high priority
- Bomani Jones, Colin Cowherd and Dan Patrick
- John Skipper’s unexpected departure from ESPN
- First impressions of new ESPN President Jimmy Pitaro
- The rise of media people attacking other media people
- How long a new show deserves to connect with an audience
- Quick Hits: State of Audio/Radio, ESPN misconceptions, Future changes, One move
FROM THE GUEST
Traug’s Twitter handle: @TraugK
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Jason Barrett is the Founder and CEO of Barrett Media. The company launched in September 2015 and has provided consulting services to America’s top audio and video brands, while simultaneously covering the media industry at BarrettMedia.com, becoming a daily destination for media professionals. Prior to Barrett Media, Jason built and programmed 95.7 The Game in San Francisco, and 101 ESPN in St. Louis. He was also the first sports programmer for SportsTalk 950 in Philadelphia, which later became 97.5 The Fanatic. Barrett also led 590 The Fan KFNS in St. Louis, and ESPN 1340/1390 in Poughkeepsie, NY, and worked on-air and behind the scenes at 101.5 WPDH, WTBQ 1110AM, and WPYX 106.5. He also spent two years at ESPN Radio in Bristol, CT producing ‘The Dan Patrick Show’ and ‘GameNight’. JB can be reached on Twitter @SportsRadioPD or by email at Jason@BarrettMedia.com.
