In sports radio programming circles, the name Mark Chernoff carries a lot of weight. As the longtime architect of WFAN, Chernoff has guided the New York sports station to decades of ratings and revenue success, managing high profile personalities, discovering and developing tomorrow’s stars, adapting to the rise of multi-platform content, and doing it all under the microscope of a feisty New York print media. It’s why BSM has introduced a new award this year in honor of one of the best to ever program a sports radio brand.
To earn consideration for the first ever Mark Chernoff award, sports radio programmers needed to possess the following; Strong leadership, vision, creativity, ratings history, and multi-platform excellence. Six candidates who checked those boxes were nominated for the award, and BSM’s twelve person voting committee weighed in the determine the first recipient. The six nominees were Chad Abbott of KFAN, Chris Kinard of 106.7 The Fan, Jeff Catlin of Sports Radio 1310/96.7 The Ticket, Mitch Rosen of 670 The Score/105.7 The Fan, Ryan Hatch of Arizona Sports 98.7, and Spike Eskin of 94WIP.
After processing the feedback, Barrett Sports Media is pleased to share that the first winner of the Mark Chernoff Award is Mitch Rosen. Mitch will be honored at the 2020 BSM Summit in New York on Thursday February 27th during the awards ceremony presented by Premier Radio Networks.
Under Rosen’s watchful eye, 670 The Score has been one of the most respected and successful sports stations in the country. The lifelong Chicagoan has spent over thirty years in Chicago radio working with elite brands such as The Score, ESPN 1000, WGN, WXRT and WLUP. He’s served as program director of 670 The Score since 2005, and took on the added responsibility and challenge of programming 105.7 The Fan in Milwaukee in July 2019.
“Mitch Rosen’s contributions to the sports radio format are endless,” said Barrett Sports Media President Jason Barrett. “Spend two minutes with Mitch, and you learn quickly just how much he loves this business and appreciates his people. So much about success in our industry depends on strong leadership, creativity, vision, and adaptability, qualities that Mitch Rosen not only possesses, but puts into action on a daily basis.”
Rosen was taken aback by the news, and wanted to thank all who’ve helped him along the way: “I’m extremely honored and humbled to receive this award. Mark is a dear friend and mentor who I’ve known for a long time. That makes this extra special. But this award is not about my individual accomplishments, but rather the power of the Score brand and everyone who has contributed to its success over the past 15 plus years. I’ve been fortunate to work with amazing people and terrific companies, and am proud to accept this honor on their behalf, and share the stage with Mark at the 2020 BSM Summit.”
Chernoff was equally happy when told that Rosen would receive the award: “I am so proud to know Mitch Rosen, truly one of the best program directors in America. Mitch knows all the tricks—how to work with talent, sales and management; deal with the ups and downs of the sports world, and come up with new ideas and solutions to address problems. I’m happy to call Mitch a friend as well as a co-worker, and look forward to seeing him in New York.”
Tickets for the 2020 BSM Summit on February 26-27, 2020 at the Ailey Citigroup Theater in New York are on-sale to media members for $299.99. For further information visit https://bsmsummit.com.
Jason Barrett is the President and Founder of Barrett Media since the company was created in September 2015. Prior to its arrival, JB served as a sports radio programmer, launching brands such as 95.7 The Game in San Francisco, and 101 ESPN in St. Louis. He also spent time programming SportsTalk 950 in Philadelphia, 590 The Fan KFNS in St. Louis, and ESPN 1340/1390 in Poughkeepsie, NY. Jason also worked on-air and behind the scenes in local radio at 101.5 WPDH, WTBQ 1110AM, and WPYX 106.5. He also spent two years on the national stage, producing radio shows for ESPN Radio in Bristol, CT. Among them included the Dan Patrick Show, and GameNight.
You can find JB on Twitter @SportsRadioPD. He’s also reachable by email at Jason@BarrettMedia.com.
