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20 Brands in 20 Days: Patti Marshall, Q102 Cincinnati

David Hill
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20 Brands in 20 Days: Patti Marshall, Q102 Cincinnati

When Patti Marshall was 14 years old, she followed a DJ around like a puppy during an Easter Seals danceathon. He was playing all her favorite songs, and something clicked. “I thought, oh I could get a job doing this maybe,” she recalls. The DJ issued her a challenge: record some commercials on a cassette player, bring them back, and they’d see what she had. “And the rest is history. I got the bug, and it never left me, and I still have it.”

That was over three decades ago. Today, Marshall oversees programming and branding for Hubbard Radio’s Cincinnati cluster — Q102, B105, Mix 94.9, and The Wolf — as Managing Director of Branding and Content. Yet the spark that ignited in that moment at 14 remains central to everything she does. Fundamentally, it’s all about the music. Always has been.

The Path to Radio

Marshall grew up in Albany, Georgia. College is where everything changed. “I ended up getting a job at a radio station doing nights while I was going to school, and I hated school. Like I literally felt like it was just in the way of me having a radio career.” School became the obstacle; radio was the reason. She moved to Atlanta in her early 20s, initially intimidated by the market and doubting she was good enough to apply. But those college radio nights had already lit the spark.

Before radio, though, music was her first language. She was in marching band — a drum major, no less — played jazz band and concert band, and picked up clarinet and tenor saxophone. Essentially, the connection between her band days and her role at Q102 isn’t metaphorical. It’s literal. “I guess band taught me a massive appreciation for all sorts of music. You know, I was in jazz band, I appreciated jazz. I was in marching band, I appreciated taking hit songs and turning them into marching band songs. I appreciated the pomp and circumstance of, you know, the the uniforms and the. I mean, we were all passionate about music, or we wouldn’t have been playing an instrument. You know.”

A Philosophy Built on Understanding

Marshall has been in the chair at Q102 for 22 years. The station itself has a longer lineage — top 40 since 1972, transitioning to Hot AC in the late 90s. When Marshall arrived, she brought a specific philosophy. “I felt like we treated the station as if women didn’t want to hear top 40 music. Does that make sense?” She wanted to reject that assumption entirely. “We felt like adult women wanted to hear all sorts of music, and that doesn’t stop them from wanting to hear Black Eyed Peas or… like a top 40 song.

So we’re a hybrid. I would call us an adult top 40.” Notably, that philosophy hasn’t shifted in 22 years. What has changed is everything around it — rotations, the broader music landscape, and the meaning of streaming. “Are we all still trying to figure out what streaming actually means to music? I really think we haven’t figured that out yet,” Marshall says. But the core mission remains intact: music for adult women who refuse to be boxed in.

Why Radio Still Matters

There’s a phrase Marshall uses that cuts through industry hand-wringing about radio’s future. “I love radio for more reasons than it’s my paycheck.” She’s seen what radio can do. Indeed, she’s seen its power then and its power now. When listeners line up at concerts to meet their favorite on-air personalities — Jeff and Jenn, or big Dave from B105 one of the the sister stations, or Jesse and Anna from B105 — there’s something happening. Certainly, it transcends the airwaves. “There is still a strong connection between humans that listen to the radio and humans that work on the radio. You know, there there that we provide a human connection that I just don’t think streaming does. I’ll just say it.” It’s not a criticism of streaming so much as an articulation of what radio uniquely provides. “It’s all about the music, but it’s not about streaming. It’s about the community,” Marshall reflects.

The People Behind the Music

Here’s where Patti’s philosophy takes an interesting turn. Ask her what makes Q102 — or any of her stations — work, and she pivots from music to people. Clearly, her team is extraordinary, and she means it. Grover Collins runs B105’s programming. Julie Evans splits time as promotion director for B105 and program director at Mix. Freddie Mac does afternoons on Q with Roy for The Hang. Additionally, he tracks middays at Mix with a completely different show. “That’s the world we live in,” Marshall says, but she says it with gratitude. She doesn’t express exasperation.

The ownership structure at Hubbard matters to her too. “Our ownership and Ginny,” she says, speaking of the owner. “I don’t know if you’ve ever interviewed Ginny, but she is incredibly supportive, loves the business, cares about her people.” Dave Bestler, the CFO, is taking on more responsibilities. Greg Strassel, VP of Programming, is great at handing out advice and support. “We are blessed here to work for a company like Hubbard,” Marshall says simply.

The Drum Major of the Building

That metaphor of a drum major — someone who doesn’t play an instrument but keeps everyone together — fits perfectly here. Such leaders set the tempo and ensure the whole ensemble sounds like one unit. That’s exactly what Marshall does across her cluster. Her radio stations succeed because everyone’s on the same page. They’re in the same time signature. “It is all about the music,” Marshall concludes, “but for me, it’s about the people I work with every day, and my team is extraordinary. Yes, I would take this team to a band competition in a minute, and we would play.”

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.

