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.
Hank Fuerst recently succeeded Blake Thompson as the leader of the Ramsey Network at Ramsey Solutions. The network encompasses shows like The Ramsey Show, The Dr. John Delony Show, Smart Money Happy Hour, and Entreleadership, among others. Thompson served as the Executive Vice President of the Ramsey Network. Hank Fuerst is now the Vice President of the Ramsey Network.
Garrett Searight: How important is it for those in the radio industry — especially the news/talk genre — to gather to discuss ideas and issues?
Hank Fuerst: At Ramsey, we have always felt that business moves at the speed of relationships. There’s not a better way to develop and maintain lasting relationships than to gather together and talk about our industry and craft.
GS: What are the most important things you hope to learn and hear about at the Summit?
HF: I want to hear about how we as an industry are planning to reach people under 30 years old. I don’t think Gen Z is going to follow the same technological trends that millennials did. And some are even rejecting technology. Can we find a way to get more Gen Z listeners to radio?
GS: What are the things you hope to share during your panel and while speaking with other attendees?
HF: I want to represent Ramsey’s strategy well. Our media strategy began in 1992 on SuperTalk 99.7 in Nashville. And we have not stopped asking this question since: “How can we evolve to reach more people?” We’re still asking that question today. I look forward to asking others the same question and learning from their responses.
GS: When you look at the radio industry as a whole, where do you see the biggest opportunities going forward?
HF: Technology has positively impacted our lives in many ways. But we’re all old enough now to realize it has some negative consequences as well. How can a legacy medium like radio capitalize on that opportunity?
GS: Anything else you’d like to share?
HF: Thanks to the Barrett crew. Ramsey is honored to attend.
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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.
