The month before a conference my brain pulls me in a million directions. I have to consult clients, manage day-to-day publishing needs, and nail down our final speakers, sessions, and sponsorships. Then comes announcing the final agenda, connecting speakers, and building the creative for the Summit. There’s no giant production crew pulling this off. It’s Stephanie Eads, Dylan Barrett, Andy Drake and I with additional contributions from our editors and videographer Travis Williams.
Steph doesn’t love this part of the event because she has to field questions about topics, schedules, and attendees while securing sponsors and ordering items needed for the show. I remind her often, we do a ton for our partners, speakers, and attendees. If the one thing we can’t do is give them months of lead time to know who’s in the room to connect with, they’ll be fine. The priority is bringing the right people into the room and delivering a great experience. If we do that, people are happy. If we don’t, nobody will care if they knew the attendees list or agenda one-month or three-months in advance.
Having said that, I’m planning to release the full agenda sometime this week. I’m just waiting on a few final things to be settled. After that’s done, I’ll start connecting groups by email to allow time for planning. This year’s Summit is going to be special. I’m extremely excited about what we’ve assembled. Hopefully you’re making plans to join us in New York City June 30-July 2. Tickets can be purchased here.
I start really thinking deeper about the show when we’re four-weeks out. Assembling an all-star cast for a Summit is fun, but I feel a responsibility to the professionals who leave their office for 1, 2 or 3 days. I want them to learn something and leave NYC feeling that it was worth it. I’ve said it many times, the industry benefits when accomplished people share ideas, information, and insight honestly. Forming and extending relationships goes a long way too. Every minute of every session between 9a and 5p matters, and if we get it right, that makes the after parties much more enjoyable.
But there’s one part of this process that frustrates me. Many talk about getting better and how good they’re doing, but never step foot into the room. They don’t go to other industry shows either. I’m not talking about the person who had a pre-planned vacation and can’t make it. Or the professional who has another work commitment or has to run multiple brands due to recent changes. Those are understandable. More times than not, those folks make it to the next show.
No, I’m talking about the individual who only goes back and forth between work and home and occasionally attends the local station event or business dinner. They talk about innovating and how their market and company operates at a higher level but they’re using the same playbook from 2006 or 2016. They’re comfortable in their bubble but when the bubble bursts, they’re lost. They’ll go right back to seeking the next job, offering to do the same thing they just did without learning from the experience. They don’t invest in themselves or in finding new ways to grow.
How can you help others win or advance their careers if you’re not doing it for yourself? Our industry is rapidly changing. What we covered at the first Summit in 2018 is outdated now in 2026. 2027 will be even more complex than 2026. Are you fully prepared?
In the past few years, ratings credit changed from 5-minutes to 3-minutes, and new entrants entered the space. Some companies are not even using the system that has defined past success. How can one group claim victory now in a market if the other side doesn’t play the game? Furthermore, how do you explain audience impact when podcasting data, social media analytics, and video views tell different stories? I’ve had the benefit of looking at measurement data and analysis tools from overseas that are fantastic. When new technology starts catching on here, how many reading this will be ready?
Many are on top of things but plenty still don’t understand what’s happening to social media content promotion or what to adjust. Algorithms are crushing your reach and engagement, yet many are posting like it’s 2019. Search is being dismantled, yet some brands will create written content today and promote it across X and Facebook, unaware of whether or not anyone sees it. AI arrived in the past few years, and some have used it to write imaging or create photos, but how many use it for market research, production, social media scheduling, revenue generation or newsletter building and strategy? As programmatic advertising gets hurt due to a decline in pageviews, what’s Plan B? More importantly, how are you finding talent and incentivizing them to stay in traditional media when they can do it without you?
As a business owner myself, I can’t afford to be complacent. From the time I wake up until the time I shut my eyes, I’m thinking about how we can stay ahead. I’m not just a former sports radio program director, I’m a media business leader who has built an independent business that has created influence, impact, content, relationships, and revenue. I don’t say that to brag, I point it out because it’s a big part of why we host this conference. Growth must be a constant focus in your professional life if you want to do this well for an extended period of time.
