It is getting real. The full schedule for the 2025 BNM Summit is now posted on BNMSummit.com. Scroll down past the speakers and you’ll see what is planned for next week’s show. I do have one session to finalize as a result of a necessary change. I’ll have that resolved no later than tomorrow COB. I’m especially excited to see more market managers and program directors attending this year’s show. If you work in news media and want to join us, visit BNMSummit.com for tickets. They will be available until Monday September 1st.
Once we’re within two weeks of a Summit, I have to tune out the outside world. Between releasing the schedule, finalizing sponsorships, designing our program and on-screen visual presentations, producing the awards and open videos, listening and watching content to prepare for conversations, and handling last minute stuff that pops up, there’s no room to breathe let alone sleep. This year, we have a 10-year anniversary party too so it’s an even heavier lift. I care about delivering a valuable experience for those in attendance. If I’ve been slow to respond to texts, emails or calls, this is why. I’m sure you understand.
Emails are being sent to speakers/groups today and tomorrow so everyone has time to connect. Some shows post their agenda months in advance and give speakers a heads up on participants, times, and even topics or questions. I don’t do that. Too much changes in the world leading up to events. Case in point, the Cracker Barrell mess last week. I want the content to be current, and folks to offer honest, candid, and fresh ideas and opinions not rehearsed talking points. Our industry needs open minds and real discussion if it wants to grow. As long as folks know Day 1 is from 9a-5p and Day 2 is from 10a-12:30p, they’ll be fine. A strong show matters more than advanced planning.
I’d like to thank the Broadcasters Foundation of America for supporting the BNM Summit After Party. I’m looking forward to having Tim McCarthy and BFOA involved as our partner of the event. The party will take place at the Park Central Hotel from 6p-730p following Day 1. Another thank you as well to Mr. Master for signing on as a conference partner. 14 companies are now involved in this year’s show. We couldn’t deliver the event without their help.
In addition to building the Summit, I’m equally locked in on planning The Barrett Bash. Today, we have a few awesome announcements to make. A quick reminder first, if you’ve been sent an invitation and haven’t RSVP’d, please do so. Deadline to register is Tuesday September 2nd. We will not accept walk ups or day of registrations. If you didn’t get an invite, you can still get in by buying a ticket to the BNM Summit.
I want to thank Premiere Networks for serving as the presenting sponsor of The Barrett Bash. We have been fortunate to work with Premiere for years. Not only do they feature and distribute some of the best talent and content in all of radio, but their leadership team is comprised of first-class people. Stephanie Eads and I appreciate Julie Talbott, Peter Trippi, Hosea Belcher and the entire team being a big part of our 10-year journey. We look forward to celebrating together in NYC next week.
Now for some other exciting news. I am thrilled to share that WWE superstars Chelsea Green and Maxxine Dupri will join us at The Barrett Bash. My thanks to the WWE for their continued support of our brand. Nick Khan, Paul Levesque, Chris Legentil, Lee Fitting and Steve Braband do awesome work, and I’m proud to have them involved in our 10-year anniversary party. Chelsea and Maxxine will be on hand for a few hours taking photos, and chopping it up with guests. My thanks to both for making the trip to NYC to be part of our bash.
In addition, folks in the room are in for a treat when recording artist Twinnie takes the stage. She is flying up from Nashville to join us and will play sometime around 7pm. Her new single ‘Back to Jack‘ is very catchy and I’m excited for folks to have an opportunity to hear her. If you’re not familiar with her music, check her out. She’s excellent. My thanks to Twinnie for performing, and to Mike McVay and James Brennan for their help putting it together.
The list of people attending the Bash is extensive. I won’t list everyone since it’s a long list but I am looking forward to meeting new Audacy CEO Kelli Turner. Kelli will be there with Chris Oliviero, and Jeff Sottolano. Scott Sutherland, Erik Hellum, Mike Hulvey, Julie Talbott, Greg Strassell, Courtney Hirsch, Cameron Hendrix, Steve Newberry, Kevin Lopes, and Liz Alesse will also be in the room.
Among the talent registered are Angela Yee, Danny Parkins, Erick Erickson, Joy Taylor, Jim Kerr, Maggie Gray, Mark Simone, Damon Amendolara, Rich Shertenlieb, Freddie Coleman, Andrew Perloff, Tom and Deneen Borelli, and more. We also have well known agents, advertising and tech professionals, Fox News TV hosts, market managers, and program directors Skip Dillard, John Foxx, Steve Cohen, Justin Craig, Terrie Carr, Ann Thomas, Drew Anderssen, Pete Mundo, and Mark Chernoff attending among others.
