I’m looking forward to the BNM Summit in Nashville this week.
After doing “the talk”, there’s the music. Nashville, “Music City,” is a great town with a vibrant culture, rich history, and contemporary charm, from the Grand Ole Opry to the thriving live music on Lower Broadway. In addition to music, there’s the food, from hot chicken to gourmet farm-to-table cuisine, and of course, BBQ! It’s a great town to explore.
It’s been a while since I’ve been at a radio gathering. What Jason and the crew have put together looks like a fine event. It will be great to see old friends and make new ones too.
I’m especially excited to moderate the “Talking With Talent” session on Day 1 of the Summit (September 13th). It’s a great panel with nationally syndicated hosts Erick Erickson, Chad Benson, and Tony Katz.
The synopsis says it will be an “in-depth discussion on understanding target audiences, the pros and cons of political talk, how top performers prefer to be managed, and more.” I suppose I should start working on questions in those areas, huh?
Whether you’re attending the Summit or not, what topics and questions are you interested in? Email your ideas to me at andy@andybloom.com or via X (formerly Twitter – can’t we just keep saying Twitter?) @AndyBloomCom.
On the second day of the Summit, I’m participating in Barrett News Media’s version of “Shark Tank.” Fellow BNM columnist Peter Thiele and I will serve as “special advisers” for the session, which will include contributions from Guaranty Media VP/Market Manager Gordy Rush, KTRS Program Director and Morning Show Host McGraw Milhaven, KOA Newsradio 850/94.1 Program Director Dave Tepper, and more.
The assignment is crushing for me. I auditioned to be one of the “sharks” for the BNM Summit. I could do a mean Mark Cuban or Mr. Wonderful, or so I thought. It might be the closest I ever came to being filthy rich. C’est la vie.
Whether we know one another or not, please come and say hi. Please say hi to me whether you agree or disagree with my opinions.
Finally, I want to acknowledge the guy whose name is on the door, so to speak. This week marks the eighth anniversary of Barrett Media. Jason and I spoke shortly after he left the programming gig at 95.7 The Game in San Francisco. He had big plans for Barrett Media – and I thought they were ambitious. But Jason pulled it off with determination, persistence, and intelligent strategy. Not only did he do it, but after establishing his presence in sports radio, he doubled down with a second site for news/talk.
Doubting Jason Barrett is a fool’s errand.
I’m proud to be a contributor to Barrett Media for over a year now.
Congratulations, Jason, to everybody who contributes to Barrett Media, and checks it frequently for information.
I’ll see y’all in Nashville at the BNM Summit.
Andy Bloom is president of Andy Bloom Communications. He specializes in media training and political communications. He has programmed legendary stations including WIP, WPHT and WYSP/Philadelphia, KLSX, Los Angeles and WCCO Minneapolis. He was Vice President Programming for Emmis International, Greater Media Inc. and Coleman Research. Andy also served as communications director for Rep. Michael R. Turner, R-Ohio. He can be reached by email at andy@andybloom.com or you can follow him on Twitter @AndyBloomCom.
