Lakin New Brand Manager Of WIP/Philly

• Audacy welcomes Rod Lakin as the new Brand Manager of WIP-FM (SportsRadio 94WIP)/Philadelphia, overseeing content strategy, talent, operations and branding for the station, effective Oct. 4. He succeeds Spike Eskin, who in May was named Vice President of Programming for WFAN/New York and CBS Sports Radio.

“I’m pleased to welcome Rod Lakin to the WIP team and begin the next chapter for our iconic station,” said David Yadgaroff, SVP/Market Manager, Audacy Philadelphia. “Rod brings a breadth of experience and deep understanding of what works in the sports audio format, which I trust will position WIP for much success as the home for Philadelphia sports fans.”

Lakin is inbound from Phoenix, where he has spent nearly two decades in the spoken word format, most recently as Program Director of Bonneville Sports-Talk duo KMVP (Arizona Sports 98.7 FM) and KTAR (ESPN 620 AM).

Lakin joined the former ESPN Radio 860 and Newsradio 620 KTAR in 2003, and was a founding member of Sports 620 KTAR when it launched in 2007, going on to serve in a variety of roles, including Director of the Arizona Diamondbacks Radio Network. In 2014 Lakin was named Executive Producer for Arizona Sports 98.7 FM, the radio flagship of the Arizona Cardinals, Diamondbacks, and the Phoenix Suns. In 2018 Lakin added programming duties for  ESPN 620, and the following year was named PD of Arizona Sports 98.7 FM.

“I have the deepest respect for the iconic WIP brand and what it means to the most passionate fan base in the country,” said Lakin. “To have an opportunity to join the talented team at 94WIP is truly an honor, and I want to thank David Yadgaroff, Jeff Sottolano, Spike Eskin and Audacy for their belief in me.”