Audacy has announced the appointment of Skip Dillard as Brand Manager for Classic Hip Hop “94.7 The Block” WXBK Newark NJ/New York.
Dillard joins WXBK from Mediaco New York where he spent the past year as Vice President of National and Community Partnerships for Rhythmic CHR “Hot 97” WQHT and Adult R&B 107.5 WBLS. He previously spent 12 years as Vice President of Programming and Operations Manager for WBLS and Gospel 1190 WLIB for Mediaco and predecessor Emmis. Dillard has also programmed 95.5 WPGC Washington DC, KBTB San Francisco, and WBLK Buffalo, served as Operations Manager for Radio One Detroit, and Managing Editor for CHR and Urban for Billboard Airplay Monitor.
Audacy welcomes Skip Dillard as Brand Manager of newly launched 94.7 The Block. In this role, Dillard will oversee the station’s full portfolio of broadcast, digital and live experience assets.
“Skip knows the music, the artists, the community and this city and has a depth of knowledge and relationships that make him the premiere choice to be the building block for this new brand,” said Chris Oliviero, Senior Vice President and Market Manager, Audacy New York. “His arrival solidifies our commitment to making classic hip hop and throwbacks a vibrant sound on the New York dial, and we are excited to welcome him to The Block.”
“I am truly grateful for the opportunity to join the Audacy team here in New York City,” said Dillard. “There’s nothing quite like the chance to build a new, fun and exciting station for the greater NYC area that will be rooted in the community. I am honored to accept the challenge.”
Skip Dillard joins Audacy after serving 12 years as Vice President of Programming and Operations Manager for WBLS and WLIB in New York. For the past year, Dillard served in a new role as Vice President of National and Community Partnerships for Mediaco’s WBLS and WQHT.
Dillard’s career began at Hampton University’s WHOV-FM as a student and volunteering at North Carolina A&T State University’s WNAA-FM. Early in his career, he worked in multiple radio markets as both a talent and programmer, including Detroit, Buffalo, New Orleans, San Francisco and Washington D.C. In addition to radio, Dillard also served as top 40 and urban managing editor for Billboard Magazine’s “Airplay Monitor” from 2003 to 2004. He has received numerous honors including “Radio Ink’s Top Program Directors in America” in 2009, 2011 and 2012, a Certificate of Merit for Community Service – U.S. Congress in 2002, the Living Legend’s Foundation honor in 2011 and a Proclamation of Service to New York State and New York City Hall in 2017. He is a member of the Executive Board of the Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce, a northeast board member for Operation Hope and was recently reappointed to his second two-year term to serve on the FCC’s “Communications Equity and Diversity Council.”