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Zampillo Named Operations Manager of ESPNLA 710

BSM Staff
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ESPNLA 710 spent the past few months talking to a number of qualified candidates about their Operations Manager vacancy and that process has finally come to an end. The radio station has confirmed the addition of Dan Zampillo. His first day on the job is Wednesday July 6th.

The OM position at ESPNLA 710 has been vacant since Dave Shore departed to program Detroit Sports 105.1 in February 2015. Program Director Mike Thompson was also let go in October 2015 as part of ESPN’s budget cuts. That left General Manager Scott McCarthy and Assistant Program Director Amanda Brown to shoulder a heavier load. With Zampillo joining the staff, it should not only ease the burden on Brown and McCarthy, but it should help make day to day operations at the radio station run smoother.

Zampillo is no stranger to working with major market radio stations. He recently programmed ESPN 980 in Washington D.C before Redskins ownership elected to overhaul the radio station’s management team. He’s also programmed for SiriusXM in New York and 97.1 The Ticket in Detroit, and served as Assistant Program Director for WGN and as Sports Director for 670 The Score in Chicago.

His arrival comes at an important time for ESPNLA 710. The radio station recently partnered with 100.3 The Sound to land the radio rights to the Los Angeles Rams. With NFL pre-season action starting in August and additions still needed on the Rams broadcast team, Zampillo, Brown, and McCarthy have a lot to sort out. Adding to their plate is the likely departure of afternoon host Max Kellerman who is expected to move to New York to host ‘First Take’ on ESPN with Stephen A. Smith.

The good news for the radio station is that they have been performing well in the Los Angeles market despite the additional challenges behind the scenes. With Zampillo now on board, a few of those pending issues can be resolved and the brand should benefit from his experience and leadership. Most importantly, McCarthy and Brown can now breathe a little.

How a Brand With Promise Missed The Mark In Detroit

Jason Barrett
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How a Brand With Promise Missed The Mark In Detroit

The competitor in all of us wants to believe that by working harder and smarter than our competition we’ll gain an edge and ultimately succeed. We tell ourselves that with time, creativity and perseverance, we can gain the audience’s respect, outperform expectations, and give our employers the evidence they need to invest further in the development of our brand and people.

While those beliefs may be pure and the intentions of many may be noble, there are times in the radio business where brands are defeated before they hit the airwaves. Without full support, trust, vision, and patience from your company, you can’t win. The radio station can have talent, desire, a bright programmer, and people with a strong community connection, but none of that matters if your corporate bosses aren’t in it for the long haul.

For the staff of Detroit Sports 105.1 they learned that lesson last week. Greater Media Detroit may have been optimistic when they chose to explore the sports format in August 2013, but their strategy and commitment to unseat market leader 97.1 The Ticket was fractured. As a result, they’ve dropped the format in a great sports city in less than three years.

What makes this particular decision sting even more is that it should never have happened. Greater Media went through these exact same challenges and struggles in Philadelphia and should have learned from those experiences. Unfortunately they didn’t.

I have a personal connection to this story because I was hired to program what is now known as ‘97.5 The Fanatic’ in Philadelphia. Originally the brand was positioned as ‘SportsTalk 950’ and it launched in October 2005 without a Programmer. I was added four and a half months later and when I arrived, it was clear that the brand lacked an identity, talent, and vision.

I remember driving on Broad Street during my first Friday night in town, listening as one of our hosts opened his show with the line “Hey There, Hi There, Ho There”. That seemed so out of sync with the way I heard local people talking. That was followed up by the host announcing a ticket giveaway to see ‘Tickle Me Elmo’ at the Wells Fargo Center. This wasn’t his fault at all. He was just reading the information he had been told to deliver.

When the show hit its first commercial break, promos aired highlighting the brand as the ‘good guys of Philadelphia sports’ and the home for ‘great debate without the hate’. Given that the city had just held a parade where 10,000 people showed up to celebrate the city not winning a championship for more than two decades this once again seemed like the wrong way to reach people.

The brand at that time also relied on national programs to make an impression. We carried Fox Sports Radio in the morning, Tony Bruno’s Sporting News radio show in the midday, and Jim Rome’s Premiere Radio Networks show from Noon to 3. It wasn’t until 3pm when the radio station offered local content. National shows were heavily promoted in the liners, promos, and sports updates, and our attention to detail was so thin that one of our contributors who voiced sports minute’s on the radio station called Jim Rome – ‘Jim Ro-May’. That mistake wound up on the air.

It was a mess and I knew that it was going to take a lot of time and work to undo the damage that had already been done. Making matters worse was the fact that our brand name was the equivalent of white bread. Not Wonder Bread, Home Pride or Country Classic, just plain old white bread.

The station name ‘SportsTalk 950’ lacked buzz. It didn’t set us apart from our competitor. It didn’t sound like a brand name local fans would talk about in a bar or at a game with their friends. It simply screamed “If you don’t like WIP, please check us out”.

Given how emotionally charged Philadelphia sports fans are for their local teams and local sports radio personalities, it probably doesn’t shock you that they didn’t respond favorably to what we offered. The messaging wasn’t in tune with their passions, neither was the majority of our programming, and the strategy was flawed from the start. It wasn’t that the marketplace couldn’t sustain two great sports brands, or that local fans weren’t hungry for more sports talk. They just weren’t going to invest their time in a brand that didn’t meet their needs.

We had some talented people in that building (Joe DeCamara, Jody McDonald, Harry Mayes, Rob Ellis, Brian Seltzer, John Fullam, Paul Blake, Mike McMonagle). Some of them are still a part of the brand today. Where ‘The Fanatic’ now sits versus where it was then is a night and day difference and Matt Nahigian deserves a lot of credit for the job he’s done building the radio station. Equally deserving of praise is John Fullam and the corporate team at Greater Media because they were patient, made adjustments, invested more, and learned from their mistakes.

Which leads me back to Detroit. If the company had these examples to learn from, how did they misread the signs? There were too many similarities between the two stations except in Philadelphia they stuck it out. In Detroit they cut bait. Take a look.

  • Detroit Sports 105.1 bailed on two Programmers (Jason Dixon and Dave Shore) in less than three years. In Philadelphia, myself and Gregg Henson both exited the brand before it had been on the air for three years.
  • The brand name’s in both cities were bland. Detroit Sports 105.1 rang hollow because the radio station didn’t serve enough Detroit sports talk to its audience until two years after launching. SportsTalk 950 went thru the same challenges in Philadelphia.
  • Both stations relied heavily on national sports programming and didn’t make major adjustments until nearly two years after operating in the format.
  • Neither station hit the airwaves with rights to a local professional sports franchise.
  • Each station faced a strong competitor with deep market heritage in a city where local sports conversation is important.

The danger signs may be easy to see to those on the outside but usually there are reasons why things happen. Whether it’s needing to ramp up sales efforts, keeping expenses low so bigger investments can be made to secure local play by play deals or strengthening relationships with network partners. Those things are all part of running a business. Unfortunately, the local audience, advertising community, local teams, other local market personalities, and the radio station’s own staff, don’t take a wait and see approach. They judge the radio station by the way it initially presents itself.

Sean Baligian, who joined Detroit Sports 105.1 to host the midday program in October 2015, and was moved months later into mornings, confirmed to the Detroit Free Press that the issues were seen and felt internally. “Detroiters want Detroit.” said Baligian. “I don’t think the station did a real good job of giving them Detroit from 6a to 6p and certainly not on the weekend. When you think about it, for the 34 months that the station existed, 30 of those months had a national morning show, quite frankly, a New York-based show. I just don’t think that’s a good business model. I think by the time they learned that, it was probably too late.”

