Barrett Media’s Top 20 series wraps up today with Sports Radio’s Top 20 Major and Mid Market Sports Stations. Our 10th season was our biggest yet as we added Music Radio alongside Sports and News/Talk. Judging by the amount of attention over the past month, it looks like many of you enjoyed it. My thanks to all who voted, checked out the lists, shared them on social, and talked them up on the air. An even bigger thank you to Steve Stone Voiceovers, Radio.Cloud and JJ Surma Voiceovers for supporting the Top 20 series.
Later today, Dave Greene and I will record a video to recap the results of the sports radio series. It will be posted on the Barrett Media YouTube page once its ready. Jeff Lynn and I previously recorded one for the Music Radio crowd. Garrett Searight and I taped one for the News/Talk audience as well. By the way, I created a tab up top on the website to make the lists from all years easier to find. Just click the BM Top 20 tab and you’ll be able to sort from 2015-2024.
I’ve had a lot of people ask ‘what about doing a list on small markets, night hosts, producers, Spanish/Christian formats, Imaging Directors’, etc.. I appreciate the interest and enthusiasm. We’ll always consider ways to improve the series, but we can’t do it all. Not every category is broad enough to make sense. For that reason, we’re planning to stick with the current model, while keeping the door open on possible additions. One thing I’d like to do is expand the series into television and digital/podcasting. Stay tuned.
I know that the Top 20 series gets a lot of people fired up. It’s a celebration of their work and the brands they represent, and to learn that your peers value what you contribute to the industry is a great feeling. These lists are very subjective though, so if you didn’t make the cut, it’s not the end of the world. I had a ton of emails, DMs, tweets, and phone calls from folks who were upset over not making the list or being ranked too low. I appreciate the competitiveness, but if you feel that way you’re missing the larger point.
First of all, if you’re focused on your own performance, chances are you’re not monitoring what others are doing. You’re not going to know the revenue and ratings story of most out of market shows or how programmers and executives view the originality of those programs or the buzz they produce inside the business. You may have higher ratings and host a show in a bigger city on a great station, but that doesn’t mean you have a better show or deserve a higher ranking.
I remember a publication putting out a list of Top PDs across all formats back during my programming days. One person in the Top 7 hadn’t had a content meeting with his on-air team in 3 years. People inside the building were stunned. This is why I involve industry leaders in the voting process. They may not get it all right, but they’re at least aware of those type of situations. I consume more content than most, and have access to a lot of data, but I don’t vote because it’s about how the industry views itself, not how Jason Barrett sees it.
Rather than getting worked up over not making the list or not being rated as high as you think you should be, have fun with it. No show in the country did that better than Melissa and Austin on US99 in Chicago. They could’ve gotten bent out of shape over a top 3 market morning show being left off the Country list. Instead, they stayed on brand and turned the omission into a brilliant piece of content. This was easily the best thing I saw created this year around the series.
The bigger reason why the Top 20 series matters is because it highlights the rich amount of talent and quality brands across all formats in the radio business. Radio is often overlooked and talked negatively about by many on the outside of the business. Frequent layoffs, declining stock prices, and attacks on the industry from automakers, and competitors like Spotify don’t help paint a colorful picture either.
But when you see the faces and logos of the industry’s top talent, programmers, and stations, it reminds you that there’s still a ton to be excited about. 220 shows/stations/PDs in News/Talk, 320 in Music Radio, and another 220 in Sports Radio were recognized over the past month. A lot of great radio is happening across America’s airwaves, and we’ve got to do a better job as an industry telling that story. Seeing the excitement on-air and across social media from industry folks reminded me of why we invest so much time in putting this together.
As cool as it is to share your rankings with fans, friends, and family, I hope you also forwarded the lists/results to your sales team. Make sure they are sharing the news with advertisers and media buyers. It won’t change how much those clients invest in you, but it reinforces to them that they’re in business with a winner, at least in the eyes of those who know inside the industry. Anything that helps keep your brand image strong in the eyes of business partners is something you have to do to remain valued and supported. It might not be a bad idea to do the same with your GM or Executive bosses.
I started the Top 20 series to celebrate the radio business. We do it to show respect to many who are doing outstanding work, but don’t always receive the recognition they deserve. Hopefully you enjoyed following along as much as we did creating the lists. My only request for next year, take some damn photos guys! You’re inside of studios with cameras everywhere. There’s no reason for your last photo on social media to be 5-10 years old.
As I put a bow on this, I want to thank Dylan Barrett, Stephanie Eads, and the rest of our team for keeping content on track during the series. I’d also like to thank the voters and sponsors because none of this works without them. I appreciate everyone supporting the series, and look forward to making next year, bigger and better!