What WFAN’s Al Dukes Hopes To Share at Boomer Esiason’s Radio Hall of Fame Induction

John Mamola
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What WFAN’s Al Dukes Hopes To Share at Boomer Esiason’s Radio Hall of Fame Induction

This October, the Radio Hall of Fame will induct WFAN morning host Boomer Esiason as one of eight members of its 2026 class. It’s the single highest honor one can receive in broadcast radio. As part of the ceremony, it’s customary to have someone help induct an honoree into the hall. That honor came unexpectedly in a live request made on the WFAN airwaves to Boomer & Gio executive producer Al Dukes.

During a top-of-the-hour segment on Aug. 11, show co-host Gregg Giannotti asked Esiason if he had chosen someone to induct him. The moment left Dukes speechless.

“It was planned [to come up on the show] without involving me. Many times we’ll plan something without involving the person that’s part of the topic,” said Dukes about the surprise of being asked by Esiason live on air. “We had previously talked about it either on or off the air. But I had no idea I would be considered.”

Before Esiason asked Dukes if he would take on the privilege of inducting the WFAN host, the program bantered about who they thought would be fitting for the honor. Legendary names surrounding Esiason’s career included former WFAN programmer Mark Chernoff and current Audacy Chief Business Officer Chris Oliviero. Dukes thought former Westwood One and CBS Radio CEO Joel Hollander would be the selection.

A Story To Tell

Instead, it was Dukes, who has served as Esiason’s producer since he began hosting morning drive on WFAN. Now, nearly two decades later, amid all the changes to WFAN’s morning show, Dukes owns the role of encapsulating Esiason’s career as he enters the hall.

“It still feels like it’s a little way away, so it’s not time to panic yet,” said Dukes, admitting he hasn’t started to produce his induction speech. “I get two minutes, but I haven’t written anything yet.”

While he hasn’t begun to write down the words that will accompany Esiason into the hall, Dukes did identify a trait of his that he hopes to showcase in Chicago. Before Dukes joined WFAN and teamed with Esiason in mornings, his prior experience was in talk radio. Dukes worked with David Lee Roth, who replaced Howard Stern on terrestrial radio in 2006. The show lasted just over four months.

“It didn’t go well. That was an alpha male, non-radio person doing radio,” explained Dukes. “David did not want a radio person with him. He wanted to do something other than radio and attack it from a different angle. We knew certain things work in radio, especially talk radio. He didn’t want to do those things, and it didn’t go well.”

Following that experience, Dukes returned to working with Opie & Anthony for a time. Then, an opportunity arrived to work with WFAN and its new morning duo of Esiason and Craig Carton. With his prior experience working with both Chernoff and Oliviero during the David Lee Roth program, Dukes decided to discuss the opportunity further.

“At first when I met Boomer and Craig, afterwards I questioned if I want to work with another alpha male non-radio guy coming in to do radio. I didn’t know what to expect,” says Dukes. “I talked with Craig separately afterwards, and he told him to trust him. That Boomer would be great. To Boomer’s credit, he trusted everyone to do their job.”

Always The Quarterback

The experience with Esiason was the complete opposite of his prior one with David Lee Roth. Dukes explained that Esiason played the quarterback, letting the radio people attend to the radio things, leaning on their expertise instead of overtaking the entire operation.

“Very early on, I was screening calls of people that wanted to bust Boomer’s balls. So, I put them up to see how Boomer would react,” said Dukes. “The fact that he laughed in the moment provided us a window that we could bust on him a little. He did his job, and allowed the rest of us to do ours. That’s why the show became so successful.”

For 10 years, Boomer & Carton became a dominant force in New York City radio. A top-billing program that garnered attention locally and nationally. That run lasted a decade but came to a halt in 2017 following Carton’s arrest on federal securities fraud, wire fraud and conspiracy charges.

The show went solo. Esiason was without a co-host for months during the peak of the sports radio calendar in the fall. Dukes says during this time, Esiason was the one taking charge and led like the quarterback he is.

“When Carton was gone and we didn’t have Gio [Gregg Giannotti] yet, Boomer did change where he made it clear he was the leader. He took over more than he had with Craig [Carton]. There was a big injury on the team, and Boomer stepped in to handle more of the load,” explained Dukes. “Boomer did a really great job during that time. It was nerve racking, but cool to see Boomer step up more when we needed him to.”

A Changing Content Model

Dukes grew up listening to Howard Stern but never desired to be the Stern role on a program. His entire career has been built behind the scenes and around attempting to elevate the star of the show. His experience is rooted in the philosophy of being involved but not being the headline. Dukes enjoys the focus of working on a singular program instead of multiple ones. Perhaps that’s why he’s never envisioned a brand manager or program director role.

Instead, he enjoys the preparation, meetings and plotting of the daily program. Producing sports talk today is far different from when Dukes first began with WFAN. Highlights are available instantly. Game recaps are more readily available. Information lives everywhere, with fans able to access just as much of it as the talent themselves.

Today, he finds more value in stories that are sports-adjacent instead of the box score that drove conversations in the past.

“I can always go on social media to see what things are universally being talked about. We look at so many things now that are sports adjacent instead of the actual games,” said Dukes. “There’s so many things off the field that are just as interesting. Where the audience didn’t have to see the game to have an opinion about something surrounding the game.”