There were two advantages that Greater Media Detroit had that the Philadelphia operation didn’t. First, they launched on FM, and secondly, they hit the airwaves in afternoon drive with one of the market’s most popular personalities Drew Lane. Lane may have not been the typical sports talk radio host but he produced solid ratings and brought awareness to the brand. None the less, he wasn’t re-signed two years into the relationship.

Morning host Tom Mazawey told the Detroit Free Press “Drew Lane was our linchpin. We built the station around him, and then they told him, ‘We want you to change your show after 30 years in the business,’ or whatever he’s been at it. We were fourth in the ratings among 25- to 54-year-old males with Drew as our lead. People loved him. Advertisers were lining up to sign up with him. Once they pulled him, that was the last straw.”

Greater Media did make an attempt to land the Lions and Tigers. Those efforts didn’t produce the results that they had hoped for. Had one of those deals been secured, this is probably a different story. In the Detroit Free Press article, Mazawey shared how poorly the Tigers conducted themselves during negotiations with the radio station, and that certainly can make a company question if the effort and commitment to the format are worth it.

It may be frustrating but these things happen in negotiations frequently. I was with 95.7 The Game in San Francisco and we had interest in landing the rights to the Warriors and 49ers but neither situation worked out. Although we were initially disappointed, that didn’t deter us from making investments to further grow the brand. Play by Play certainly offers a lot of cume, marketing and revenue opportunities but it can also be a loss leader. That’s why most sports brands evaluate their business performance M-F 6a-7p.

In the end, Detroit sports radio listeners are left with one less listening option. A number of talented radio people are on the sidelines looking for their next opportunity. And Greater Media is left with a blemish on its record operating the sports format in Detroit.

I don’t believe for a second that two great sports brands can’t produce results or that the same type of spirited competition that exists in Philadelphia can’t be duplicated in Detroit. I just wish Greater Media had learned from their past experiences and been a little more patient.

Instead they chose to cut their losses and move on. I respect their decision to do what’s best for business. We can all point fingers and criticize but we’re not the ones losing millions of dollars annually. If it were your bank account that was shrinking on a regular basis, I’m sure you’d have a very different opinion.

That said, if you’re going to enter this format and have success in it, you have to be willing to commit from the start, take your bumps, and understand that it’s a long term play. Especially in a market where you’re up against a ratings juggernaut like 97.1 The Ticket. Greater Media decided that battle wasn’t worth staying in so now they’ve left the door open for another group to try their luck. That’s something I believe could’ve been prevented had they stayed the course and utilized a different strategy.

Kevin Graham Is Exiting As Program Director of WEEI

Jason Barrett
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Kevin Graham Is Exiting As Program Director of WEEI

According to sources, Kevin Graham is leaving his position as Program Director of WEEI. Graham’s contract was coming up and he’s elected not to resign. He had been in charge of the station’s programming since August 2013 when he replaced long-term Program Director Jason Wolfe.

Whether Graham has another opportunity lined up or just wanted a change of scenery is unclear. WEEI staff were informed through email earlier this evening of the upcoming change. A search for a new Program Director is expected to begin immediately.

As more details become clear we’ll update the story.

Detroit Sports 105.1 To Exit The Sports Format

Jason Barrett
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Detroit Sports 105.1 To Exit The Sports Format

Major news out of Detroit. Greater Media has confirmed they are exiting the sports format on 105.1. The sports staff were informed on Wednesday night in a staff meeting that the radio station would air a temporary simulcast of Classic Rock WCSX’s Oldies format until a new format is officially announced. 105.1 made the flip into the sports format in August 2013.

“The change comes after much careful consideration of the direction of the station’s format and overall ratings over the past three years,” said VP and Market Manager Steve Chessare. “We would like to thank our dedicated listeners and the entire Detroit Sports 105.1 staff for their many contributions to the station in the Motor City. They are true professionals and we are very grateful to them.”

105.1 had been operating without a Program Director since Dave Shore was let go in May. He was terminated less than two years into his tenure, as was former PD Jason Dixon. Popular local personality Drew Lane was also dropped after just two years on the station’s airwaves.

Despite promises early on to give the brand five years to develop, Greater Media Detroit elected to change direction in less than three years. Rumors had been swirling for the past two months about a potential flip but company sources stressed they were optimistic about finding a new programmer to help the station take the next step.

How this will impact the on-air staff’s immediate ability to return to the airwaves and the Detroit Pistons radio rights agreement is unclear but it brings to an end the promise of a brand which had an opportunity to compete against market leader 97.1 The Ticket but never could seem to make enough traction to satisfy management. The Tigers and Lions rights became available during the station’s run but Greater Media Detroit were unsuccessful in landing those agreements.

With 105.1 leaving the sports format, WDFN is left as the only in-market competitor to The Ticket. However, WDFN has been a distant third in the ratings. The Ticket continues to perform among the top stations in the sports format across the country.

Knowing Your Business, Yourself and Your Purpose

Jason Barrett
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The Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity took place last week in France and it provided a star studded guest list of some of the world’s best and brightest minds in the entertainment business. For media professionals seeking wisdom, advice, and information on content creation, brand development, audience engagement, and connection strategies, this week long event offered a lot to sink your teeth into.

Although a trip to France remains on my bucket list of future adventures to enjoy, this was one trip I wasn’t able to make. But thanks to the power of technology, I was able to watch a number of different speaker sessions and read a lot of articles to get a full understanding of the key takeaways.

Two sessions in particular stood out to me. The first one involved movie star Will Smith.

When you think of the ‘Fresh Prince of Bel-Air’, you likely identify him as a successful actor. Others may recognize him as a rapper or musician due to his success on the charts with the songs “Men in Black”, “Getting Jiggy with It” and “Parents Just Don’t Understand” just to name a few. But few would label him as a marketer. Yet that’s exactly how he identifies himself.

During his session in Cannes, the Hollywood star explained how the movie industry was affected by the explosion of social media. He shared stories of what he discovered about himself that required fixing before he could become the superstar that he is today, and offered advice to individuals and brands on how they can better connect with their audiences.

“There was a bit of a lag, a slump in my career—around the Wild Wild West time—where I found myself promoting something because I wanted to win, versus promoting something because I believed it was helpful,” Smith said. “I had so much success that I started to taste global blood. My focus shifted from my artistry to winning. I wanted to win. I wanted to be the biggest movie star in the world.”

His passion to win blinded him when identifying projects that would fit his brand. Instead of seeking out projects with a deeper meaning and concentrating on creating powerful content, Smith got caught up in the hype for each project and allowed the lure of fortune and fame to influence his decision making.

It didn’t take long to realize that a bad film doesn’t do much for a talented actor. In fact, it can permanently damage their brand. As consumers began to gain power in the way they communicated through social media, Smith knew he had to make changes and find a stronger connection to the work he was doing. If he wanted to reach people and have them care about the projects he was involved in, he had to become more selective and discover what truly mattered to him.

“In the 80’s and 90’s you’d have a piece of crap movie and you’d put out more trailers with all of these explosions and it was Wednesday before people knew your movie was shit” said Smith. “Now today, it’s 10 minutes into the movie before people are tweeting ‘Hey, this movie is shit, don’t see it. Will’s movie is shit, go see Vin Diesel’.”