2025 BSM Summit Planning
With the Barrett Media Top 20 series now in the books, our focus turns to the 2025 BSM Summit presented by Point to Point Marketing. I’m planning to reveal our next group of speakers next week. I’ve got a ton of requests to speak to sort through, and as I state each year, I can’t accommodate all requests. Delivering the best content with the most informed, recognized, and successful people in the industry is the top priority. Submissions though can be emailed to Jason@BarrettMedia.com.
A special February ticket sale is in progress to help folks save $25 on individual tickets. We’ve also secured our After Party location for the show, The Chicago Sports Museum & Harry Caray’s 7th Inning Stretch. The venue is located at Water Tower Place, 835 North Michigan Avenue, and it’s just blocks away from the MCA, our Summit venue. We’ll host the After Party at 6pm on Thursday May 8th, an hour after Day 1 of the Summit. Additional thanks to Magellan AI, Core Image Studio, MRN, and Quu for signing on as event partners. If interested in exploring sponsorship opportunities, please email Stephanie@BarrettMedia.com.
Those traveling to Chicago for the event, and in need of a room can find one with our hotel partner, The Westin Michigan Avenue. A special nightly rate of $249.99 has been reserved for Summit attendees. To book your room, go here.
CRS
- Jeff Lynn just started an eight-day series for the website titled ‘Countdown to CRS‘. His first feature is on RJ Curtis. Check it out. I’m happy to share that Stephanie Eads and I will be in Nashville this year for CRS. I’ve heard great things about the show, and I’m excited to learn and meet a lot of new people. If you’re planning to attend, email Jason@BarrettMedia.com and if schedules align, we’ll be happy to say hello. For details on CRS 25, go here.
Barrett Media Staffing Additions and Needs
- I’m pleased to welcome John Mamola as a columnist and contributor to the Barrett Media writing team. John and I have known each other for a decade. He did excellent work for WDAE in Tampa, and is very familiar with our brand. He’s supported our Summit’s, shared numerous pieces we’ve produced on social media, and has a firm grasp on the sports radio business. I’m excited to add his insights to the brand to both challenge and inform our audience. He starts contributing content next week!
- In addition to John, I’m thrilled to share that Charese Fruge is adding more to her plate for Barrett Media. Charese’s industry features on music radio broadcasters have been well received. I’m excited to give her extra content to produce to further serve music radio professionals.
- We are committed as a brand to covering the ins and outs of the business across all formats. Sports and News/Talk have been strong for years, and our entry into covering Music Radio started in July. We have a strong team in place for covering Country, AC, Rock, Alternative, and Classic Rock/Hits, but one format we’re thin on is Urban/Hip Hop. I’m looking to add a Features Writer to highlight brands and individuals in the Urban/Hip Hop format. If that’s you or if you know someone, email Jason@BarrettMedia.com.
- I’m also searching for a Social Media Coordinator. X, Facebook and LinkedIn don’t love brands that promote written content. However, we’re an industry online publication, not a radio or TV outlet. I’m looking for someone with video editing experience, a knack for creating catchy graphics/images, a passion for broadcasting, and an ability to write. Essentially a well rounded, creative, multiplatform producer. I’ve talked to some sharp people, and feel good about a few candidates, but until we’ve made a hire, the process remains open. If you or someone you know fits the bill, email Jason@BarrettMedia.com.
- Lastly, I want to officially welcome Newsmax, Mike Gallagher, Quu, Harker Bos Group, and Radio America as 2025 marketing partners. Stephanie Eads and I have been working hard to build relationships to grow the business, and serve our clients. We are grateful for the support, and have a few others in progress who we’re looking forward to reaching the finish line with soon. To cover this business as extensively as we do, support is needed. We’re fortunate to work with great people and brands to do just that.
Worth Reading
- My column last week on David Field generated a lot of attention. I appreciate all who reached out to share that they felt the piece was fair. I’d be lying if I said I felt comfortable writing it. I have a lot of respect for David, but knew it was a topic that had to be addressed. Expecting people to read and respect your work is much harder if you disappear when big industry issues occur.
- If you haven’t read Dave Greene’s column from last week, do it. He addressed the reality of layoffs in the media business after seeing news of Kevin Winter being let go by ESPN Radio. If you work in the business, you owe it to yourself to stay informed, and ready for anything.
- Derek Futterman was in New Orleans last week, and did a great job for us on media row. He wrote a few good pieces tied to Super Bowl angles, and captured a number of video reactions from sports radio shows to their Top 20 rankings. If you missed the videos, make sure you’re following Barrett Media on X.
- Dr. Ed Cohen‘s column last week on Programmatic Video Advertising was very interesting. Advertising and TV folks will want to go back and read it if they missed it during Super Bowl week.
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.