That’s why Dukes doesn’t take to heart the criticisms of WFAN regarding its impact today versus the past. He openly considers the Mike & The Mad Dog era differently from what works for listeners today.

“It’s so much more today about entertainment and personalities versus a four-hour show with information that you couldn’t get elsewhere,” says Dukes. “In that same time, talk radio programs that wasn’t sports or politics have disappeared. There’s still a hunger for that. That’s why sports shows have become a hybrid of sports, entertainment, and guy talk. Especially in the morning.”

Another element Dukes enjoys is diving into different perspectives involving the program he produces. Earlier this year, Boomer & Gio saw longtime producer Eddie Scozzare retire from his post with WFAN.

In his place came 27-year-old Rami Lavi, who grew up listening to Boomer Esiason and WFAN.

“It’s interesting to see a different perspective on what he is seeing on his social media in regard to sports that I’m not seeing on mine,” explained Dukes. “It’s been somewhat refreshing. He was an aggressive guy, wanted the job and studied the show. If I was a younger man, it’s probably something I’d be more threatened by. But having been here for 19 years, I’m enjoying it more than worried he’s coming for our jobs.”

Dukes admitted his concern for the future of the industry lies in the fortune he’s been granted with Lavi’s presence on Boomer & Gio.

“We need more guys like Rami to come to the industry,” said Dukes. “There’s so many options now in how to get started. I always like to see guys that are into doing radio. That’s a concern, because it’s growing harder to find that.”

Embracing The Moment

For nearly two decades, Al Dukes has made a career out of staying just outside the spotlight. His job has been to prepare, challenge, react, adjust and, ultimately, make the people in front of the microphone better. He has never needed his name on the marquee to understand his value to the show.

That makes his role in Chicago fitting.

When Boomer Esiason walks into the Radio Hall of Fame this October, Dukes will have a rare opportunity to step out from behind the scenes and tell the story of the man he has worked alongside for nearly 20 years. It will be his two minutes to explain what made Esiason different, why their partnership worked and what happened when a former NFL quarterback trusted the radio people around him enough to let them do their jobs.

“WFAN is still a huge platform in New York City. Everywhere Boomer goes, people know him from the radio show now,” noted Dukes. “Boomer has been doing this longer than he was a football player. So, there’s a great story to tell in Chicago.”

Dukes may not have written the speech yet. But after nearly two decades of producing Boomer Esiason, he probably knows exactly what he wants to say. The quarterback trusted his teammates.

And when the biggest moment of Esiason’s radio career arrives, he trusts Dukes to be the one standing beside him.

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.

Bobby Bones is Opening His Playbook to the Radio Industry

Kevin Callahan
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Bobby Bones is Opening His Playbook to the Radio Industry

Love him or hate him, you cannot deny Bobby Bones’ impact on country radio. What makes his recent Instagram content so refreshing is that he is no longer just creating content for his audience. Instead, he is actively opening up his playbook and sharing practical blueprints with air talent across the entire industry.

When one of the most visible personalities in our format takes time to break down performance mechanics, it gives all of us a great opportunity. We can pull back the curtain, refine our approach, and add fresh tools to our bag.

The Three Second Hook and Ditching Verbal Clutter

In his recent videos, Bobby breaks down tactical habits that sharpen on — air mechanics. The beauty of these tips is how immediately actionable they are for any show.

Hook Them in Three Seconds: We live in an immediate attention economy. Viewers and listeners give you roughly three to five seconds before scrolling, punching out, or clicking away. Ditch the long — winded intro. Skip going around the room with formal introductions. Launch directly into the most compelling hook possible.

Kill the Verbal Nods: During interviews, hosts often fall into the trap of saying “yeah” and “uh-huh” while a guest speaks. Bobby candidly admits he catches himself doing it and hates it (“I judge me for doing it, too”). It feels natural at lunch, but on the air, it creates distracting background noise. Replacing those nods with genuine emotional reactions like “Wow!” or “Oh!” elevates the moment.

The Double Name Drop: For remote broadcasts, station events, and off — air networking, Bobby shares a simple habit. Repeat a new person’s name back twice during early conversation. This anchors the name in your memory and makes the other person feel instantly recognized and valued.

Conquering Creative Fear with Jefferson Fisher

Beyond basic broadcast mechanics, Bobby recently sat down with trial attorney and communication speaker Jefferson Fisher. Together, they dove into the mental side of performing.

If you are not familiar with Jefferson Fisher, his content is well worth exploring. As a trial lawyer, Jefferson has built a massive following by teaching people to navigate high — stakes conversations, command a room, handle conflict, and stay grounded under pressure.

During their chat, Bobby and Jefferson hit on an encouraging truth that every creator needs to hear. Every single person in the creative space is wildly insecure and completely scared at times.

Bobby did not hold back, admitting that he is deathly afraid at first when stepping into new creative challenges. But as Jefferson highlighted, surviving those awkward moments is the exact mechanism that builds genuine confidence. “Crap happens on the air, but you survive it.” That survival creates the emotional muscle memory that carries you through the next challenge.

