Derrick Brown, a 1985 graduate of Joliet West High School, is the Vice President of Programming at iHeartMedia Chicago. He also serves as the Program Director for R&B V103 (WVAZ-FM), Hip-Hop 107-5 WGCI, and BIN 640AM (Black Information Network, WMFN-AM). With a 39-year career in broadcast media, Derrick has led stations to numerous ratings wins and received several industry awards.

Derrick has spent 24 years at iHeartMedia Chicago and its predecessor companies. His career has taken him across the country, where he has programmed radio stations in Miami, Denver, and Washington, DC, for COX Media Group, CBS Radio, and Radio One. In his current role at iHeartMedia, he works with R&B and Throwback stations in major markets such as Philadelphia, Detroit, Tampa, Raleigh, Memphis, New Orleans, and Jacksonville.

Derrick’s leadership at V103 has led to an incredible 72 ratings wins, making it the #1 station in the Chicagoland radio market. His accomplishments have earned him numerous accolades, including:

•    Radio & Records Magazine Program Director of the Year (2002)
•    Radio Ink Magazine’s Best Program Directors in America (2013, 2017, 2018, 2021)
•    Music Business Empowerment Conference Program Director of the Year (2021)
•    #9 in Barrett Media’s 2024 Top 20 Urban/Hip-Hop Program Directors in America

Career Highlights:

•    39-year career in broadcast media
•    Programmed radio stations in Miami, Denver, and Washington, DC
•    Led V103 to 72 ratings wins as the #1 station in the Chicagoland radio market

Advice for Students: "Don't be afraid to dream.  My journey was envisioning what I wanted to do, how to go about it, and identifying mentors who believed in me, my skills, and my potential.  Great mentors are invaluable because of their wisdom and expertise.  They were excellent with sharing pitfalls, opportunities, and areas I needed to improve.  I am eternally grateful to them."

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