The audience’s growing influence led to a permanent shift in Smith’s mindset. He challenged himself to figure out what his brand stood for and started asking questions to determine whether or not a project was the right fit. Making those adjustments helped steer Smith towards films with deeper meanings and helped him better understand how the audience perceived him and what he needed to provide in order to satisfy their needs.

“When I read a movie script, it’s not, ‘Is this going to make a lot of money?’. I’m asking myself, ‘How does this improve lives?’ It doesn’t have to be deep. If it’s just comedy and people come to get a laugh, it improves lives” explained Smith. “In making the shift from product to people, I am trusting that if I have a deeper comprehension of people, the product I create is going to be more successful. Smoke and mirrors marketing is over. People are going to know really quickly, and they’re going to know globally, whether your product is keeping its promises.”

By placing a stronger emphasis on the way his films improve lives, identifying projects that align with his brand, and valuing the opinion and connection to his audience, Smith has found a formula that’s catapulted him to the top of the entertainment industry. His films “Seven Pounds”, “The Pursuit of Happiness”, “I Am Legend” and the “Men In Black” series have all performed strongly at the box office, and he shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6e8kXLjtoM

The second session which caught my attention featured Stephanie McMahon and John Cena from the WWE. Given that I enjoy professional wrestling I’m more likely to be enamored by their commentaries than some others who don’t enjoy the WWE product, but it was their views on content, strategy, and connecting with the audience which drew me in.

When you think of the professional wrestling business, you don’t necessarily consider it to be similar to the sports radio/television industry. Many would say they’re worlds apart but when you cut to their core, they both focus on selling content, personalities, and brand associations, and developing loyal and passionate connections with an audience.

Stephanie began her session by pointing out how astute the audience is and why campaigns miss the mark. She pointed out how many brands attempt to push unwanted messaging on to their fans and it’s rejected because it lacks a connection to the product they’re consuming. She said the key to making a campaign work requires going the extra mile to create customized content so that it integrates in a way that is entertaining to the viewer yet still relates to the brand.

Social media was another area of focus. McMahon believes that brands must engage with their fan base, not just push messaging out to them. Failing to engage, poll and acknowledge feedback can result in a brand losing its most loyal consumers. To help people better understand the WWE’s strategy, she hammered home three critical points. Every sports radio and television company should take notice of these.

  1. It Starts with the Content
  2. Have a Strong Content Ecosystem Strategy
  3. Make Sure Your Brand Has a Purpose and Value

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qvYxsuQmRnw

To wrap up the WWE session, John Cena talked about his five point plan. In my opinion, this was one of the highlights of the entire presentation. It’s something that every single sports media personality, program director, and corporate executive should be able to relate to.

If you watch WWE programming, you’re aware that John Cena is one of the company’s top superstars. To compare his role to the sports media industry, he’d be the star talk show host or anchor on a popular radio station or TV program. He’s been the face of the WWE franchise for 15 years and his success has enabled him to make a strong transition into appearing in movies and on television. In fact, this July he’ll become the first pro wrestler to ever host the ESPYS.

While many hosts isolate themselves from the rest of their company’s business, Cena takes the opposite approach in his line of work. He’s aware of how the company is performing in the business world, what the expectations of the audience are, and how his personal brand fits with each storyline. He takes an interest in the ratings for each television show and familiarizes himself with the audience’s viewing patterns. He also serves as a goodwill ambassador for the company using his profile and platform to benefit charities and make a difference in people’s lives. In doing so, it brings the company a ton of mainstream media coverage but further demonstrates what type of person he is outside the ring.

Cena certainly has his fun inside the squared circle but outside of it he’s very much a businessman. He’s even gone as far as pushing for the company to expand into new territories. Recently he pushed the WWE to take a stronger look at expanding into China. After announcing that they would pursue the opportunity, Cena demonstrated how important of a move it was by learning and speaking mandarin at the company’s introductory press conference with the Chinese media. It’s that type of commitment and understanding of his business that has elevated him to the top in his profession.

Here are the five areas of focus in John Cena’s five point plan.

  1. Know Your Business
  2. Know Yourself
  3. Know Your Audience
  4. Never Be Afraid To Ask Questions
  5. Love What You Do

After listening to Will Smith, John Cena, and Stephanie McMahon talk about their careers, brands, and formulas for success, I understood why each of them have taken the elevator to the top of their professions. They are more than just entertainers. They are business people. They’ve been blessed with a gift to entertain, and they maximize those talents, but they also recognize how branding, connecting, and creating a successful business plan factors into every decision.

If I can stress two things to you from this article it’s to understand your business and take an active role in learning the elements of it that you’re not familiar with. Creating content is fun but it has little significance if it doesn’t register with the audience and your advertisers. When you immerse yourself in your company’s ratings and business strategy and understand the role you play in creating success, it helps make the journey to the top of the mountain more manageable. Play your cards right and you might just be there for a while.

WEEI Cancels Mike Adams’ Evening Program

Jason Barrett
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WEEI Cancels Mike Adams’ Evening Program

WEEI in Boston is making changes to its evening programming. Longtime evening host Mike Adams was fired yesterday after spending the better part of 23 years with the radio station. Chad Finn of Boston.com was first to report the story.

Adams was called in for a morning meeting where he was made aware of the news. Sources say that the necessity for an evening host had been a topic of debate for quite some time. With Red Sox games occupying most of the evening hours between April and September, the job was seen as a half-time position.

Entercom Boston Market Manager Phil Zachary alerted staff members in a memo that WEEI management had arrived at the decision after lengthy and careful consideration of the radio station’s present market position as well as a number of longer-term, strategic opportunities that are available. He added that during the next three or four months, those options will be evaluated with an eye toward the next chapter of WEEI nighttime programming.

WEEI recently signed a new deal with the Red Sox that runs through the 2023 season. That said, some were surprised of Adams’ termination considering that his show and the Red Sox play by play had co-existed for the past 10 years, and his timeslot delivered solid ratings.

According to Finn, inside speculation is that Mike Mutnansky, who hosts the Red Sox pre- and postgame shows, could be given the evening slot in the future.

5 Podcasts in 5 Days: The Vertical with Woj

Jason Barrett
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We’ve reached the end of the line for our “5 Podcasts in 5 Days” series. It’s been fun binge listening to multiple shows this week, and from a professional standpoint, it’s been beneficial for my own knowledge and understanding. There are many different approaches to creating quality podcasts, and I’ve discovered elements during this exercise that have my brain racing with a million different questions.

The ones that fill my head the most are, is this the type of programming that audiences will seek more of in the future? Can money be made in the space when commercial opportunities are minimal? How will they be marketed to expand the audience? Will they be measured properly? And aside from less commercials, are they any different than what’s being provided on local sports radio stations?

As I went through this project, I wanted to listen to shows that were very different from one another. I also sought out programs that were produced by different companies so I could see how each group approached the audio space. I listened to Bill Simmons, the Men in Blazers, Clay Travis, and Jonah Keri, and learned that there are qualities in each that I enjoy, and opportunities for growth. Unlike terrestrial radio which lives and dies by a faulty ratings system, but operates under it none the less, the podcasting platform is still evolving, and the blueprint to success is undergoing modifications.

