New York, NY - January 03, 2006 - United Stations Radio Networks, Inc.,
(USRN) an independent leader in the creation and marketing of network radio programming, today announced that
James (Jim) Higgins, a 25-year veteran of the radio, music and advertising industries, was appointed President/Chief Operating Officer of United Stations Radio Networks. The announcement comes today from now-Chairman/CEO,
Nicholas J. Verbitsky.
In his newly expanded role, Higgins brings his broad-based ad sales, marketing and management experience into a position that will oversee all existing departments at United Stations as well lead the charge into new business development for the company. Higgins is a seasoned broadcast professional that has been serving for the past four years as EVP/General Manager at United Stations and recently celebrated his 10th anniversary with the company.
Jim Higgins began his career as Director of the Marketing Research Department at RCA Records in New York. From RCA, he moved to the advertising sector where he held positions on the account management side for Grey and Needham. From Madison Avenue, he joined the original United Stations team, founded by Verbitsky and Dick Clark, where he supervised the national sales efforts for the program provider. Higgins continued in senior sales positions after the company became known as Unistar. After Unistar’s merger with Westwood One, Higgins was the driving force behind that network’s reconfiguration into format specific targeted networks. A native of Nutley, New Jersey, Jim Higgins graduated from Montclair State University and earned his MBA from Rutgers University. Currently, he resides in Upper Montclair, New Jersey with his wife, Barbara and their daughter, Jaimie.
In making the announcement,
Nick Verbitsky said “Jim has been one of the main reasons for the success of our business over the years, and this
appointment is well-deserved. We all have tremendous respect for him
personally and professionally, and we look forward to continued growth for United Stations with Jim in his new role.”
Simultaneously, and to make room at the top of USRN for Higgins, company founder and CEO Nick Verbitsky will take on the title of Chairman.
United Stations Radio Networks, Inc., is the nation's largest independently owned and operated radio network. The company currently distributes and produces multiple format specific services to over 4500 rated radio stations across the country including Adult Contemporary, Album Rock, Contemporary Hit, Country, Oldies, Smooth Jazz, Talk and Urban. The New York-based company was founded in 1994 by radio pioneers Dick Clark and Nick Verbitsky.
Contact:
