Jim Ryan

88 POSTS
Jim Ryan is a Music Radio columnist for Barrett Media. In addition, he runs Jim Ryan Media LLC, a consulting company which assists major market radio brands and top talent including national radio personality Delilah. Prior to relaunching his consultancy in 2025, Jim spent 15 years with Audacy/CBS Radio, serving as SVP of Programming. Among his responsibilities included programming WNEW-FM and WCBS-FM.  His career includes additional programming stops in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Houston. Jim was voted the #2 PD of 2024 in Barrett Media's Top 20 series in the AC category. He can be reached by email at Jim@JimRyanMedia.com.

If Music Radio Wants Listener Loyalty, Give Them a Story to Follow

If you’re on the air and have built a relationship with your audience, are you telling your story? The more listeners know about you and the cast of your show, the more points of relatability they will have with you.

Music Radio Doesn’t Need Better Research — It Needs More Courage

Visionaries took chances on Howard Stern, Rush Limbaugh, WFAN, and Charlamagne tha God. If those leaders had played it safe, radio’s AQH would be significantly lower today.

From Casey Kasem to PPM: Why Teasing Still Works and Matters for Music Radio

This is most critical during morning shows, when listeners are distracted by their routines.

Music Radio Needs More QBs Like Josh Allen Who Credit the Team

Traditional media needs to excel now more than ever, and we need great leaders to take us into the future. We need to encourage and inspire those on the way up.

Revisiting the Z100 Formula That Changed Radio

Scott Shannon always said, “The greatest radio stations are created on a typewriter.” Sadly, that’s an area where many stations miss the mark these days.

Breaking

iHeart Media Reshuffles Hot 99.5 and Z104.3 Lineups After Fred Show Launch

"iHeart is clearly investing in Gomez, moving him into a higher-profile slot — a vote of confidence in his growing company role."

Provident Entertainment Promotes Josie Hardin and Reagan Hughes to Director Roles

"A unique combination of strategic thinking, marketing expertise, and genuine passion for both our artists and industry."

‘Move the Sticks’ Podcast Officially Comes to an End

"It's been a fantastic run for the MTS podcast. Partnering with a respected colleague and friend on 1K+ episodes has been a career milestone."

Five ESPN Studio Programs Earn Best May Viewership Ever

"PTI led all studio shows with 703K viewers, its best May since 2019."