St. Louis sports radio personality Michelle Smallmon never planned to work in the sports radio business, but a few different experiences in college convinced her to change her career direction. After getting a start at 101 ESPN as Bernie Miklasz’s producer, she moved to the ESPN Radio network to produce Ryen Russillo, Danny Kanell, Jorge Sedano and others. Those experiences allowed her to grow and return home to St. Louis where she now weighs in on the teams she loves most while also helping to shape 101’s social media strategy.
TOPICS COVERED WITH MICHELLE:
- How she initially became interested in sports media
- Landing her first opportunity at 101 ESPN
- The interview process to work with Bernie Miklasz
- What she learned producing him
- Being contacted for an opportunity in Bristol with ESPN Radio
- Working the evening shift with Jorge Sedano
- Moving to daytime to help Ryen Russillo and Danny Kanell
- What a typical day of producing national radio involved
- Why she chose to leave Bristol to return to St. Louis
- Adjusting from being Bernie’s producer to his on-air partner
- The best and hardest parts of working on a morning show
- What brands do that catches her attention on social media
- Areas where brands miss the mark on social media
- The differences in working in TV
- Quick Hits: More important – the next Cardinals WS title or another Blues Stanley Cup, Biggest heartbreak of her STL sports lifetime, the person who’s taught her most locally and nationally, toughest part of working for Jason Barrett
FROM THE GUEST:
Michelle’s Twitter handle: @MSmallmon
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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.
