Recognizing those who make a significant impact in the news/talk radio business is a fun part of the BNM Summit. On Tuesday, we announced Red Apple Media and 77WABC Owner and CEO John Catsimatidis was selected to receive our Gold Standard in Leadership Award. Then on Wednesday, Premiere Networks President Julie Talbott was chosen as the Gold Standard in Business honoree. Today, we shift our attention to the programming department.
Looking across the country this year, WTOP in Washington D.C. has been on quite a run. The brand has consistently produced double-digit ratings, distancing itself from local competitors. It has also produced strong returns digitally through podcasts, written content, streaming, YouTube videos, and social media promotion. Combined with its revenue impact in the nation’s capital, the brand consistently delivers wins, and best-in-class content and journalism.
Leading WTOP’s programming charge since 2019 is Julia Ziegeler. Today, I am thrilled to share that she has been named our 2025 recipient of the Gold Standard in Programming Award. Julia will receive the honor on Thursday September 4th during the Premiere Networks awards ceremony.
Julia Ziegler has been with WTOP since 2002, starting with the radio station as an intern. She has held many roles over her twenty plus year career, including serving as executive producer of Talk Radio 3WT and Washington Post Radio, managing editor of FederalNewsRadio.com, and WTOP Digital News Director. Born and raised in Pennsylvania, she’s a graduate of Penn State University with a degree in journalism. She also has her M.A. in News Media Studies from American University.
A recipient of the Radio Hall of Fame’s 2022 “One to Watch” award, Ziegler will soon add another piece of hardware to her collection, when she takes the stage in New York City at the BNM Summit.
To join us for news media’s premier industry conference, visit BNMSummit.com for tickets.
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.