The Unbeatable Combo: Curiosity and Vulnerability

This conversation highlights what truly separates good content creators from unforgettable talent. Great talent is deeply curious. Moreover, great talent is authentically vulnerable.

Look at how Bobby operates in these clips. He is not standing on a mountain handing down directives as an unblemished expert. Instead, he openly shares what he hates about his own performance. He admits his insecurities and talks candidly about being afraid.

That level of transparency is what builds an unbreakable connection with an audience.

Vulnerability Invites the Audience In: When you drop the radio persona and admit when a bit bombed, you share a real insecurity. Also, talk candidly about a messy day. Listeners see themselves in you. Perfection is boring. Humanity is magnetic.

Authenticity Eliminates Armor: Hiding behind polished announcer voices or rigid scripts is just a defense mechanism against fear. When you have the courage to be your true, unfiltered self on the mic, the fear loses its power.

Empowering Your Voice Behind the Mic

The best part about watching top communicators like Bobby Bones or Jefferson Fisher break down their process is realizing that growth is a lifelong habit. You do not have to copy Bobby’s style or act like a trial lawyer to win. The goal is simply to take these insights, adapt them to your unique voice, and make your show feel even more alive.

When high — profile talent and expert communicators share their toolkits, it benefits all of us. Trust your instincts, embrace the occasional messy break, lean into your authentic self, and never stop making bold moves.

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.

Why Kaitlan Collins’ CNN Tribute to Dolly Parton Stood Out as Path Toward Her Future

Garrett Searight
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Why Kaitlan Collins’ CNN Tribute to Dolly Parton Stood Out as Path Toward Her Future

CNN dedicated a significant chunk of Tuesday’s primetime lineup to remembering Dolly Parton, and Kaitlan Collins was the one steering the ship. The anchor spent much of The Source bringing in musical heavyweights to discuss Parton’s fingerprints on the industry, and the conversations landed exactly where you’d expect. Guests spoke about her songwriting genius, her business instincts, and the rare trick she pulled off of being universally beloved in an industry that rarely allows for that.

Still, the segments with outside voices weren’t the moment that stuck with me. That came when Collins set the guest chair aside and talked about what Parton meant to her personally.

She told viewers about a trip to the Great Smoky Mountains, with Parton’s music providing the soundtrack for the drive. It’s the kind of detail that sounds small on paper but hits differently when you hear an anchor say it live, on air, in the middle of a broadcast built around detachment. Collins explained that when the news of Parton’s death broke, her first instinct wasn’t to reach for a script. It was to call her sister. That’s the moment. Not the industry retrospective, not the guest bookings — the phone call.

The Tightrope Collins Walks

Kaitlan Collins lives in a strange professional space. She’s expected to hold the line as an objective journalist for most of her day as a White House correspondent, then somehow flip a switch and offer commentary when the format calls for it.

It’s a tightrope, and it’s not one that forgives many missteps. Lean too far into opinion and you risk your credibility. Stay too buttoned-up and you risk coming across as robotic, disconnected from the very human moments you’re supposed to be covering.

Tuesday’s Parton segment showed Collins finding her footing on that line better than she often does. Because she wasn’t performing grief or manufacturing a moment for effect. She was simply telling the truth about a drive, a favorite artist, and a sister she needed to call. It read as unscripted, even though it obviously wasn’t unplanned. That’s a hard needle to thread, and Collins threaded it.

Why She Should Do It More Often

My take, after watching that monologue, is that Collins ought to lean into this side of herself more regularly. I understand the hesitation. Journalists spend entire careers training themselves not to become the story, and opening that door even a crack can feel like a violation of the job description. But CNN has already put her in a hosting seat that requires some degree of personality and perspective. The network isn’t asking her to be a wire service. It’s asking her to be Kaitlan Collins, and viewers respond to that name because of the person behind it, not just the title.

Audiences gravitate toward personalities they feel like they know. That’s true in radio, it’s true in podcasting, and it’s just as true in cable news. Viewers don’t build loyalty to a rundown of talking points. They build it to the person delivering those points, especially when that person occasionally lets them see something real. Collins doesn’t need to turn every broadcast into a personal essay. She just needs to keep that door cracked open a little more often than she has been.

Tuesday’s tribute worked because it felt honest, not staged. Consequently, it’s the kind of moment that reminds viewers why they tuned in beyond the headlines. If Collins can find more chances to let that side through — without abandoning the objectivity that got her the chair in the first place — she’ll only strengthen the connection she’s already building with her audience. That’s not a small thing in an industry where attention is the whole game.

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.

Why Jeff Angelo Believes 1040 WHO Broadcasting From the Iowa State Fair Matters

Krystina Alarcon Carroll
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Why Jeff Angelo Believes 1040 WHO Broadcasting From the Iowa State Fair Matters

Live from the Crystal Studio, Jeff Angelo and the team at 1040 WHO gave their listeners a front-row seat to not only hear but also watch their favorite iHeart anchors live on-air. “[The Iowa State Fair is] the biggest cultural event in the state every single year, and you’re right in the middle of it,” Angelo excitedly said.

