Approaching The Summit is a series of special interviews created in partnership with Point to Point Marketing featuring speakers at the upcoming 2026 Barrett Media Audio Summit in New York City. Follow along with this series as prominent names surrounding the event June 30-July 2 share their insights and expectations for what’s to come in the Big Apple. The Summit takes place at the SVA Theatre on West 23rd Street. For tickets and hotel room reservations, click here or visit the Summit section at the top of the website.
Garrett Searight: How important is it for those in the radio industry — especially the news/talk genre — to gather to discuss ideas and issues?
Mary Sandberg Boyle: News/talk radio is still one of the most trusted and immediate forms of media. But audience habits, technology, and advertiser expectations are changing rapidly. Bringing leaders together gives us the opportunity to share what’s working, learn from each other’s challenges, and have honest conversations about where the business is headed. No single market has all the answers. Collaboration is critical if we want the industry to continue growing and innovating.
GS: What are the most important things you hope to learn and hear about at the Summit?
MSB: I’m always interested in hearing how companies are successfully balancing strong local content with evolving digital consumption habits. I want to learn more about audience engagement strategies, monetization opportunities beyond traditional spot revenue, and how organizations are using digital platforms to strengthen their brands rather than compete against them.
GS: What are the things you hope to share during your panel and speaking with other attendees?
MSB: I hope to share perspectives on leading legacy brands through industry transformation while still staying focused on what makes radio unique, which is local connection, trust, personality, and community impact. At WGN Radio, we’ve worked hard to balance tradition with innovation by building revenue-generating content franchises and expanding digital opportunities.
I’d also like to share lessons around leadership, team culture, and empowering people to make decisions and grow. The strongest organizations are the ones that create environments where people feel trusted, challenged, and connected to a larger mission.
GS: When you look at the radio industry as a whole, where do you see the biggest opportunities going forward?
MSB: The biggest opportunity is for radio companies to fully embrace being multi-platform media brands rather than viewing themselves solely as radio stations. Radio already has many of the assets that digital companies are trying to build. We have trusted personalities, loyal audiences, daily engagement, local influence, and strong storytelling capabilities. There’s a major opportunity in news/talk specifically because audiences continue to seek trusted voices and credible information in an increasingly fragmented media environment.
GS: Where are you most optimstic about the future of the medium?
MSB: I’m optimistic about radio’s ability to evolve while still maintaining its core strengths. Despite all the changes in media, radio remains incredibly resilient because it’s personal, immediate, and deeply connected to local communities.
I also think the industry has an opportunity to continue developing diverse leadership, mentoring emerging talent, and creating pathways for the next generation to help shape what the future of audio and media looks like.
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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.