For today’s final episode, I reviewed “The Vertical Podcast with Woj”. The program is hosted by nationally recognized NBA reporter Adrian Wojnarowski, whose written work is featured on Yahoo Sports, and whose podcast is produced by DGital Media. He’s also one of the most important, and influential sports media people on Twitter. His following currently sits at 1.3 million.

As you digest the information from today’s review, let me remind you that my assessments aren’t the gospel. These are my own professional opinions, and others who consume the content may feel differently about it. That’s no different than what a broadcaster deals with every time they hit the airwaves and talk to an audience. Some will like it, others will not. Either way, the show goes on.

My goal in doing this has been to deliver an honest and objective perspective, and give listeners an idea of what they can expect when they listen to a show. My praise isn’t paid for, and my criticisms aren’t personal. I realize that other podcasts that have been created by the host(s) may be different from the one I’m reviewing, but each show I’ve listened to is recent, and a fair reflection of each show’s work. Whatever exists on other episodes, has no relevance to the one I’ve spent time listening to.

If you’d like to listen to the episode I’ve reviewed and follow along, click here. Now without further delay, let’s get down to business.

  • TITLE: The Vertical
  • DATE: June 1, 2016
  • LENGTH: 42 Minutes
  • CAST: Host = Adrian Wojnarowski
  • SPONSORS: Seat Geek
  • PRODUCTION: Excellent open which includes a quick tease by Woj, a short sponsor plug, music and quality imaging. A short liner mid-show to return the program back into content after a live read, and a production close to wrap up the program.

SHOW BREAKDOWN:

0:32-2:53 = Woj opens up the show, introduces Golden State Warriors General Manager Bob Myers, and then dives right into discussing the Warriors Game 7 victory against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Myers explains how a Game 7 tests everyone’s emotions, and shares what went thru his mind on the drive home after the game was over.

2:54-5:14 = After being down 3-1 in the Western Conference Finals, Bob tells Woj what he learned about his team when their backs were against the wall.

5:15-9:15 = Bob shares some insight on Steph Curry’s confidence and leadership and how it rubs off on others. He gives some insight into conversations the two of them have had and how he helps him with understanding his role of being a leader.

9:16-12:07 = Woj talks about how Steph kept Klay Thompson feeling important when the national headlines started to shy away from the Splash Brothers and focus on Curry’s rise to stardom.

12:08-16:25 = Bob tells Woj how much respect and trust he has for Curry. He tells a story of when he updated Curry on the negotiations that were taking place with Draymond Green. He brought him in the loop and told him not to worry because they were working towards getting a deal done to keep Draymond in the Bay Area. Steph asked how much was on the table, and when Myers told him, he joked that Green should sign the deal immediately. Rather than get caught up in worrying about Green making more than himself, Steph was happy for his teammate, and never once turned it into a selfish situation. That type of approach makes it easier for Myers to go to bat for his superstar anytime he needs him to.

16:26-18:55 = Bob tells Woj about the nervousness and uncertainty that existed after Steph hurt his knee in the first round. The situation saddened him because he appreciates how hard Steph works, and he didn’t want to see him miss out on enjoying the benefits of everything he had worked so hard to produce throughout the season. He explains how Curry’s enthusiasm and positive outlook kept him feeling optimistic when it would have been easy to think negatively.

18:55-20:35 = Adrian smoothly transitions into a live read for SeatGeek, and starts it off by including the guest in the conversation – this was really well done (Bob, I know everyone is going to be coming to you and looking for tickets to the Finals, and I have a solution for you, send them to SeatGeek – here’s how it works)

20:36-20:40 = Production piece resets the show

20:41-23:12 = Woj asks Bob if the Warriors kept an eye on the Cavaliers during their record breaking season. He says they were so focused on their own business and the Western Conference that they didn’t have time to worry about the East. He adds insight on what impresses him about LeBron James.

23:13-28:59 = Was there added pressure on the Warriors to break the regular season wins record? Is it a successful season if they break the record but come up short in the playoffs? Bob explains how he approached the situation and why he has no concerns about the way the team followed the path that they did.

29:00-33:54 = His strong relationship with Kerr.

33:55- = Woj brings up Joe Lacob’s comments about the franchise being “light-years” ahead of the rest of the NBA. Myers explains how before he went to work for Lacob, he considered the Warriors owner brash, and thought he was crazy for thinking the team would win a championship in 5 years. Once he was hired by him, and got to know him, and how much winning mattered to him, he loved it, and appreciated having someone above him who sets the bar high. Bob admits he took some heat for Lacob’s comments, and although he himself would have said things in a more reserved manner, he loves Lacob’s passion, and his confidence and willingness to do whatever it takes to win, is a big reason why the franchise has become the best in the NBA.

SHOW ANALYSIS:

As I listened to this podcast, I was blown away for a few reasons. First, Woj is in command. He presents himself in an authoritative manner, and appears well prepared and confident. His game plan going into the interview is sound, and his ability to recall specific news and events, allows certain parts of the conversation to expand and become more interesting.

One thing you’ll notice quickly is the level of respect Bob Myers has for Woj. When the host of a show can put a guest at ease, it allows a discussion to evolve. Great material is offered consistently throughout this interview because of the trust, respect, and comfortability that exists between Bob and Woj.

Another reason the conversation was exceptional is because Woj is extremely skilled as an interviewer. He asks excellent questions, listens to the answers, follows up when necessary, and let’s the content develop organically. He also keeps his questions relatively short which is a very effective practice.

The other part of this podcast that deserves recognition is the production and structure. Of the five podcasts I reviewed this week, this one had the best presentation. You can tell that it’s being produced by people who have an ear for audio, and an understanding of creating good radio. The production to start the show is crisp, the liner incorporated after the live read sounds nice and helps the show return to content, and the end of the program closes with a nice touch as well.

Speaking of presentation, the way Woj works in the sponsor read for SeatGeek nineteen minutes into the show was very well done. They didn’t toss it out at the start of the show and make the listener wait four minutes to hear the content. It didn’t get buried at the end of the program when the audience has mentally checked out. And when it was executed in the middle of content, it was done so seamlessly and in a way that sounded connected to the conversation. If I was running SeatGeek and looking for an example to share with other podcasters who I was considering buying live spots from, this would be one that I highlight.

If there’s an area of the podcast that’s missing, it’s not hearing any commentary from Woj. This is strictly an interview podcast, and fortunately it’s a really good one. However, given Woj’s contacts in the basketball world, and the sports fan’s trust and interest in his work, I think it’d serve him well to come out of the gate for a few minutes sharing some stories and news items he’s hearing about, and then shift into the conversation with his guest.

If someone loves basketball and downloads this podcast, they’re going to learn some things from the guest that Woj chats with. But many of these fans see Woj the same way he sees his guests. If he can give them a little bit of himself, and create the demand for his information as he does on Twitter, this podcast could ascend to an even higher level.

CLOSING COMMENTS:

Bob Myers is a fantastic guest who I previously hired to do a weekly appearance on my former radio station in San Francisco. I knew he’d be great on this podcast because he’s one of the best guests in the NBA. I was curious to hear how similar or different he’d be with Woj compared to how he conducts himself on local Bay Area radio, and the conclusion I came away with is that he’s very engaged when talking to the media, and he understands why it’s important to give good answers and insight. When he talks to Woj, you get even more of that. That’s due to Bob recognizing Adrian’s power and influence.

