One of the executives behind Townsquare Media’s shift toward digital revenue is stepping away. Chief Growth Officer Kelly Quinn is set to depart the “digital-first local media company” after 25 years that began in radio sales in Grand Rapids.
Quinn said in a LinkedIn post, “It feels surreal to even be typing this, but the timing is right to close this chapter.”
He said, “Whatever comes next, I know I’ll continue to be drawn to the things I’ve always loved most: building businesses, developing people, solving problems and helping teams accomplish things they didn’t think were possible. And I’ll always be rooting for Townsquare.”
Quinn began in radio in May 1998 as an Account Executive at WGRD in Grand Rapids, now a Townsquare station and the home of the syndicated Free Beer and Hot Wings morning show. He left in January 2000 for a recruiting role outside radio and returned in September 2001 as a media consultant at Regent Communications in Flint.
Quinn became General Sales Manager of Regent’s Flint stations at the start of 2005 and joined Townsquare through its May 2010 acquisition of Regent. In July 2011, he was promoted to Market President and Regional VP. In September 2013, he became Townsquare’s first corporate VP of Sales, a companywide role.
In December 2021, as digital growth reshaped the company, Quinn moved to Townsquare Ignite as Senior VP of Digital Sales and the Midwest Region. He was promoted to Chief Revenue Officer for Townsquare Ignite in January 2025 and took his current Chief Growth Officer role at the start of this year.
Townsquare Media Chief Operating Officer Erik Hellum confirmed the departure to Radio Ink partner publication RBR+TVBR and said, “Kelly’s career here has been pretty remarkable. He’s had a major impact on our growth, our digital transformation, and especially on the people he’s coached and developed across the company.”
Hellum added, “Kelly plans to take some time away before deciding what’s next, and we’re incredibly grateful for everything he’s contributed over the years.”
