The Toast to 10 series, presented by Premiere Networks, is a month-long look back at 10 years of Barrett Media. Throughout the month, you’ll hear from those who have shaped the company, managed and created content, read the site, and partnered with the brand between 2015 and 2025, sharing how they’ve seen it play a role in covering the media industry and educating, celebrating, and challenging the business.
A staff of nearly 20 writers contributes columns, features, and daily industry news items to Barrett Media each weekday.
That small army of folks writes in a variety of fields, focusing on the news media industry, music radio, sports media, and the media business as a whole.
The Barrett Media moniker has been to celebrate, educate, and challenge the broadcasting industry through its content. These writers are the ones who help accomplish that mission.
We asked several of our current writers to share what drew them to the brand, how they became affiliated with Barrett Media, what their favorite columns or features have been, and what has received the most pushback, conversation, or intrigue within the industry.
Mundo has been aware of Barrett Media since before the brand launched. He and Jason Barrett were friendly when Barrett was still working in the sports radio format, while Mundo was cutting his teeth in a variety of freelance roles.
The two met for lunch, with Barrett explaining the vision of the brand.
“It was our first time visiting in person after years of exchanging emails,” Mundo said. “When I was starting my career in Oklahoma and pestering hundreds of program directors around the country looking for feedback on my audio, Jason was one of a handful to actually respond and give me the critiques I desperately needed.”
In addition to writing a news/talk radio column for Barrett Media, Pete Mundo is also the Program Director and morning show host at 95.7 KCMO Talk Radio in Kansas City. Additionally, he was recently elevated to the role of Vice President of News/Talk for Cumulus Media.
He said writing for Barrett Media has helped his profile in the industry increase.
“When Jason first asked me to contribute for what was formerly Barrett News Media, I was the APD and morning host at KCMO in Kansas City,” he shared. “Hearing from some of the top people in our industry on my columns has been rewarding, insightful, and beneficial for my own growth as a talent and programmer. I’m grateful and love the feedback, the positive and the constructive criticism, whenever it comes.”
When asked what his favorite piece he’s contributed to the website during his tenure has been, Mundo said it was sharing a special story that taught him a valuable lesson.
“Sharing my story of legendary WFAN program director Mark Chernoff telling me I hosted the worst show in WFAN history when I walked out of his studio doing a sleepy overnight shift as a young broadcaster in my mid-20s,” Mundo shared. “While I’ll never concede it was the worst show in FAN history, his overall points were absolutely correct. I did too much lifestyle, pop culture, etc., and not enough game breakdown.
“While I was distraught in the moment, he did me a tremendous favor in making me realize talking games every day was not going to be in my future. It was the unofficial start of my transition away from sports talk and into news/talk.”
Perry Michael Simon was synonymous with AllAccess, serving as the talk radio czar for the venerable radio trade publication.
So when that platform shuttered, it was a natural evolution for him to join our team at Barrett Media.
He joked that he often receives an even number of favorable and unfavorable reactions to his opinions about the industry.
“I think I’ve attained the status of someone who can say anything and people just shrug and say, ‘there he goes again,'” he shared.
He added that the work at Barrett Media is a “continuation of what I developed for over 25 years at All Access. Staying on the industry’s mind is the main thing, and that’s where I am.”
When asked what his favorite piece has been that he’s written for the brand, he had a succinct, Perry-like answer.
“No favorites. I can barely remember them once I’ve written and submitted each one as it is,” he said.
John Mamola serves as the Sports Editor for Barrett Media, joining the brand earlier this year.
He said that in his time with the brand, there has been plenty of reactions to what he’s written and the stances he’s taken.
But that doesn’t mean it’s always bad.
“Reaction doesn’t always have to be positive or negative,” said Mamola. “I’ve gotten some pieces that get lots of feedback, and some that get little. I would say the best feedback that I cherish the most is the feedback from Mike McVay that I received following my piece on Lee Corso’s retirement from ESPN. I got that email saved forever because it meant so much to get that kind of reaction from one of the more respected names in our industry.”
He added that he’s now aware of just how laser-focused in his past job, that he neglected portions of the professional development and growing his profile inside the industry.
“I’m finding in my short time with the brand that working inside a building for so long siloed me from gaining knowledge and perspective from the outside world. So from that standpoint, yes,” he said. “I think my experience should shed light on how important a site like Barrett Media is to connect with those from around the industry in all sections of it.
“I didn’t know nearly as much about the podcast world as I do now, same for television. I’m still a novice in some aspects, but have gained knowledge because of the platform I now represent,” he added. “I encourage people in positions of power to reach out to people in industries that you have questions about. Because while we all have challenges, the answers to those questions are relatively similar in every aspect.”
Mamola concluded that he’s appreciated the opportunity to work both with Barrett Media and its founder, to help push the entire industry forward
“Jason Barrett loves this industry and is a driven leader,” he shared. “He truly cares about finding new avenues in which the media industry can come together and evolve into a new day. I value his knowledge and his willingness to be open to ideas and conversation, and I’m looking forward to continuing to support his brand for the next decade plus in any capacity.”
Lauren Ashburn is a veteran television news anchor, reporter, and contributor, with places like Fox News, PBS NewsHour, USA Today, and The Wall Street Journal, among others, on her resume.
Ashburn said the brand has been in her ecosystem for several years.
“Barrett Media has been on my radar for a long time, mostly from social media exposure, and I was immediately struck by the range of coverage, from well-written columns to industry news. I was also impressed by the elite audience the newsletter reaches in the sports and radio space.”