If you love basketball, and conversations with notable NBA people, this podcast will excite you. If you appreciate smart and informed opinion, analysis, and in depth discussions on the NBA, this podcast will excite you. If you dislike the NBA, interview shows, or hosts who focus on information and seldom go on passionate diatribes, then you might want to consider other options.

In a nutshell, this is extremely well done. It has quality production, a great guest, a talented host/interviewer, and a format that keeps the focus on content while still satisfying the client. It could use more storytelling and opinion from the host, but that’s the only thing I felt was missing. I even thought the length of the podcast was perfect.

Woj has built a brand as the best reporter in NBA circles. That reputation helps him get people like Bob Myers to appear on the show, and that will give fans a reason to listen. If Woj can continue to deliver dynamite guests and information, and take the sports fan behind the curtain to learn additional details on stories he’s broken or is presently sourcing, this will become a podcast that attracts an even larger audience. I’m likely to be part of that group.

5 Podcasts In 5 Days: Jonah Keri Podcast

Jason Barrett
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It’s the fourth day of our “5 Podcasts in 5 Days” series, and so far it’s been an interesting experience. I started off reviewing “The Bill Simmons Podcast”. Explored unfamiliar territory by analyzing the “Men In Blazers”. Soaked up the passions of Clay Travis on “Outkick The Show”. And now I’m ready to discover what sets “The Jonah Keri Podcast” apart from the rest.

If you’ve read the other reviews, allow me a few seconds to repeat myself. Having worked in the sports radio industry for twenty years as a programmer, producer, and host, and now as a media consultant, my goal in reviewing these programs is to set a realistic expectation for the audience. I’m curious to see how each show compares to sports radio programs, how they capitalize on revenue opportunities, and what type of content experience they provide for their listeners.

If you’re a fan or critic of these shows, or if one of these programs is responsible for helping you make your next mortgage payment, don’t get too high or low off of the critique. This is the opinion of one person – Jason Barrett. Not the entire sports media universe.

As I offer my insights and opinions on these shows, I’m trying to do so in an honest and objective manner. The praise I provide isn’t paid for, and the criticisms I share aren’t personal. I realize that other podcasts that have been created by the host(s) may be different from the one I’m reviewing, but each show I’ve listened to is recent, and a fair reflection of their work. Whatever exists on other episodes, has no relevance to the ones I’ve spent time listening to.

If you’d like to listen to the episode I’ve reviewed and follow along, click here. Now let’s get down to business.

  • TITLE: The Jonah Keri Podcast
  • DATE: June 13, 2016
  • LENGTH: 36 Minutes 41 Seconds
  • CAST: Host = Jonah Keri
  • SPONSORS: Lootcrate.com
  • PRODUCTION: An excellent open, and short and effective close.

SHOW BREAKDOWN:

0:00-3:00 – The show begins with Jonah welcoming in the audience and promoting Tom Verducci’s appearance. He then executes a live read for the show’s new sponsor LootCrate.com and promotes his new SI piece, and a recent visit to the Negro League Museum. The voice inflection in the opening three minutes is a little inconsistent and there are times when Jonah sounds like he’s using his “broadcaster voice” rather than addressing things naturally.

3:00-3:30 – The production open hits, and it’s very catchy. It’s the Steve Perry song “Oh Sherrie”, reworked to highlight Jonah’s name and show. Well done.

3:30-11:05 – Jonah welcomes Tom Verducci to the program, and after exchanging pleasantries, they dive into discussing Jose Bautista’s status in the game, and his reputation inside baseball circles. As they maneuver through this topic, the discussion touches on Bautista’s upcoming free agency, his relationship with the city of Toronto, how the Toronto market is viewed by pending free agents, the bat flip incident, his fight with Rougned Odor, and the way teams and players respond in today’s game to showboating.

11:05-36:37 – The next area of focus is on Vin Scully who’s announced that the 2016 baseball season will be his last as a play by play announcer. Jonah explains the feelings that Scully evokes in people, and how he met him for the first time inside of a bathroom. Verducci adds to it by explaining why Vin is the best at what he does. He says that Vin’s humility is real, and his warm and inviting demeanor, and special talents as a storyteller, make you feel like family when you listen. Jonah wonders if it’s even possible for another Vin Scully to emerge or if broadcasters would be better served being themselves rather than trying to replicate what he’s done, and Tom believes that authenticity is key.

This leads to a great story from Verducci. He shares that during high school, Vin and his good friend Larry Miggins shared their dreams. Scully hoped to become a major league baseball announcer. Larry wanted to play in the major leagues. Seven or eight years later, Larry was called up by the St. Louis Cardinals and playing at Ebbets Field while Scully called the game. It was on this day that Miggins would hit his first homerun. Vin got quiet on the call because the moment was personal for him. He says that it’s the one time where he nearly lost it.

Jonah then shares why simplicity is broadcasting can be powerful, and how great announcers like Scully know when to be quiet and let the crowd tell the story. Verducci shares how Scully’s humility plays into the approach. While others may try to interject themselves into the story, Vin takes the opposite approach and believes that it’s a moment that belongs to the team and player, not the broadcaster.

The conversation then shifts to Tom’s transition into the broadcast booth. Verducci points out the importance of doing research and gaining information to help him establish his own identity on the broadcast. He adds that memory recall is also important because you can’t do math during the game. His goal is deliver a point or tidbit that others use in regular conversation. When he’s able to do that then he feels like he’s making a connection with the audience.

Having both worked as journalists, Tom and Jonah discuss the benefits of long-form vs. short-form content, and the approach taken by Sports Illustrated. Tom believes that everybody likes a good, well told story, and that’s the essence of long-form journalism. The appetite of people might have changed in recent times but if the content is great, people will make time for it..

The interview begins to come down the home stretch as Jonah asks Tom to share some of his favorite stories that he’s written during his career. He highlights a piece on steroids, and a couple of stories that included the Blue Jays and Red Sox. Jonah talks about the challenge of being a sports writer and how you can question the importance of your job at times. Tom explains that he used to have similar thoughts but after talking to Bob Klapisch about it, he was reminded of the many reasons why his work does matte. The discussion wraps up with Tom adding how he tries to be himself, speak in his own style, and blaze his own trail as a broadcaster and writer.

A quick creative production close runs after Jonah thanks Tom for being on to signal the end of the podcast.

SHOW ANALYSIS:

If you’re a fan of good interviews, and in-depth conversations between established sports media professionals, you’ll enjoy this podcast. The respect Tom and Jonah have for one another is very noticeable, and each question is followed up with excellent substance. That made it easy to listen for a long periods of time. Over the course of thirty three minutes, Jonah asked Tom to weigh in on thirteen different topics and questions, and that helped the discussion explore different areas which kept it interesting.

One simple quality that I enjoyed on this show is that there’s a commitment to include some production value. The “Oh Sherrie” spinoff was creative, and added a little spice to the presentation. Some may find it hokey but as a lifelong radio guy, I appreciate it when shows try to add something extra to their appearance. Even the production close to signal the end of the broadcast was a nice simple touch. It won’t help Jonah add new listeners or stir the emotions of the audience, but it makes the product sound professional.

There are two places where the show can make some improvements. I’ve separated them into two sections to help explain each point.

