Key Networks Expands Leadership at Audio Ad Sales Division

RADIO ONLINE | Tuesday, September 17, 2019

Jim Higgins and Rich Baum

Radio syndication company Key Networks will now offer network audio advertising sales to producers and service/program providers. Leading the new team will be executive Jim Higgins in the position of President and Chief Operating Officer. Ad sales veteran Rich Baum has been appointed as Executive Vice President, Advertising Sales. Higgins will be based in New York City and Baum will be based in Chicago.

Higgins was previously President & COO for United Stations Radio Networks for the last 15 years and EVP & General Manager for United Stations Radio Networks for 21 years prior. He also served as an Account Supervisor at Grey Advertising and ran Market Research for RCA Records.

Baum formerly served as EVP, Sales at United Stations Radio Networks for 13 years and was SVP at United Stations Radio Networks for 11 years prior. He was also Manager, Southwest Network Sales and Sr. Account Executive, Midwest Regional for Westwood One in Chicago and Dallas and was an Account Executive for Unistar Radio Networks.

Key Networks, based in Orlando, FL, and New York, NY, was launched last year by its affiliated company Sun & Fun Media with the appointment of Chief Revenue Officer, high-profile network radio executive Dennis Green. This spring, the company launched its first nationally syndicated radio program, The O'Reilly Update, starring bestselling author and former #1 cable news personality Bill O'Reilly. The O'Reilly Update is now heard on 165 radio stations in markets across the U.S.

Rob Koblasz, Chief Executive Officer, Key Networks and Sun & Fun Media, said, "We are excited to now be a full-service network company for our existing as well as new clients, with the addition of advertising sales capabilities and an experienced and knowledgeable senior executive team, led by Jim Higgins as President and COO of Key Networks and Rich Baum as EVP, Advertising Sales."

Koblasz added, "Our goal when we started Key Networks was to be best-in-class, from the talent we represent, the producers we work with and the professionals on our team. Both Jim and Rich fit that description perfectly. Their contacts in the ad sales and marketing world run deep and they are highly respected in the industry. We couldn't be more pleased to welcome Jim and Rich to help build Key Networks into a successful full-service network audio company."

"I'm thrilled to be teaming up with a very entrepreneurial network group, including Dennis, Rich and Rob to drive Key Networks forward," said Higgins. "My strength is in delivering results for marketing partners while also building relationships that keep me engaged and involved in their business growth and development. Collectively, we intend to be a big part of Audio's renaissance with renewed interest from a growing number of advertisers and brands who know that radio gets results. Stay tuned! "

Baum added, "I am very excited to join Rob, Dennis, Jim and the whole Key Networks team as we look to build a best-in-class, full service Network Audio company. This collaboration could not happen at a better time as advertiser interest in strong audio platforms has seen a significant resurgence over the last few years."