We are just two months away from hosting the 2025 BSM Summit presented by Point to Point Marketing in Chicago. This means it’s time to start ramping up speaker announcements, and today, we have a good one.
If you haven’t bought your ticket, you can do so by clicking here. Those in need of hotel accommodations can enjoy a reduced rate of $249.99 per night by clicking here. The Westin Michigan Avenue is this year’s hotel partner. For the full list of speakers we’ve announced for the show so far, go here.
Before I discuss today’s announcement, I want to thank ESPN Radio for continuing to support the BSM Summit After Party. This year’s day 1 post-event bash will take place at the Chicago Sports Museum. The Museum is connected to Harry Caray’s 7th Inning Stretch, and it is awesome. I’m sure folks will love what ESPN Radio has planned for giveaways at the party. Also, I’m pleased to share that both Jeff Smulyan and Mark Chernoff will be in attendance for the annual awards ceremony. I look forward to seeing them both.
Now for today’s special guest speaker announcement.
I’ve been fortunate over the years to welcome exceptional leaders to the Summit stage for Keynote Conversations. Jimmy Pitaro, Eric Shanks, John Skipper, Caroline Beasley, and Erika Ayers Badan have all been gracious enough to make time to speak and address their views on the industry’s modern day challenges and areas of opportunity. This year, I’m pleased to share that our day 1 Keynote Conversation will feature ESPN President of Content, Burke Magnus.
Burke was promoted to President of Content in March 2023. Since taking the reins he has restructured ESPN’s Content organization, and currently oversees all studio shows, live events, newsgathering, investigative journalism, original content/ESPN Films, the Talent Office, and audio, digital, and social media brands. If it impacts any part of ESPN’s programming, Burke is ultimately responsible.
A 28-year ESPN veteran, he is known as a relationship builder. He’s driven new, cross-platform (linear, direct-to-consumer, digital, social, etc.) agreements and/or extensions with the NFL, MLB, NHL, SEC, LaLiga and more. Additionally, he has managed rightsholder relationships, content strategy, and cross-platform programming rights acquisition/scheduling on a global basis. Burke was also a key driver in launching ESPN+.
The New Jersey native joined ESPN in 1995, initially working as a program associate before being promoted a year later to program planner. His lengthy run with ESPN has afforded him a front row seat and key voice in the company’s growth process. Given where the brand sits today as one of the most powerful forces in all of media, and considering how rapidly the media climate continues to change, I’m looking forward to picking his brain on a variety of key industry issues.
The Keynote Conversation with Burke Magnus will take place inside the MCA on Thursday May 8, 2025 from 11:40a-12:15p. Our full event schedule will be released closer to the event. To learn more about the man leading ESPN’s programming charge, check out his recent appearance on the SI Podcast with Jimmy Traina.
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.