First, Jonah doesn’t sound as natural and comfortable selling the opening three minutes, as he does during conversation with Verducci. If he can replicate who he is in the interview during his opening introduction, it’ll prevent listeners from skipping ahead to the conversation. Long-form broadcasting isn’t easy. At times we feel like we’re talking to ourselves, and our minds are programmed to think that the audience is stopping by because of the guest list. The guest may add value, and bring people inside the arena, but it’s the host’s name that’s featured on the front of the marquee. One point that came up in the interview was how Vin Scully told an aspiring broadcaster to be himself instead of trying to emulate what he did as a play by play announcer. If Jonah just talks from the heart, and tells people what he’s hoping to accomplish on the upcoming episode, it’ll not only sound better, but it’ll make him feel more confident too.

The second improvement opportunity has to do with the show’s structure in diving into content. Jonah opened up previewing the show, and read an eighty second sponsor read before the production open hits. It takes three minutes and thirty seconds before the show really gets into its best content. If the production open starts the show, and is followed up by the intro, it would allow Jonah to move quicker into conversation which will hook people faster. In a perfect world, the sponsor would be included after a natural re-set or after the interview concludes. I also thought eighty seconds was a very long read. The majority of things promoted during the spot will be forgotten by the audience.

CLOSING COMMENTS:

Jonah and Tom have excellent chemistry, and I would listen to them talk about baseball and broadcasting again without hesitation. If your preference for a show includes an outspoken personality who hammers home hot takes and makes front page news, this won’t be your cup of tea. The presentation relies on smart, and insightful conversation, and is more in line with what you’d hear inside of a baseball stadium press box rather than inside your neighborhood sports bar.

In this particular episode, I don’t hear enough of Jonah’s personality which is something I’d like to see more of. His writing is excellent, and his appearances on radio and television shows have come across well, so the ability is there. One doesn’t need to be forceful with opinions to provide good content value, and I think Jonah probably has some stories locked away in his memory cabinet that would be fun for the audience to listen to. If he starts to open himself up more I think it’ll become an even better podcast.

One can question if this podcast is any different from what listeners hear on sports radio on a daily basis. It’s built around an interview just like many local programs. The audience’s interest level depends on their affinity towards Jonah, which is why I mentioned the importance of including a little more of his personality and storytelling skills.

That said, his interview with Verducci is excellent. Tom is engaging, has great energy, listens to the questions asked, and tries to add something of substance to further the discussion. His insights and opinions are well presented, and if you appreciate what he does, I can’t see you turning off this episode. Jonah also deserves credit for moving the conversation forward, asking good questions, and creating an environment which allows the interview to enter some really good content locations.

If Jonah’s team makes a few minor tweaks, and continue to book the same quality guests on future episodes, there will be sports fans who continue to download this program and enjoy it.

5 Podcasts In 5 Days: Outkick The Show

Jason Barrett
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The “5 Podcasts in 5 Days” series has reached the hump day portion of the work week. Today, we take a closer look at a recent episode of “Outkick The Show” featuring Clay Travis of FOX Sports and Outkick The Coverage fame.

When I decided to tackle this project, this was one of the program’s I was looking forward to critiquing because Clay’s approach to the show is unique. He broadcasts on multiple platforms and uses social media as well as anyone to drive tune ins and engagement. How is it paying off? I’ll let you know what I uncovered as you sort through the remainder of this article.

Before diving in, let me once again remind you that if you’re a fan or critic of the shows I’m reviewing this week, or getting paid to work on one of them, don’t overreact. These are my sole opinions based on listening to one specific episode. Others may consume the product differently. A good critique doesn’t earn you a pay raise from your employer, and a bad critique doesn’t mean you should quit the industry.

As I offer my assessments, my only goal is to share an honest, and objective view of what listeners can expect to hear when they download and listen to the show. If other podcasts produced by the host(s) are different than the one I’ve analyzed that’s irrelevant. This isn’t an exercise in reviewing every single episode in the history of the program. It’s a review based on what the show recently recorded and published online for the whole world to hear.

Now that we’ve taken care of that business, let’s dive into the analysis. You’ll also find an audio version of the episode to listen to and follow along with if you wish.

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  • TITLE: Outkick The Show
  • DATE: June 10, 2016
  • LENGTH: 45 Minutes 34 Seconds
  • CAST: Host = Clay Travis
  • SPONSORS: None.
  • PRODUCTION: None.
  • EXTRA: The show can be heard in audio form on iTunes, Soundcloud, and Stitcher, and watched on Periscope, YouTube and Facebook Live. It’s also heavily promoted through FOX Sports, Twitter, and Facebook.

SHOW BREAKDOWN:

:00-20:15 = Clay begins by proclaiming “Deadspin is Dead”. He talks about Gawker Media filing for bankruptcy after losing a court battle to Hulk Hogan. The discussion includes Clay’s perspective on why Deadspin has gone backwards, how he approaches content at Outkick The Coverage, and why he thinks Outkick is built to stand the test of time while sites like Deadspin stumble. Clay brings up various examples of Deadspin using their influence to bury people, and explains how he could make the site great again if he purchased it. This leads to analyzing how the internet and social media have become playgrounds for the soft and why Clay believes authenticity and understanding context is important. The end of the monologue ends with Clay sending a few expletives in Deadspin’s direction and declaring victory for his gavel of justice.

20:20-33:10 = Bankruptcy attorney Warner Jones from Emerge joins Clay to provide some legal perspective on the issues facing Deadspin, and how they’ll influence the sale process.

33:10-34:30 = Post-interview comments from Clay.

34:30-36:10 = Clay provides his NBA Finals betting tips. With the Cavs favored by 2.5 heading into Game 4, Clay likes the Warriors. He picks them to win the game by double digits and go up 3-1 in the series.

36:10-39:00 = A social media message is sent in from J-Rob who wants to know if the Gawker lawsuit will have a chilling effect on media coverage. Clay answers the question and explains how Gawker operate differently from a number of other media companies. After describing how Deadspin goes after him, and his colleagues at FOX Sports, and uses malice in the way they cover people, Clay drops the hammer on them by adding “they fought for 10 years, but got in the ring with the wrong person, and Hulk Hogan f’ing leg dropped them and ended them as a company”.

39:00-45:15 = The discussion turns towards editorial decisions and how Clay determines what is and isn’t acceptable for his website. Clay is a strong backer of the first amendment and believes that the ‘PC Bromanis’ should have zero influence over what content gets published online. Although some may take offense with the words they read, and the images they see online, Clay says each individual shares in the responsibility because they have a choice of whether or not to read or watch it. This leads to talking about the differences in how FS1 and ESPN approach content. If Clay had his way FS1’s new marketing slogan would be “Fox Sports 1 – We Aren’t Pus***s”. Instead he says it’ll probably be something to the effect of  “Fox Sports 1 – Fearless”. The conversation wraps up with Clay explaining why all publicity that doesn’t risk jail time is good publicity.

45:15-45:35 = Clay teases Thursday and Friday’s shows, thanks the audience for listening and watching, and signs off.

SHOW ANALYSIS:

From start to finish, Clay Travis is dialed in and unafraid to express himself. He throws verbal haymakers throughout the episode, and seeks to leave a mark with every opinion. Whether it’s calling out Deadspin, ESPN, or the people of this world who become outraged by things that have little importance in their lives (Clay took an interesting position, explaining why he felt bad for Emily Austen who was fired for making racist remarks during an interview on Barstool Sports), when Clay gets rolling on a subject he’s invested in it’s hard to slow him down. He could help himself on occasion by pausing after a powerful opinion and letting the audience digest it. Clay can get pretty fired up, and move rapidly through the content, and if you’re not listening closely you could miss something.