“[Our Crystal Studio is] literally in the busiest location on the fairgrounds. So it’s an amazing experience,” the morning host excitedly noted of the 11-day event.

Folks from all over the Hawkeye State come to the fairgrounds in Des Moines to celebrate all that they love about being an Iowan. “Being in radio, most of the time, you’re sitting in a room with a microphone. That’s it. I don’t know of any other event I’ve ever been a part of where you have such exposure to the actual people who are listening to you,” Angelo said of the 1.2 million people who walked by and snuck a peek inside the studio.

Meeting the Man Behind the Microphone

It’s an interaction Angelo — a former Iowa state senator — believes is better than social media because “this is actually one-on-one, face-to-face, and so a lot of them do connect with you through social media, but they want to meet the person who’s behind all of that.”

And meet Jeff Angelo, they did. He participated in all the events the state fair had to offer, including an eating contest, where he placed fourth, and steer showing, where Angelo won a blue ribbon (first place) for the third year in a row.

To participate in steer showing, Angelo was connected with a farm family whose child has been showing the steer at county fairs and other competitions. Then, according to Angelo, “They come out in the ring with you, and you walk that steer around, and they’re coaching you on how to show a steer.”

He noted, “The biggest challenge is showing the steer properly to the judge. You have to hold the steer’s head up, but the steer does not want his head lifted up — the steer wants to duck his head. So your arm is killing you when the show is over, because you’re literally lifting that steer’s head, and it’s pulling against you.”

A Personal Interaction With the Host

No matter where listeners found Angelo, he was ready, willing, and able to interact with them; his joyful and humble demeanor made him extremely approachable. “They come away from meeting myself and the entire WHO team, and they’re going to be faithful listeners far into the future.”

He added, “What you’re doing is having in-depth conversations with listeners, and they tell you why they listen to you and what they’re listening for.”

The feedback and human interaction are a good reminder for Angelo about the role he plays in people’s lives every day. “You become part of their daily routine, and you get to interact with them. They want to meet you. They want to know you. And they know you through the radio. But now they really know you.”

He was also able to receive direct feedback about why Iowans choose Jeff Angelo in the morning: “There is a lot of personality involved, but also they want someone who is talking about the news of the day, and talking about it from the perspective of an Iowan.”

It’s more than just a great personality — which Angelo already has. The host noted his listeners want “someone who has an opinion on the stories of the day, somebody they can nod along with, or they can shake their head and say, no, that’s completely wrong. It’s engagement. It’s not passive radio.”

And lastly, his listeners are “looking to be emotionally moved in some way by what they hear. So, if I was to put it simply, you just can’t be boring. You have to be somebody they’re really interested in spending time with every day.”

The Biggest Issue on Iowans’ Minds

Every morning, Angelo gets to talk about the biggest issues affecting Iowans. More recently, it’s been the price of cattle.

“President Trump just announced that we’re going to import more beef to lower beef prices, which actually affects the profitability of cattle producers,” Angelo admitted.

It’s a story he has to cover from two different angles. “When you’ve got a story like that, you not only look at it from the consumer perspective — cheaper beef — but cattle producers are a very important part of our economy — lower profit.”

He has two questions he asks his listeners: “Do I want my ground beef cheaper at the counter? Yes. But do I want my cattle producers to thrive so my small towns can thrive? The answer to that, too, is yes. So it’s this balance. It’s really interesting to talk it over with listeners each day.”

A Responsibility Better Than Imagined

When we last spoke with Angelo in 2024, he had just started his “dream job.” Today, life is better than he could have ever imagined. Angelo is now dubbed “The Voice of Iowa,” and his morning show can be heard on three different stations across the Hawkeye State: WHO, WOC, and WMT.

“It’s been just an honor and a thrill that iHeart has had this vote of confidence, saying, look, you’re the voice of Iowa.” He added, “Listeners are going to come to you, and they’re going to trust you to be informed, to be entertained, to be talking about what you’re talking about later in the day. So, I’m exceeding my wildest dreams, and I just have the best job in the world.”

With all this trust comes a major responsibility. “I think that you have to be very thoughtful about what you’re saying every single day,” Angelo affirmed. “I think the responsibility is that you have to be sensitive and empathetic to everybody’s viewpoint — express your viewpoint in a responsible way, a thoughtful way that inspires thoughtful dialogue.”

“And I think people want somebody who, even if they disagree with them, is open to hearing and airing all the opinions. So I think there’s a great responsibility when you have the reach that I now have.”

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.

How Joel Klatt, Robert Griffin III, Brady Quinn Offered a Masterclass in Analysis Missing From Television

John Molori
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How Joel Klatt, Robert Griffin III, Brady Quinn Offered a Masterclass in Analysis Missing From Television

In football, sometimes you get lucky. The same can be said for surfing, or in this case, channel surfing. This past Monday, I caught The Joel Klatt Show: Big Noon Conversations – RG III & Brady Quinn on FS1. The discussion centered on the many aspects and variables of the quarterback position.