I’m not suggesting I have it all figured out. I don’t. It’s why I invite 80+ people across all companies and markets to join us and share their wisdom and experiences. The fact that some media folks won’t attend or even respond to a free-ticket invitation is disappointing but not unexpected. John Mamola, Jim Ryan, Ray Stevens and I discussed the recent surge of veteran radio talent and programmers retiring, exiting or being let go on last week’s 4-Cast. Economics are a factor, of course. But do you not think that some companies see certain employees being perfect for a prior model and not for the present or future?
I don’t want to get left behind. I don’t want you to either. So let’s help each other. I’ll do the heavy lifting and create an event that unites the sharpest professionals across the media industry. You simply show up, learn and apply what you gained to help your employer. Fair enough?
Summit Sponsorships
We are four weeks and one day away from the 2026 Barrett Media Audio Summit. I’m pleased to welcome Audacy as a partner of this year’s show. With their addition, the Summit now has support from 26 partners. Thank you to each group that has signed on to be a part of the conference.
With this being a three-day conference with a focus on news, sports, and music, we have more than usual to offer. Six or seven opportunities are still available. We’d love to finish strong with help from a few additional companies. Involve your business in the media industry event of the summer by contacting Stephanie Eads at Stephanie@BarrettMedia.com. Sponsorships are available until June 19th. After that we are shutting everything down to focus on preparation and execution.
Summit Ticket Winners
We sent out four email blasts and social posts last week to giveaway some tickets to the show. I thought we’d get 10-20 entries and expected to give away 5-6 tickets. Over 75 poured in so I’m being extra generous. Thank you to all who expressed interest. Here are the winners of the contest. Each has a ticket to join us at the 2026 Barrett Media Audio Summit presented by Point to Point Marketing.
- Sports: Marissa Rives, SiriusXM, Kevin Graham, Locked On, Rick Rubin, Audacy New York, Zach Bye, Denver Sports, Allen Stiles, Sactown Sports, Jake Duhaime, Maxx MGMT, Jim Irizarry, Mid-West Family, Tim Statskiewicz, Beasley Media Boston, Gary Sarner, ROI360+, Cierra Clark, SEC Unfiltered, Mark Moses, 95.9 The Rocket, and Shukri Wrights, 97.5 The Fanatic.
- News: Dustin Gervais, recently of CBS News Radio, Tom Tradup, Salem Media, Buck Burnett, KKOB, Sam Gagliardi, Townsquare Media, Michael Demarest, Salem Media, Al Gatullo, Salem Media, Marc Zallis, Beasley Media Group, Jack Pagano, Tampa Post, Sergio Sanchez, News Talk 710 KURV and Jen Austin, Riply.
- Music: David Moore, Hubbard Radio Phoenix, Jerry Lembo, Lembo Entertainment, Matt Ryan, 94.3 The Point, Codie Allen, Q104, Cat Thomas, SonicTrek.ai, Angel Jarquin, iHeartmedia, Morgan Prue, Manchester Media Group, Mike Danger, Audacy Rochester, Susan Browning, Audacy New York, Joe Nolan, WLNG, Grace Agostino, Nueva Network, Mark Elliott, Local Radio Networks, and Andrew Curran, DMR Interactive.
Events like this don’t work without partners and professionals buying tickets, but I want as many industry people in the room as possible. If you didn’t win, you can still join us. Purchase tickets here or through the Summit section up top. If budget is an issue, contact iMar Entertainment to explore barter options to reduce costs.
I will be running a contest this week for artist managers, label leaders, and music industry pros to attend our music conference. If any labels have interest in supplying an artist for entertainment at the after party on Thursday, July 2nd, I’m open to suggestions. We’ll have a lot of programmers, talent and decision makers in attendance. Reach out by email at Jason@BarrettMedia.com.
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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.