Strong opinions aside, the show lacks in two areas. First, there is no production value whatsoever. There’s no open, close, or any form of audio used inside of the content to enhance the presentation. One could make the case that it’s not even an actual show, as much as it is an invitation into Clay Travis’ life. What Clay does is no different than what any individual on social media does when they turn on Periscope or Facebook Live and broadcast to their friends. The big difference is that he does it on all platforms at once, and with thousands watching. That’s the result of developing a strong brand and following, and having the FOX Sports machine behind him. He was one of the first to embrace broadcasting exclusively in digital form, and so far it seems to be working out well for him.

The second area that underwhelmed was the sponsorship space. I’m sure FOX Sports has a strategy in place to monetize the program, but that’s not evident in the presentation. For a listener, that shouldn’t matter at all since they come for the content, and would prefer not to be bombarded by messages from clients. Looking at it though strictly from a business point of view, no sponsor was mentioned during the entire forty five minute broadcast. I also didn’t see anything visually in front of or behind him that would suggest that non-traditional revenue was being generated during the program.

Some other hits from the show included Clay’s decision to bring on a bankruptcy attorney to advance the Gawker Media topic. Warner Jones came across very relaxed, and conversational, and he attempted to offer information that was easy for the audience to comprehend. There were times where the talk was above the common fan’s head, but given the magnitude of the story, and Clay’s personal connection to it, it made sense to do that. Be advised that the audio quality isn’t great since the conversation was heard through a speakerphone due to the show being broadcast in video and audio form. The only objection I had was that I didn’t think thirteen minutes of analyzing legal bankruptcy issues was necessary. The subject was excellent, the guest was good, and Clay’s questions were on point, but it started to become fatiguing. If he ends the discussion a couple of minutes earlier, it makes a stronger impact.

Two final items I want to draw attention to were that the program had a nice flow, and good structure. It started with an extensive monologue on the Gawker story which positioned Clay as an authority figure on the topic. His energy, and passion for the material draws you in, and when he gets the opportunity to make a point that leaves the audience excited, pissed, or curious, he takes full advantage of it. After the monologue, he shifts into interview mode, which presents a different content experience for the audience. He then wraps things up by incorporating some smaller stories and feedback from the audience. That turns a forty five minute show into a three to six segment program which keeps the listener and viewer on their toes and looking ahead to what’s coming next.

CLOSING COMMENTS:

With Clay, there is no middle ground. You’re either an advocate for what he does or you loathe his approach. His opinions are direct, razor sharp, without apology, and he’s not going to alter his style for anyone. I personally love that about him. In sports radio we ask our talent to emotionally move the audience with unfiltered and unique opinions. Clay does that with ease.

Are there times when he comes across as an elitist? Yes. Is there a little bit of Jim Rome in the delivery? Some might say so. Will some listeners form an opinion that he sees himself as the smartest guy in the room? Probably. But that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Any talent who has ever done anything significant in this business has had their fare share of fans, and a longer list of detractors. Clay isn’t going to lose sleep over whether or not you like him. He just aims to invade your headspace enough to draw you back in to consume his content.

In listening to this show, it connected with me because the subject was in my wheelhouse, and Clay presented it in compelling fashion. I  specifically love how he dove into subjects quickly and led off with his best headline. As soon as I heard him utter “Deadspin is Dead”, I was hooked. He presents himself as an opinion leader, and the structure of the show is designed to keep it interesting.

There will be some people who are turned off by his use of expletives, but aside from a few times where it felt like he was swearing just because he could, I thought he used them to emphasize points or put the final touch on something he felt very personally attached to. I would recommend this show to people who enjoy passionate ‘opinionists’ (a Jamie Horowitz buzz word). If you’re easily offended or not a fan of personalities who attack from Round 1 to 12, then this might not be the show for you. Regardless of your personal preferences, Clay isn’t going to change or stop punching for anyone.

5 Podcasts In 5 Days: Men In Blazers

Jason Barrett
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Welcome to the second installment of “5 Podcasts in 5 Days“. We began this series by placing the “Bill Simmons Podcast” under the microscope. Now for our second act, we shift our focus to the “Men In Blazers”.

As I analyze these programs, I’m seeking to gain a deeper understanding of what makes them unique, how they sound compared to sports radio shows, how differently the sponsors are involved in each broadcast, and what type of content experience is provided to the audience. I’m also curious to see how similar or different they are from each other.

If you’re a fan/critic of these shows, or get paid to work on one of them, take the analysis with a grain of salt. This is just the opinion of one person – Jason Barrett. My goal in offering these insights and opinions is to give an honest, and objective view of what listeners can expect to hear when they download and listen to each show. Other podcasts that have been created by the show may be different from the one I’m analyzing, but this is a reflection of their most recent work, so what may or may not exist on other episodes is irrelevant.

Now that we’ve established that, let’s dive into the second review. You’ll also find an audio version of the episode to listen to and follow along with if you wish.

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  • TITLE: The Men In Blazers Podcast
  • DATE: June 8, 2016
  • LENGTH: 1 Hour 1 Minute
  • CAST: Hosts = Michael Davis and Roger Bennett
  • SPONSORS: Seat Geek, Guinness, and Amazon. Plugs for ViceSports.com, Disney Store, and The Raven.
  • PRODUCTION: Good theatrical music to open the show, a couple of sound effects, but very simple and dry.

SHOW BREAKDOWN:

:00-:20 = Production music runs to kick off the show, followed by a verbal intro announcing the start of the show

:20-10:00 = Rog and Davo mention that they’re recording the podcast after the U..S.A. defeated Costa Rica 4-0 in the COPA America tournament. During the first ten minutes the conversation shifts into multiple directions including, being hungover, italians nibbling on dry bull penis to get over hangovers, Rog’s pessimistic outlook heading into big games, why the COPA America tournament isn’t great, the reasons why these games shouldn’t take place in NFL stadiums, being subjected to terrible white reggae artists, and crashing the upper 90 website.

10:00-10:50 = Reset of the show, and a preview of what else will be covered throughout the remainder of the program. The guys utilize two sound effects of a beer can being opened, and then poured into a glass, and they naturally weave in which Guinness beverages they’re drinking as they record the show.

10:50-42:35 = Discussion turns to a Wall Street Journal article where U.S.A. Head Coach Jurgen Klinsmann offers a number of quotes that don’t sit well with Rog and Davo. The guys are confused why Klinsmann would make comments prior to an important game. They then transition to covering the USA’s 2-0 loss to Colombia, and why American soccer fans don’t care as much about winning it all as they do seeing progress being made. Next, they focus on the way Jurgen uses his roster, and sticks with his veterans, sometimes to the detriment of a game. This allows them to segway to discussing USA’s win over Costa Rica, and the emotional roller coaster moments the game provided. Davo raises the question “who is going to emerge as the next major American star to follow in the footsteps of Landon Donovan, Clint Dempsey, and Michael Bradley?” After offering suggestions, a look ahead to the US vs Paraguay is offered.

42:35-44:45 = Davo points out that Brazil played to a draw with Ecuador to start the tournament, and now will play Haiti next. Rog says that nobody in Brazil is talking about this tournament. He adds that it’s an important tournament for US fans but one great myth about Brazil is that they love soccer, when in reality they’re only interested when their teams are winners. The guys then call out Neymar for hanging out with Justin Bieber, and Jamie Foxx, and not the M.I.B.

