The 2026 Barrett Media Audio Summit presented by Point to Point Marketing continues bolstering its lineup to assure attendees learn from the best in the sports media business. The 3-day event takes place June 30-July 2, 2026 at the SVA Theatre in NYC. Anyone working in the media business, whether in management, on-air, production, producing, advertising, sales, digital or up top, is welcomed to attend. Students pursuing degrees in broadcasting related fields may attend as well. Tickets are on-sale HERE.
This year’s gameplan is different than past conferences. The News/Talk Summit starts us off on Tuesday, June 30th. The Sports Media Summit takes place Wednesday, July 1st. And our very first Music Radio Summit closes out the event on Thursday, July 2nd. 48 speakers have been announced for the show so far, and there’s more still to come. The full list is available here.
We host this event to help the broadcasting industry. Learning from others that you don’t cross paths with who run businesses differently provides valuable insight. The networking opportunities in the hallways and at the after parties are also beneficial. Celebrating those who create impact and make a difference is the icing on the cake. We do all of that, and hope you’ll join us to see for yourself.
Meet the Speakers
Jeff Smulyan: Dubbed “The Father of the Sports Talk Format”, Jeff launched sports radio in New York City in 1987, overseeing WFAN’s early rise before selling the station in 1991 for $70 million dollars. It was the highest price ever paid for a radio station at the time. Jeff serves as CEO and Chairman of Emmis Communications, and is a radio hall of famer, former chair of the Radio Advertising Bureau, and former director of the National Association of Broadcasters. In addition, he was the principal shareholder of a group that purchased the Seattle Mariners in 1989. An honored guest and friend, Jeff has attended every Sports Summit we’ve hosted since 2019. He presents one radio industry executive with The Jeff Smulyan Award, an award that celebrates risk taking, leadership, and impact. We appreciate him making the trip to join us.
Mark Chernoff: The architect of WFAN’s rise to prominence from the 1990’s to the early 2020’s, Mark Chernoff is known as one of the greatest programmers in sports radio history. Still active on the radio airwaves in New Jersey on 107.1 The Boss and WFDU-FM and in Washington D.C. on 94.7 The Drive, Mark‘s love and passion for the radio industry remains strong. We’re grateful to have him on hand to present the Mark Chernoff Award to this year’s top sports program director.
Kevin Clark: The host of the widely successful, “This is Football“, and a regular contributor to ESPN television, Kevin Clark has become known for his insightful conversations with the biggest names in the NFL. He has covered the league since 2016, previously writing for The Ringer, and Wall Street Journal. One of Omaha Productions’ most popular personalities, Clark’s program has gained exposure on ESPN2 while attracting nearly 350,000 subscribers on YouTube. A graduate of the University of Miami with a degree in history and communications, this will be his second appearance at the Barrett Media Summit. We appreciate him making time to be a part of the show.
Brandon Tierney: Unwavering passion is what Brandon delivers anytime he gets behind the microphone. An accomplished host with local stints at WFAN, ESPN New York, 95.7 The Game, WDFN 1130 and a national run at CBS Sports Radio, Brandon is now building his own brand and business, hosting BT Unleashed on YouTube. In less than 90-days, Tierney’s channel gained nearly 20,000 subscribers, surpassing one million views, and securing multiple sponsorships. This is Brandon’s first appearance at the Summit since 2020. We’re excited to having him back.
Joon Lee: An independent sports journalist, Joon delivers exceptional content on YouTube, with over 41,000 subscribing to his channel. He has written op-eds for The New York Times and The Boston Globe and worked for ESPN, Bleacher Report and The Washington Post. Now, after building a foundation in traditional media, he is thriving independently, generating large numbers of views for each piece of content he creates. Joon was named a Creator on the Rise by YouTube in May 2025. Attendees will learn a lot when he takes the stage in NYC. We’re thrilled to have him participating.
Kraig Riley: Responsible for the programming direction of 93.7 The Fan in Pittsburgh, Kraig has overseen consistent ratings success while moving the brand forward digitally. A strong commitment to video, social media, and original digital content, while simultaneously maintaining focus on serving the traditional radio audience explains why 93.7 The Fan is highly respected. This will be Kraig’s first appearance on stage at the Summit. His fresh perspective and insight on what keeps 93.7 The Fan thriving will be a strong addition.
Tickets and Hotel Room Details
The 2026 Barrett Media Audio Summit presented by Point to Point Marketing takes place in New York City, June 30-July 2, 2026. News Talk kicks things off on Tuesday, June 30th. Sports is next on Wednesday, July 1st. Music takes us home on Thursday, July 2nd. Once each show concludes, after parties will take place to celebrate and network.
For those traveling to NYC, rooms are more expensive this summer due to the World Cup. However, Hotel Hayden is offering a discounted rate ($288 per night) for Summit attendees. Rooms will not last though, so act now before they fill up. Details are available on the Summit page.
In addition, brand leaders looking to reduce expenses do have a barter option. IMAR Entertainment is able to cover costs to allow industry professionals to attend the show. For details, click HERE or the photo below.
New Sponsors
We are excited to add Omaha Productions as our Sports Registration partner and Backbone as a featured Vendor. They join Point to Point Marketing, Premiere Networks, Core Image Studio, Xperi, JJ Surma Voiceovers, Red Apple Audio Networks, Collette, Ramsey Solutions, Harker Bos Group, Murphy, Sam & Jodi, Quu, Motor Racing Network, and Benztown Branding as conference partners. Without their support, shows like this are not possible.
Sponsorship opportunities are still available but going fast. To have your company involved with the media industry’s premiere conference, email Stephanie at Stephanie@BarrettMedia.com.
We are just 91 days away from showtime. Secure your ticket, reserve your room, and let’s make this year’s event, the best one yet. I hope to see you this summer in the big apple!
Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. Sign up for our newsletters to stay updated and get the latest information right in your inbox.
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.