In short, it was one of the best football shows I have seen in quite a while. While different in format, the program reminded me of the old Jon Gruden’s Quarterback Camp on ESPN. It was in-depth, all-encompassing and quite entertaining.

Klatt continues to prove that he is in the upper echelon of college football broadcasters. I put him right up there with Rece Davis, Chris Fowler, Todd Blackledge, Noah Eagle and Brad Nessler. To take it even further, I think you can compare him favorably at this point in his career to legends like Verne Lundquist and Keith Jackson.

And that’s no smoke.

A Stacked Resume

I always like seeing TV personalities in different roles. Klatt, a former outstanding quarterback at the University of Colorado, is terrific in the FOX broadcast booth as a top-flight analyst. However, this was a different setup for him. The Joel Klatt Show podcast offers a subdued, deep and enlightening version of Klatt’s talent.

Certainly, he was helped by having two top-notch college quarterbacks along for the ride. Robert Griffin III and Brady Quinn have developed into terrific TV personalities as well. Many observers have been critical of ESPN for the recent layoffs of some popular personalities. The 2024 layoff of Griffin III was an equally ill-advised move.

Griffin was a true quarterbacking phenom at Baylor University and in the NFL until injuries slowed his pro career. Moreover, he is an honest, thoughtful and original talent. Griffin has seen the ups and downs of football, and that experience gives him a well-rounded perspective.

The same you can say for Quinn. A quarterbacking icon at Notre Dame and a first-round pick of the Cleveland Browns in 2007. He never panned out in the NFL. But his pro experience and starry stint in South Bend have given him a true gift for assessing and evaluating players and games.

Early in the show, Klatt made a key point about the evolution of the quarterback position. He noted that in the past, almost every quarterback in college played the game essentially in the same manner. Now, starting quarterbacks come in different sizes with different skill sets. All of which can be equally effective.

Griffin III had a solid spiel about the accountability and pressure inherent in the quarterback position. He used the phrase, “no pressure, no diamonds.”

Griffin III stated, “You’re having to make decisions. You’re having to operate and perform at the highest level in the biggest moments.”

He went on to say that getting 11 guys to all be on the same page was one of the greatest joys of his life. Even admitted that he misses it.

Klatt returned to the theme of today’s quarterbacks. He said that when speaking to many young QBs, he feels like he’s talking to a tennis player, someone who is in an individual sport. He added that the personal training modern quarterbacks receive has hindered the team concept.

Quinn retorted that all of the personal coaching has made today’s quarterbacks the most prepared in the history of the game. Armed with creativity and the ability to throw the ball at various arm angles. What I liked about this exchange is that Klatt, Quinn and Griffin III compared quarterback eras without sounding like bitter, crotchety old men.

It was a pretty darn profound debate. The kind that you do not get on a highlight show, preview broadcast or game telecast because the action is so fast-paced on all of those productions.

Comfort In Conversation

On this special edition of The Joel Klatt Show podcast, Klatt, Griffin III and Quinn were dressed casually and sitting on modest chairs. There was a circular coffee table in front of them with two books and three cups on it. Between them was a white football helmet and a football sitting on top of another book, with a gold curtain behind them.

This is minimalist TV in its highest form. Not relying on flashy graphics or rapid video. Just on three college football savants who have lived what they are talking about.

A lot of the chit-chat on the show was quite technical and even ethereal. Klatt did a good job of bringing it down to earth and explaining it to the uninitiated viewer. Griffin said that to run today’s complex offenses well, you have to be in a system for at least two years. This flies in the face of the current state of college football. Where it seems quarterbacks are jumping from school to school every offseason via the transfer portal.

As the show moved on, it became less about Klatt directing questions toward Griffin or Quinn. It was more about a conversation. Even when one participant was making a point, there was ample room for interjection and even argument from the other two. One of the hardest things to do in sports broadcasting is create a basic interview/discussion program that holds the interest of the fan.

Klatt and company did just that.

I also learned something from the show. While talking about his own college recruiting process, Griffin revealed that several large schools, including the University of Texas, recruited him not as a quarterback but as a safety. Quinn immediately jumped in and asked Griffin if he played safety in high school. Griffin replied no, leaving Klatt absolutely stunned.

The story got even better when Griffin recalled a hard-fought loss by Baylor to Texas. He said that after the game, then-Longhorns head coach Mack Brown ran over to Griffin III and told him that if he wanted to transfer right then, he would take him. Moreover, Brown admitted that he had made a big mistake recruiting Griffin III to play safety.

Keeping It Candid

While much of the show was quite pleasant in tone, Klatt did not hold back on delicate topics. He questioned Quinn about his brief and somewhat disappointing NFL career. Quinn’s response was candid. He said that one of the biggest mistakes he made was trying to impress everybody and prove his naysayers wrong. He also implied that the Browns’ offensive system really was not built around his strengths as a quarterback.

The Joel Klatt Show: Big Noon Conversations – RG III & Brady Quinn was speckled with video cutaways of the three former quarterbacks in action as players. This brought some visual garnish to the proceedings without overshadowing the main course of the conversation.