I decided not to add a host since this is more about celebrating, networking, and having fun. There will be a few stage toasts made during the event. I’m keeping it to a small group of industry friends, partners, and staff. Stephanie Eads and I will also say a few words at some point. The event runs 5p-8p on Thursday September 4th at 1604 Broadway in NYC. You can not gain entry without being on the RSVP list.
My thanks to Red Apple Media for serving as our Red Carpet sponsor at the Bash. Expect to see a lot of photos at the Bash taken in front of the WABC Radio backdrop. I also want to thank Core Image Studio for being our badge sponsor. Check out Justin Dove’s exceptional imaging work if you haven’t yet done so.
ESPN Experiences Growing Pains
When a new product launches, it’s not uncommon for a few things to need fixing. ESPN launched its DTC platform last week, and it included some cool new features (Verts is excellent) and a sharp layout. The shows/sports are what matters most, and ESPN will be fine in that department.
I was surprised when I went on to the app for the first time. The first thing I saw were PFL fights featured in the top position. I expected to see the most important content front and center. When I checked today, the top section was much better with the US Open in the top spot. Some customers also ran into issues with content being featured that they couldn’t stream. I’m sure improvements will be made so be patient. People like to declare things a success or failure far too quickly. That said, this an important product launch for the so getting it right is critical.
Unrelated to the app, ESPN has been in the news lately for things it shouldn’t. Monica McNutt’s blunder over not knowing Druski was wearing a Barry Sanders jersey created a social media firestorm two weeks ago. Then on Friday, an ESPN post on X highlighted icons in sports. The issue, more WNBA players were on the image than NFL players (only 2 MLB players too), and Scottie Scheffler was among those missing completely.
The post was taken down, and it is just a tweet and poorly thought out image, but mistakes like that shouldn’t happen. ESPN has been known for decades as a leader in the sports space. With that comes responsibility. Prioritizing personal tastes and/or partnerships over what fans know and value most is the wrong move. I’m sure the situation has forced folks internally to review their checks and balances for creation and scheduling. The blessing and curse of promoting content for a brand as strong as ESPN is that everyone pays attention. Here’s to hoping they don’t land in the same spot in the future.
The Pretty Reckless Return, Three Days Grace Drop New Album
- Three Days Grace have officially released their new album, Alienation. The record features the return of original vocalist Adam Gonthier alongside current singer Matt Walst. As a whole, the band has never sounded better. The record features the hits ‘Mayday’, ‘Apologies’, ‘Kill Me Fast’, and ‘Dominate’ and others could earn future radio play too especially ‘Another Relapse’ and ‘Don’t Wanna Go Home Tonight’. I’m looking forward to seeing 3DG live on September 10th in New Jersey along with Breaking Benjamin. It’ll be the fifth time I see them, and they never disappoint.
- The new single from The Pretty Reckless ‘For I am Death’ is outstanding. Taylor Momsen crushes her vocal delivery, and Ben Phillips’ gritty guitar riff instantly pulls you in. I’m looking forward to hearing what else the group has in store for us in 2025-2026. The first impression was very strong.
- A job well done by Electric Callboy. Their rendition of Sum 41’s ‘Still Waiting‘ is excellent.
- Credit to Autumn Kings on their single ‘Hellbound‘ which also features Point North. Catchy tune.
- Four new country tunes grabbed my attention this week. They are Dasha‘s ‘Like It Like That‘, Lakeview‘s ‘Name in a Song‘, Taylor Acorn‘s ‘Hangman‘, and Morgan Wallen and Shaboozey‘s ‘Drunk‘. Speaking of Wallen, whether you’re a New England Patriots fan or not, his walkouts this weekend with head coach Mike Vrabel and former tight end Rob Gronkowski were awesome.
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Jason Barrett is the Founder and CEO of Barrett Media. The company launched in September 2015 and has provided consulting services to America’s top audio and video brands, while simultaneously covering the media industry at BarrettMedia.com, becoming a daily destination for media professionals. Prior to Barrett Media, Jason built and programmed 95.7 The Game in San Francisco, and 101 ESPN in St. Louis. He was also the first sports programmer for SportsTalk 950 in Philadelphia, which later became 97.5 The Fanatic. Barrett also led 590 The Fan KFNS in St. Louis, and ESPN 1340/1390 in Poughkeepsie, NY, and worked on-air and behind the scenes at 101.5 WPDH, WTBQ 1110AM, and WPYX 106.5. He also spent two years at ESPN Radio in Bristol, CT producing ‘The Dan Patrick Show’ and ‘GameNight’. JB can be reached on Twitter @SportsRadioPD or by email at Jason@BarrettMedia.com.
