As Audacy plots its new direction, the company is making a change at the top of its Hip-Hop and R&B stations. Urban Format Vice President Reggie Rouse is stepping back from his role as Skip Dillard becomes Adult R&B and Throwback Format VP and Mike Street rises to Mainstream Hip-Hop and R&B Format Vice President.
Rouse will remain with Audacy, continuing as V-103 (WVEE) Brand Manager in Atlanta. Both Dillard and Street will also maintain their roles as Brand Managers for their respective stations, with Dillard at 94.7 The Block (WXBK) in New York and Street at 106.5 The Beat (WBTJ) in Richmond.
Dillard had been Format Vice President of Audacy’s Rhythmic Adult Contemporary and Throwback signals. He joined Audacy in 2021 after a 12 years at Mediaco New York’s WBLS and WLIB where he was VP of National and Community Partnerships. Before NYC, he held various positions at stations in Detroit, San Francisco, New Orleans, Washington DC, and Buffalo. He is a three time honoree of Radio Ink’s Top Program Directors in America awards and has served on the FCC’s Communications Equity and Diversity Council.
Street started his three-decade career at the University of Richmond’s WDCE. He played pivotal roles in the launch and success of Urban One Richmond’s WCDX before moving to Audacy. Street has been honored with the Marconi Award for Medium Market Personality of the Year and oversees multiple stations, including Hot 105.7 (WXSS-HD2) in Milwaukee.
Audacy SVP of Programming Dave Richards said, “There are few leaders more dedicated to the craft of radio and more giving than Reggie, and I’d like to extend a major thanks to him for all the work he’s done with our Urban brands over the years. We’re excited to unite our collection of Rhythmic AC, Throwback, Urban and Urban AC brands under one vertical under the leadership of Skip and Mike. Together, they’ll collaborate to share a strategic programming vision that will best serve our listeners and partners.”
Sorry for any misspells in my first comments. I need my eyeglasses.
I am a third generation dedicated radio listener. I have influenced my own daughters to radioing online and/or traditionally. I love radio.
As a virtual educator and small business owner I enjoy and watch television maybe two days per week.
I mostly listen to sports and informative talk radio. I now plan to add more old school R&B and Hip Hop music radioing. Why??? because increasingly talk radio’s content dummies down its listeners ie WVON 1690 AM Chicago, is laden with silly, nonsensical content ie WGN 720 AM Chicago, is too liberal ie NPR across many markets, is too racially divisive WOOD 1300 AM Grand Rapids..the list goes on since I reside between two states, travel a lot and faithfully seek radio stations everywhere I land.
With the inclusion of the Black Information Network on Urban radio I am even more dusgusted with news targeted at black audiences. For instance it is perfunctory for BIN’s content to include stories about “black” people who historically show disdain, devalue and disrespect for the black community. A glaring example is the recent coverage about Tiger Woods’ children caddying for and partnering with him at some golf event. WT??? Why would BIN cover any story about Woods who was and is oblivious to black people including to black audiences vulnerable to the garbage of BIN? Another example is extensive, ongoing coverage and free publicity for Trump and his woes while not dedicating equal coverage to the current administration and its many woes ( or wins). Adnaseum talk about Trump, Trump, Trump!
My hope is in their new Audacy roles Misters Dillard and Street apply better critical thinking skills and provide its mostly urban listeners with good music, intelligent talk and solid advertisements. Maybe then I can steer my young mentees to Audacy listening, and most importantly, patronage of Audacy’s sponsors.