The triumvirate also mentioned some of the best offensive and defensive minds in today’s college game. Griffin III said that Ryan Day has done a great job with the offense at Ohio State. Even despite having several different offensive coordinators during his tenure as head coach. They all agreed that USC head coach Lincoln Riley continues to be one of the best quarterback developers in the country. On the defensive side, Griffin III cited Deion Sanders as a coach for whom players love to play.

As the show neared its close, Quinn brought the discussion back to young quarterback expectations, saying, “Everyone who’s got a quarterback in elementary school or junior high, they think their kid’s going to be the next Tom Brady. It doesn’t work out that way.” In a funny moment, Klatt looked right into the camera and sarcastically told viewers, “You don’t have Tom Brady in your household.”

Beginning this weekend, major college teams will vie for the golden prize that is the College Football National Championship Trophy. I will settle for catching The Joel Klatt Show, a gold nugget of a broadcast, quite lustrous in its commentary and conversation.

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.

Bad PPM Month? Don’t Panic—One Month Doesn’t Define

Jim Ryan
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Bad PPM Month? Don’t Panic—One Month Doesn’t Define

I recently got a call from a morning show I’ve worked with in a panic because they had a bad month in PPM. A poor monthly is NOT cause for panic as a shift in just a couple of high value meters can ruin anyone’s month. Your biggest user could be on vacation, or — God forbid — out of the panel altogether. Great shows have a bad month once in a while, and shows that suck can occasionally do well.

A poor month is not reason enough to think there is an issue on your show. Just like one great month is not a reason for you to think you’ve gotten everything right and you are now a market dominator. I watch weeklies and even unweighted quarter hours in several markets. I take them with a grain of salt. Now, trending down for 6 months in a row — that’s a little different. But a bad week or even bad month in PPM can happen to anyone. What’s more important is what’s coming out of the speakers.

Don’t Judge Success by Phone Lines

Some shows base their success on listener response. However, that could be misleading. The on-air feature with a psychic always lights up the phones for hours. But that doesn’t mean it is a success. In fact, it’s one of the biggest listener tune-outs. Your phones are ringing because everyone wants THEIR fortune told, but none of them care about anyone else’s. Features like this can often lead talent into a false sense of audience engagement.

The same applies to contests. If you gave the number and were giving away a bucket of dog poop, the phones would ring and you’d get a winner. They just wouldn’t pick up the prize.

I would always suggest listening to your work to decide if it’s entertaining, memorable, and touching an emotion. Are you making the listeners laugh, cry, or even angry in the course of your show? Are you giving the audience something to talk about with others? Would the average person want to come back tomorrow because they fear they are missing something?

Find an Honest Voice

If you feel you cannot judge your work, turn to an expert. If you’re at iHeartMedia, ask your manager if you can reach out to Dennis. At Audacy, send a note to Mike. Perhaps your company would consider hiring Steve, Angela, Randy, or even me — sorry, shameless plug. But if none of those are within the realm of possibility, look down the hall.

I’m sure there is someone in your sales department who doesn’t know what time you’re even on the air. They are that person who you always see listening to Spotify. Or at least you assume that by the ear buds and total lack of knowledge about the station. Ask that person for a few minutes and play some breaks. After all, if someone who wouldn’t listen likes your work, you could be awesome.

One of the keys to a successful show is making content for the least interested. There’s usually someone in the building who fits that bill. Never rely on your significant other or even a parent for honest feedback. They will just tell you what they think you want to hear in most cases.

Content Creates Ratings

Always remember, Nielsen is not the judge of your show. In diary markets, the overall image of the show is what gives you ratings. Longevity, consistency, and having a good reputation can help spell success. The number of diary panelists is far greater than the meter holders who judge in the PPM markets. There, it really can be just a couple of meters determining whether you’re doubting yourself or in line for a bonus. But making great content always tilts the odds in your favor.

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.

Jasmine Sadry Named President of Alliance for Women in Media in Dallas

Garrett Searight
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Jasmine Sadry Named President of Alliance for Women in Media in Dallas

The Alliance for Women in Media has named Jasmine Sadry president of its Dallas-Fort Worth affiliate. The longtime broadcaster brings more than two decades of media experience to the role.

What We Know: Sadry has built a career across sports broadcasting, content strategy, media sales, and executive leadership. Texas sports fans know her from FOX Sports Radio, 105.3 The Fan, and 1250 ESPN San Antonio. At those stops, she helped media companies, brands, and personalities grow audiences, develop content, and create sponsorship opportunities across platforms. As president, Sadry will focus on membership growth, partnerships across North Texas, professional education, and opportunities for women throughout the media industry.

What They Said: “The Alliance for Women in Media has spent decades investing in women who shape our industry every day. I’m honored to help lead the Dallas-Fort Worth affiliate into its next chapter by creating meaningful connections, elevating emerging leaders and ensuring our organization remains an essential resource for media professionals throughout North Texas.” -Jasmine Sadry

What Remains Unclear: The affiliate hasn’t announced specific initiatives or a timeline for Sadry’s first projects. However, her focus on education, partnerships, and membership growth points toward a broader effort to expand the organization’s reach.

