Legendary radio executive Marv Dyson, who led Chicago’s WGCI-AM/FM to its status as “No. 1 for hip-hop and R&B,” will speak at Illinois State University on Monday, February 27, at 7 p.m. in the Concert Hall in the Center for the Performing Arts. This event is free and open to the public and is part of Illinois State’s celebration of Black History Month.
“In an industry full of smart but cautious media executives, Marv Dyson blazed trails for the urban contemporary format and made it something to be imitated nationwide. He fought ferociously for his product and clients. Marv Dyson changed the media landscape in Chicago forever,” said Joseph Blaney, associate dean for Research, Facilities, and IT in the College of Arts and Sciences.
Dyson will talk about being president and general manager of WGCI, as well as managing radio stations for Atlas Communications, Johnson Publishing Co., Gannett Inc., Chancellor Media, Evergreen Media, AMFM Radio Inc., and Clear Channel Radio, the world’s largest media company. His professional honors include Illinois Broadcaster of the Year (2007), and a listed name in Radio Inc. magazine’s top 10 list of “The Best Radio General Managers in America from 1999 to 2003.”
Dyson’s speech is sponsored by the Harold K. Sage Foundation and the Illinois State University Foundation Fund in cooperation with the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Fine Arts, the School of Communication, and the student radio station WZND.
