Fries to Leave RAB

Now two of radio’s top “sales” people are leaving.
We already knew that top industry pitchman Eddie Fritts is leaving NAB. Now his counterpart at RAB, Gary Fries, says he will depart the sales organization after next year.
Fries, who like Fritts has been a public face for a prominent part of the radio industry for many years, has notified the Radio Advertising Bureau’s board that he will fulfill his contract, which expires in December 2006, but not seek renewal. The RAB said in a statement a search committee and succession plan will soon be in place.
RAB Board Chairman and Buckley Broadcasting CEO Joe Bilotta credits Fries with transforming the organization over 14 years and raising its profile. Bilotta also cited Fries’ work towards more accurately determining radio’s effectiveness in the eyes of ad buyers and creating the RAB Radio Training Academy, a sales training and certification program.
Fries came to RAB in 1991 from Unistar Radio Networks, where he was president. He also has been president of Transtar Radio Networks, president/COO of Sunbelt Communications’ Radio Division and VP of ITC Communications and Multimedia Broadcasting.
Fries began his radio career in Lincoln, Neb., where he worked as a part-time salesperson at Stuart Broadcasting’s KFOR(AM) while in college. By age 24, he landed his first management position at KRGI(AM), Grand Island, Neb.