(646) 829-4400
sconnolly@nypublicradio.org
Shannon Connolly leads WQXR, where her focus is expanding the digital reach and footprint for classical music. She also advances digital music strategy and audience development across WQXR and WNYC’s digital music offerings, which include a roster of music-focused podcasts and music streams, including WQXR’s live webstream, NewSounds.org (new music and contemporary classical), American Standards, and the critically-acclaimed podcast, Aria Code.
Connolly brings over two decades of digital music experience to NYPR, including product management, ad sales, and business development. As Senior Vice President, Music Strategy & Operations for the Viacom Music Group, she built and managed a cross-functional team responsible for growing digital reach and revenue for the world’s largest music channels (MTV, CMT), shows (Unplugged, Crossroads), and live events (Video Music Awards). As Vice President, Digital Music, her team helped put the “M” back in MTV by launching mobile apps, original programming, and strategic partnerships that doubled MTV’s music traffic in one year.
Connolly was also the co-founder and General Manager of Ripcord, Viacom’s first creative studio and digital lab, whose goal was to make hits on new platforms for a global youth audience. She also founded her own company, The Yams, a chat-based recommendation service. She began her career as a consultant in the Media and Entertainment practice at Accenture.
Connolly was one of Billboard’s “40 Under 40” Music’s Young Power Players in 2014, and Billboard’s Top 40 Women in Music in 2011. She won a Webby Award in July 2012 for co-creating and producing the world’s first 24-hour, live music awards show.
