Since 2016, one of the highlights each year on this website has been our BSM Top 20. This year was no exception. The seven day series is our largest traffic driver of the year because it shines the light on 240 sports radio brands, personalities, program directors and podcasts who are making an impact in the sports audio business. Helping the credibility for the series is the fact that the results are determined by industry programmers and executives.
But after the Top 20 series ends, I like to step back and evaluate what we did well, and where we can improve. I appreciate that so many pay attention to the series, but I know this business is big and there are many others who contribute to the success of a radio station or talk show. It’s why we’ve created other content over the years such as The Producers Podcast, 5 Podcasts in 5 Days, Managing The Crisis, and have had imaging and voice talents like Justin Dove and Mark Rider write guest columns. If we can help industry pros learn how to do one or two things better, it makes the work we’re doing even more meaningful.
One position though that hasn’t received much attention over the years has been the Market Manager. These are the leaders of America’s best radio groups and without their guidance, knowledge, and support for the programmer and on-air staff, the sports stations you enjoy listening to most could be drastically different. These professionals are expected to manage multiple brands inside of a cluster, and be skilled in programming, sales, promotions, digital, research, engineering, etc.. Others in a building may take credit or blame for a station’s results, but corporate groups expect the Market Manager to be accountable for ratings and revenue, while simultaneously growing and/or maintaining a brand’s relevance, reputation, and relationships.
Understanding how pivotal this position is to each market’s success, and recognizing how many involved in the content space don’t know the stories behind the men and women in these roles or how they’ve created impact in their respective markets, I wanted to develop a series which would shine the light on our industry’s top leaders. There are so many questions to be answered as we try to move our industry forward while battling stiffer competition, changes in technology, and difficulties created by Covid-19, and who better to ask than those tasked with navigating our brands thru a sea of uncertainty.
I’m pleased to announce that starting tomorrow on the BSM website, we will kick off a 15-week series titled ‘Meet The Market Managers‘. Demetri Ravanos and I will write the series, and we’re excited to chat with and feature many of the industry’s best. Our first feature will be on Good Karma Brands VP and Partner, and the man charged with guiding ESPN Cleveland 850 WKNR, Sam Pines. Details on other market managers we’ll be featuring in the series will be made available prior to each Wednesday’s release.
I want to take a moment to thank and recognize Tim Bronsil and the team at Point to Point Marketing. When I mentioned the idea of creating this series to highlight Market Managers and treat our readers to their insights on the industry, Point To Point didn’t hesitate to support it. Already an established force in audience development marketing working with the majority of radio operators, Point to Point has been a friend to many of our industry’s best brands and leaders, and they were the perfect partner for this project. If your station is looking for ways to create robust audience growth and long-term retention, I encourage you to check them out by clicking here.
We have a preliminary schedule set for the 15-week series, but if there’s someone in the industry who you think is exceptional as a market manager, and is worthy of being featured, please email JBarrett@sportsradiopd.com. We hope you enjoy learning a little bit about the industry’s top market managers and welcome your feedback along the way.
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.