She shared that she’s overjoyed to have the ability to share her thoughts, feelings, and best practices with both the growing site and the ever-changing media sphere.
“I’m delighted to be among some of the first columnists to analyze media coverage from a television perspective,” she said. “Looking forward to seeing what the company does in the next ten years!”
Keith Cunningham, outside of his duties with Barrett Media, is tasked with leading one of the most legendary brands in all of radio, 95.5 KLOS in Los Angeles.
He says that having the decades of experience in the industry — especially in rock radio — gives him a unique perspective and sharing it has been one of the most rewarding parts of his time.
“Showing my battle scars in an effort to help others, who love Radio like I do, learn from my many years of doing the grind,” Cunningham said when asked what hte most enjoyable part of writing for the brand has been. “Along with the freedom to choose whatever topics I want and use my real voice without the worry of an editor clamping down if I sometimes talk like a rock guy who just got off tour.”
Cunningham shared that he has a specific goal in mind when crafting his columns.
“I try to frame pieces that not only help the front line warriors, but also have something in it for the upstairs team that might create some thought or a POV that might not be on their everyday scroll,” he shared. “There’s no shortage of people who can write about rotations, formatics, chart positions, and the general stuff — and that is important — but I challenge myself to find ‘outside angles’ and relate them to Radio, whether it’s the NFL, Sydney Sweeney or something as random as finding the parallels of running a 7-Eleven and programming a Radio station. That’s what I like most, and it’s also the most challenging aspect.”
He added that he was attracted to the brand because he saw it “filing a critical need with news, of course, but more importantly it was the relevant , wide-ranging commentary and opinion delivered with some with punch. Whether right or wrong with a take, and we’ll all be wrong sometimes, the writers can truly call it as they see it, and that attracted me well before I started writing my nonsense for the site.”
One of radio’s top talent coaches, Kevin Robinson says he is “honored to have a voice on Barrett Media,” after joining the brand as it evolved to cover music radio in 2024.
He said there’s a specific item that has been most rewarding since joining.
“The feedback has been robust and humbling,” Robinson said. “I took a hiatus from writing and presenting (those close to me know the reason) for a few seasons, and the exposure to pros outside the music bubble has been gratifying.
“To hear peers tell me they missed my previous contributions through The Robinson Report made my day – even my year!” he continued. “As other media outlets and annual events have cut back and even shuddered their efforts, Barrett Media has quickly emerged as a media force to all of radio!”
He said his goal is to always try to share what programmers and talent can put into action in three minutes or less.
“While I write for adult music formats, the hurdle is providing enough of my personal experience that appeals to all readers, no matter where they are in their growth journey,” he concluded. “I do quite a bit of research to make each column dense with information. I want to get all the details correct. It takes time. Finally, it’s difficult to connect and resonate with readers in all markets – from New York to New Bedford.”
Few know the rock format — whether it’s classic rock, AAA, AOR, or alternative — as well as Mike Stern.
Since joining Barrett Media, Stern shared that it’s always challenging to find “interesting angles on the same topic” week after week.
But the chance to be involved and share his opinions on the format he loves is a welcome occasion.
“The opportunity to be part of a growing platform in the radio industry was really attractive to me,” Stern said of what drew him to Barrett Media. “Plus, it’s been a long time since my work for Radio and Records and Billboard, so the chance to dust off my keyboard and share thoughts about the industry again was exciting.”
Stern added that the most rewarding aspect of writing for Barrett Media has been the both the rekindling of friendships and the introduction to new folks.
“Whether that’s talking to them for the pieces I’m writing or hearing from them after I publish a column, it’s been really great to be in touch with so many people,” he said.
Jim Ryan is a pop/hot AC radio expert, which means he was the perfect columnist candidate for the expansion of Barrett Media’s coverage into music radio.
He noted that he was a “fan long before writing” for the brand, but that the opportunity to “share my thoughts on radio programming philosophies” was too great to pass up.
Ryan said one of the most rewarding aspects of his work is helping introduce new music to the format’s leaders.
“I really enjoy finding music that Programmers should have their ears on,” he said. “I think that music discovery needs to be more of a focus for music radio stations!”
He joked that the most challening part of writing a weekly column for Barrett Media is “trying to be really aware of not repeating myself too much in articles with content, or points that I make.”
John Lund is a Bay Area sports radio legend, working at both 95.7 The Game and KNBR during his illustrious tenure in the market. He’s also spent time in Detroit and Dallas, as well as on ESPN Radio among a bevy of other stops.
He joined Barrett Media earlier this year, and said he’s already seen his profile inside the industry grow by sharing his weekly column.
“Absolutely. Being on a national stage like this, I’ve gotten tons of feedback from industry people and fans alike,” Lund said. “The reaction has been the strived for 50/50, love and hate.”
In his short time writing for the brand, John Lund said he already has a favorite piece he’s written.
“I would say my view on the dust-up between Peter Schrager and Ryan Clark,” he shared. “The piece hit home for me as a long-time talk show host who tried to find the balance between respecting and propping up my former athlete co-host and earning my own respect and viewpoint through years of experience.”
Lund added that he was attracted to the brand due to his relationship with the company’s founder, Jason Barrett.
“I have respected Jason and his style since he was my ‘boss’, and have been incredibly impressed by what he and the entire Barrett Media team have put together and accomplished in the last 10 years.”
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