The majority of the time spent at our annual BSM Summit is on ways to grow business, learn new ideas, build new connections, and address key industry issues. But one thing I specifically spend a lot of time on is making sure we use our platform to elevate people who have made a significant contribution to the industry.
We previously announced Julie Talbott will join us next month to receive the Jeff Smulyan Award for the outstanding work she’s done guiding Premiere Radio Networks, including working in tandem with Colin Cowherd to grow The Volume. We also shared that this year’s Mark Chernoff Award will be presented to Jimmy Powers for the tremendous work he’s done turning 97.1 The Ticket in Detroit into a consistent winner and one of sports radio’s elite brands.
Which brings us to our next announcement, this year’s Champions Award.
I created this honor a few years ago because I wanted to highlight people who use their influence and platform to do good for others. Covering sports, dishing out opinions, and connecting with audiences and advertisers is part of what we do each day, and most of it is fun. But tackling difficult real life issues can be hard especially when it involves challenges that affect us personally or those we know and root for across the business.
Last year we recognized Adam Schefter of ESPN for the way he stepped up to support Jeff Dickerson’s family after the former ESPN Chicago reporter and host lost his battle with cancer. The prior Summit we celebrated Keith Murphy and Andy Fales of KXNO in Des Moines, Iowa after six of their colleagues lost jobs and their station cut most local shows, and they took a stand, refusing to be part of the station’s future unless change took place. Their stance led to the reinstatement of the six terminated employees, a move of KxNo to the FM dial, and local advertisers and listeners rallying around them.
This year, we are honored to recognize a man who has shared his own mental health struggles to increase conversation and awareness of a very real, and serious issue impacting millions of people. He has embraced being uncomfortable and talking about personal challenges he’s gone through on television, social media, through a podcast in partnership with FOX Sports Radio and iHeartmedia, and as an author with the release of his book “Unbreakable: How I Turned My Depression and Anxiety Into Motivation and You Can Too.” It is my pleasure to recognize Jay Glazer as our 2023 Champions Award recipient.
Jay will join us at USC on Tuesday March 21st to receive the honor as part of the BSM Summit Awards ceremony presented by Premiere Networks. BSM will also make a $1,000 donation to MVP (Merging Vets and Players) to show our support for the outstanding work Jay is doing to help people who are battling mental health issues. If you too would like to offer support by making a donation, click here.
“I’m using my pain to help others through theirs,” Jay Glazer explained. “We all say “mental health” these days but who gives it words, what it’s like to suffer from depression and anxiety? I’m trying to give it words so people can lean into their “teammates” — husbands, wives, friends, kids, parents, co-workers — so we can all not have to go at it alone and walk this walk together.”
Whether you work on the air, behind the scenes, in management, on the field, court, ice or squared circle, or you’re involved in a different line of work outside of sports and media, depression is a serious issue affecting millions of people. Working in sports media comes with many advantages, among them, great access, recognition, and compensation. However, we also deal with a lot of pressure and are exposed to tons of noise and vitriol on a daily basis. What may seem to some as ‘part of the job’ can take a mental toll regardless of one’s fame, fortune or track record of success. The strongest of men and women can become vulnerable at any moment, and it’s ok to acknowledge that we aren’t bulletproof and experience these issues.
I know I speak for the industry when I say we’re thankful for the work Jay’s doing to elevate awareness of this issue, and look forward to recognizing him in Los Angeles at the BSM Summit. To learn more about Jay’s work with MVP, go here. For additional details on hotel rooms and tickets for the Summit, visit 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.
