The Toast to 10 series presented by Premiere Networks, is a month-long series looking back on 10 years of Barrett Media. Throughout the month, you’ll hear from those who’ve shaped the company, managed and created the content, read the site, and partnered with the brand between 2015-2025 to share how they’ve seen it play a role in covering the media industry and educating, celebrating, and challenging the business.
In the five years that Barrett Media has featured news media coverage, it has made a great impact in the news/talk radio genre.
In addition to launching the wildly popular Top 20 series for news/talk shows, stations, and program directors, the brand has also launched the BNM Summit, which has brought the best and brightest minds in the genre together in locations like Nashville, New York, and Washington, D.C.
The latest installment in the Toast to 10 series includes a chat with some of the best program directors in news/talk radio, why they appreciate the coverage provided by Barrett Media, what they like best, what they think could be improved upon, and where the brand could evolve in the coming years.
If you polled the industry, many would tell you that Ken Charles — the Director of Branding and Content at Atlanta’s 95.5 WSB — is the best program director in all of news/talk radio.
So, what he says matters.
Charles said he became aware of the brand as it made its foray into the news media space.
“Jason was only doing sports then, but it hit my radar as the place to go to find out everything going on in the sports radio and TV space,” Charles said. “Looking for talent for all sorts of things and knowing that sports positions on radio and TV were diminishing, I thought it was a good place to keep up on the happenings in that space and maybe a place to find new talent. It turned out to be both. Then when Barrett expanded to news/talk, I was already familiar with him and the quality content he created and connections he had.”
When Barrett Media announced plans to go into the news/talk format, Charles had an instant reaction.
“When I saw it the first time, I said, ‘It’s a bout time!'” he joked.
He said he’s kept coming back because “I liked the quality of the content. It kept me in touch with the industry, it made me aware of people doing unique things and talent on the move, and some of Jason’s editorials made me think.”
Ken Charles added that he appreciates the “diversity of voices” that write for Barrett Media, including Perry Michael Simon, Dr. Ed Cohen, and Jason Barrett, among others.
“It makes me think, it keeps me up to date on everything and everyone who makes a difference in this industry, and it helps me keep connected with the people who will shape this industry for the next generation,” Charles shared. “I love people who are evangelists for our format and for radio in general Barrett and his contributors are all that.
“It is a really important time for our industry, and we need as many voices as possible out there reminding people we are not dead or dying,” he continued. “Screw podcasts or social media, they will not be the death of spoken word radio. I said that on stage during the third annual BNM Summit, and I read that sentiment everyday in the newsletter and columns by Jason and the team.”
Charles — a self-avowed evangelist for news/talk radio — shared that he hopes Barrett Media continues to focus on the “news” end of news/talk radio, noting that “talk may have bigger personalities, but it is the news that really drives new cume to many of our brands.”
The 95.5 WSB leader concluded his comments by sharing his thanks and appreciation to the brand for helping keep the format honest, relevant, and introspective during its decade in existence.
“Thank you, Jason, for giving us the pulpit to preach for our format,” he said. “We have been given great power as programmers, news people, or talk hosts by being given these amazing platforms. But as Uncle Ben in the original Spider-Man movie says, ‘With great power comes great responsibility.’
“We need to remember that responsibility and use our power wisely to inform and entertain our audiences. Especially in the times we live in now.”
Brad Lane is the Brand Manager of 830 WCCO, the Audacy news/talk brand in the Twin Cities. He and Jason Barrett have known each other for decades, going back to their days working on an ESPN Radio advisory board.
He’s been a follower of the brand since the early days, and says he was drawn to it by a need to keep up with what’s happening in the industry.
“I think we’re all drawn to updates about what’s going on in media (particularly news/talk and sports),” said Lane. “It’s a way to keep up with stations, the industry, and personalities. On a daily basis, there’s always a nugget or two that I didn’t know about – and some of the in-depth features help peel back the curtain on someone we thought we knew, or an operation that might have some ideas we can co-opt.”
While other industry trade publications may focus on other items, Brad Lane shared he appreciates that the focus of Barrett Media’s news/talk coverage is on what matters most to him.
“The consistency and focus on content. Other publications seem to spotlight more sales, ratings, or station/network transactions, not that those aren’t important, but Barrett really showcases programming; and champions our industry in telling our narrative,” he shared.
At a time when many are decrying the death of AM/FM radio, or news/talk radio in favor of podcasting, the 830 WCCO brand manager said he finds value in a brand that continues to celebrates, educates, and challenges the format when needed.
“We are all incredibly challenged to stay relevant; to do as much if not more with less (people and resources),” he said. “A platform that not only covers but helps celebrate the successes (while also chronicling the struggles) of our format & industry helps us all realize the impact we still have.”
David Wood serves as the Program Director of 93 WIBC, the Radio One Indianapolis news/talk station.
Wood admitted he began paying attention to Barrett Media when it was mainly focused on the sports radio and television sectors.
However, he was drawn to the content of the site by the “passion for the business and consistently interesting content.”
He believes the news/talk radio content has filled a much-needed spot in the format.
“It really has filled an industry information void for programming people. When AllAccess closed, we lost a central clearinghouse for programming news. Barrett Media has filled that hole and put it on steroids,” he said. “I just opened it, and I see 15 pieces of content produced today. The columns are thought-provoking. I think the ‘Top 20’ lists are always fun. They have caused me to think, ‘I should pay more attention to this station or that talent.’
“I also like the newsletters at the beginning and end of the day,” he continued. “That is where I first decide what content I am going to consume that day.”
When asked where and how he expects Barrett Media to evolve in the coming years, he said a podcast network could be a valuable tool in the future.
Wood echoed the thoughts of others by sharing his appreciation that the brand isn’t afraid of challenging the industry and format when needed.
“It’s important because it has not existed in a meaningful way for some time. It’s not just a press release distribution site,” he stated. “I like how JB ‘tells it like it is.’ He’s not afraid to call out big companies when mistakes are made. You share thoughts that others cannot. Early in my career, I couldn’t wait to see the newest issue of Radio & Records (dating myself here!). It connected the industry. You have created that vibe on the site.”
Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. To stay updated, sign up for our newsletters and get the latest information delivered straight to your inbox.
Garrett Searight is Barrett Media’s News Editor, which includes writing daily news stories, features, and opinion columns. He joined Barrett Media in 2022 after a decade leading several radio brands in several formats, as well as a 5-year stint working in local television. In addition to his work with Barrett Media, he is a radio and TV play-by-play broadcaster. Reach out to him at Garrett@BarrettMedia.com.