What It Means: Sadry’s appointment gives the Dallas-Fort Worth affiliate an executive with experience across traditional and emerging media. Meanwhile, her background could help connect the organization with broadcasters, content creators, sales professionals, and media leaders throughout North Texas. The move also puts an experienced industry voice in position to advocate for women across an increasingly diverse media landscape.

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.

Jarrett Payton on Arriving to 104.3 The Score: “I Need a New Challenge”

John Mamola
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Jarrett Payton on Arriving to 104.3 The Score: “I Need a New Challenge”

Jarrett Payton says he wanted something different. Now he has it, starting Monday as he’ll be the new co-host in morning drive alongside David Haugh on 104.3 The Score.

What We Know: The Score fired longtime morning co-host Mike Mulligan and midday co-host Marshall Harris last Friday. Payton, who spent a decade at WGN before departing in July, steps in as Haugh’s new partner. Together, they’ll host Haugh & Payton weekdays from 5:30 to 10 a.m. starting August 31. Moreover, Payton is the son of Bears Hall of Famer Walter Payton. In his first comments since being named the new co-host, Payton told 104.3 The Score’s Rahimi & Grote that he needed a new challenge.

What They Said: (All quote via 104.3 The Score):

Jarrett Payton looking forward to a new challenge with 104.3 The Score: “It’s a new challenge. I was way too comfortable at doing what I was doing. When you do something for so long, you get comfortable. I need a new challenge.”

Jarrett Payton on his love for sports radio: “It’s something that I haven’t done in a while. It’s always been my passion to be on radio. That’s where getting into this business, where it all started for me. I was doing an hour show down at the Illinois Center for broadcasting back in the day, not knowing how many people were actually listening to me. But it was wasn’t about that. It was about figuring out how this process goes being on air and being an on air talent.”

Jarrett Payton on the shift in his professional life: “Ten years at WGN, most amazing time in my life. I had a chance to do one of my dream jobs. To give people in the evenings and late at night what the sports talk was at nighttime. Now, it’s just shifting to early in the morning. We’re setting the table now. I couldn’t be happier to working with David Haugh.”

Jarrett Payton is appreciative for everyone in media that congratulated him: “I do have to say thank you to all the OGs in the game. I literally have heard from all of them. All of them that have hit me up. I want to say thank you if they’re listening. Thank you. I appreciate you because it showed me that it’s the hard work that gets you here.”

Jarrett Payton appreciative for those who doubt him: “Thank you to the haters. That’s the motivation. Now I’m motivated. All my life, that’s what people have always said. You can’t do this. You’ll never play college football. You’ll never make it to the NFL. That’s always been the motivation for me. To prove people wrong, but also to prove it to yourself that you can actually do it.”

What Remains Unclear: The Score hasn’t named a replacement for Mulligan’s Sunday Bears gameday duties as of yet. Likewise, no additional staffing moves have been announced beyond Mulligan and Harris’s exits.

What It Means: Payton framed his decade at WGN as a dream job, yet he’s clearly ready to reset the table in mornings. Radio, he noted, is where his broadcasting career actually began, back at Illinois Center for Broadcasting. Therefore, this move reads less like reinvention and more like a return. Meanwhile, Payton credited both supporters and skeptics for pushing him here, suggesting the same drive that built his athletic career now fuels this next chapter.

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.

930 WBEN Moving Joe Beamer Up in Daily Lineup

Garrett Searight
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930 WBEN Moving Joe Beamer Up in Daily Lineup

Joe Beamer is moving back to mornings at 930 WBEN as the Buffalo station adjusts its weekday lineup. The change comes shortly after Tom Bauerle’s departure from afternoon drive.

What We Know: Joe Beamer will move from the 1-3 PM timeslot to mornings, where he’ll host from 9 AM to 1 PM. The change takes effect Monday on Audacy’s Buffalo news/talk station. Currently, David Bellavia hosts the 9 AM-1 PM timeslot. Beamer has spent the past year hosting afternoons, following his move into the 1-3 PM slot. Bellavia will move to the 1-5 PM timeslot, with Buffalo’s Evening News now airing one hour earlier at 6 PM. The move also comes as 930 WBEN continues making changes to its daily lineup. Earlier this month, Tom Bauerle departed afternoon drive after spending decades with the station. His exit marked a major change for one of Buffalo’s most established news/talk voices.

What They Said: “It’s official, my show is moving to 9am! Looking forward to being back in mornings, and continuing the show we’ve built in the 1-3 slot over the last year! I hope you’ll join me weekday mornings 9am-1pm starting Monday, on NewsRadio 930 WBEN!” -Joe Beamer

What Remains Unclear: It is unclear what led WBEN to flip-flop Bellavia and Beamer’s programs, outside of the departure of Tom Bauerle.

What It Means: Beamer’s return to mornings gives 930 WBEN a familiar voice in a key daypart while allowing the station to build on his work from the past year. Meanwhile, the changes signal a new era for the Buffalo news/talk station after Bauerle’s lengthy run. For Beamer, the move also represents a return to a daypart he’s familiar with. Now, he’ll have four hours each weekday to continue developing his show for 930 WBEN’s audience.

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.

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