44:45-47:15 = The topic shifts to Mexico and their impressive opening win over Uruguay. They call it “Donald Trump’s worst nightmare” and mention that he might have underestimated the size of the wall he’s going to have to build, and may have to begin building it in America. They then review the key parts of the game,

47:15-48:45 = Next, the guys turn their attention to Argentina knocking off Chile 2-1. Leo Messi didn’t play, and the guys agree that he wasn’t needed to win this contest. Rog brings up the new fad that’s catching on where European futbol players have started going blonde.

48:45-51:05 = After learning that England coach Roy Hodgson told Jamie Vardy to keep his focus on France despite the Arsenal triggering a release clause in his Leicester City contract, Rog and Davo debate whether or not Vardy is the right type of fit for the Arsenal. Rog asks “is this the type of ending we want for the Jamie Vardy movie?” A discussion about Vardy’s career develops, and the guys agree that he’s best suited to remain with Leicester City but they’re not sure that will be possible.

51:05-52:50 = Will Josie Mourinho end up with Manchester United? That’s the next focus of conversation. The guys discuss his strengths on the field, why he’d be the right type of fit, and the financial commitment that will be necessary to retain his service. Although Rog understands the move, he cautions that it could turn out to be a Michael Jordan on the Washington Wizards type of decision. This leads to discussion about Ilkay Gundogan signing a 4-year agreement with Manchester.

52:50-54:45 = Davo brings up another news story, pointing out that Everton has agreed to a deal with Southampton which will allow Ronald Koeman to become their new manager. Rog understands why some might be confused by the move but offers some explanations of why it happened.

54:45-55:30 = One final news item is brought up before the show wraps up. Davo informs the audience that Swansea City have become the latest American owned Premier League club. The decision awaits approval but Rog thinks it’s a fantastic move because it means that the new ownership group will be absentee landlords trying to lead a club to the promised land.

55:30-57:00 = A preview of what’s on tap for the weekend followed by a Live read for Seat Geek.

57:00-60:00 =With the show winding down, Davo reminds people how they can interact. It starts with promotion of their Amazon emporium page which the guys generate some revenue from. After Rog mentions a book he’s placing in the emporium, and what makes it a worthwhile read, Davo brings up that he will be taking his family to France next week and won’t be available to cover the show with him. This leads to a natural plug for the Disney Store’s Star Wars rolling case, carry on suitcase.

60:00-61:10 = The guys sign off by reminding people to watch the COPA, and their video episodes on ViceSports.com. They also promote their newsletter “The Raven” which is co-produced along with their partner Guinness. Davo wraps up by mentioning that the guys will be providing a special Euro 2016 preview where some of their past guests preview their home countries. Three of those guests are Sheamus from the WWE, Marcin Gortat of the Washington Wizards, and NBC Sports commentator and former footballer Robbie Mustoe. The guys then sign off with a unique and clever exchange that goes as follows:

  • Vanderpunk Rog – War Pig
  • Who wants to sex Mutombo – explosia
  • Courage – take that Gloria
  • Is that your analysis – I love seer sucker
  • Cmon United States of America, Cmon Saint Booby Wood
  • Love you Rog, Love you Davie

SHOW ANALYSIS:

I was eager to review this show because it was outside of my comfort zone. Truth be told, I’m not a soccer fan. I also don’t listen often to sports talk delivered by british personalities. I had heard that the “Men In Blazers” were a rare, and enjoyable listen, and I wanted to discover if the show was worthy of the praise it had received.

It took a little bit of time for me to get used to their delivery, and some of the words weren’t easy to comprehend, but the more I listened, the more entertained I became. Rog and Davo have an incredible chemistry, and their quick wit stands out. Equally as impressive is the way Rog’s brain works. His analogies, phrases, and one-liners keep you on the edge of your seat wondering what else he has up his sleeve. Davo plays the perfect foil and knows when to interject, step back, add his own comedic value, or move the conversation along.

During the span of an hour, I laughed frequently. The word combinations were brilliant, and flew so fast that I had to rewind the show a few times to make sure I heard things correctly. As an example, here are five clever lines that stood out.

  • “It’s futbol in which the majority of athletes don’t care about chasing a trophy which is not real before crowds that are not there. Kanye West drew bigger crowds for a 2am concert that didn’t happen in New York City in the rain.”
  • “Nothing makes me think about my own death and self loathing more than white canadian reggae artists. If the name Magik wasn’t enough, they needed an exclamation mark after it. If you didn’t see them, just imagine one of Kyle Beckerman’s wet dreams and that’s what played out before America.”
  • “He had the finish of a foreigner, a foreigner who is the best foreigner since I want to know what love is.”
  • “Gyasi Zardes was tearing in on goal with the heavy touch of a tender lover.”
  • “They were worse than David Beckham’s Spanish in a Sprint commercial.”

From a content standpoint, they dove in quickly, and focused the majority of the show on the US team’s performance in the COPA America tournament. They gave the audience ten solid minutes on the last game, and after a reset, move into other storylines involving Team USA. Altogether they kept the discussion interesting for forty two minutes. This shows a commitment on their end to feature the content that will have the broadest appeal to an American audience.

When they finish discussing the US team, they navigate through seven topics involving other international teams in thirteen minutes. The pace during these topics is fast, but Rog and Davo still have time to inform, and entertain.

As it applies to business, this is a very rich content experience. There are a few live reads at the end of the show, and the inclusion of Guinness via a sound effect and verbal plug early on, but it’s not heavily filled with sponsors. That could be by design, or it could speak to a bigger challenge in selling the show. For a listener though, you get a lot of content without disruption.

If there’s an area where this particular show could improve, it’s in the production space. Beyond the verbal interaction between Roger and Davo, there’s nothing extra to it. If you were hoping to hear a guest, audience participation, creative bits, audio clips, etc. you’re not going to find what you’re looking for.

To their credit, they’re entertaining enough without guests or calls. When they discuss subjects though such as Klinsmann’s comments, Team USA defeating Costa Rica, or Mexico defeating Uruguay, they could have easily included audio of Klinsmann, a USA goal, and/or Trump talking about building a wall to make the content experience more creative and engaging.

CLOSING COMMENTS:

If you struggle to appreciate an international flavor of conversation than you’re not going to enjoy the Men In Blazers. Their accents are noticeable, and their cadence, analogies, and everyday conversation is vastly different from what many Americans are used to hearing. If you’re not interested in hearing about soccer, that too will turn you off. It’s the key focus of the entire broadcast.

However, if you enjoy soccer, or can allow yourself to be entertained, the Men In Blazers will give you your money’s worth. Their verbiage, phrasing, analogies, comedic timing, sarcasm, and chemistry are excellent, and you can tell how much Rog and Davies enjoy hosting together. You’re left in stitches every few minutes courtesy of their unique stories, observations, and one liners. They see the world of sports differently, and it takes some getting used to, but they provide a program that is content rich, fast paced, funny, smart, and unique.

The creative can be enhanced, and I wonder how much revenue can be generated for a show like this, but for a listener there’s a lot of meat on the bone to chew on. If I enjoyed soccer more, this would be a weekly must-listen. But since the sport has less appeal to me, that makes it tougher to commit to on a regular basis. That said, I’m convinced that if you gave these guys an hour to talk about a gallon of milk, rebuilding a transmission, or herding cattle, they’d still find a way to make it entertaining.

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