Oahu Publications Inc., parent company of the Honolulu Star-Advertiser, has promoted advertising executives Patrick Klein and Jay Higa to vice presidential positions.

Klein was named vice president of advertising and will oversee the retail, classified and digital advertising sales departments.

Higa was elevated to vice president of business development/regional sales and will manage local and major national accounts including advertising agencies, commercial print, direct mail, and advertising sales departments for OPI’s neighbor island dailies The Garden Island, West Hawaii Today and the Hawaii Tribune-Herald.

“The success of our organization and reach of our diverse collection of award- winning newspapers, magazines and online media products in recent years is due to the talented and dedicated individuals who make up our Oahu Publications ohana,” Dennis Francis, president and publisher of OPI, said Thursday. “Patrick and Jay are outstanding examples of that talent and dedication. They have brought tremendous energy and expertise to our Oahu Publications advertising departments.”

Klein, who has been at OPI since 2005, served as the project lead for the organization’s internal computer systems for advertising, accounting and page layout during the merger of The Honolulu Advertiser and the Honolulu Star-Bulletin. He most recently served as director of advertising.

“Seeing the various stages of Oahu Publications’ development and growth throughout the years, I am certain that this organization will continue to uphold its standard of excellence as the premier news provider for the state of Hawaii,” Klein said.

Higa, who rejoined Oahu Publications in 2009 as director of new business development, has been director of advertising/business development since 2014.

“It has been an honor to work for such an influential news organization and to help Oahu Publications grow throughout the years,” Higa said.

Francis said the promotions of Higa and Klein provide the advertising departments limitless opportunities to drive advertising sales and grow Oahu Publications.

“The hard work and outstanding efforts that these two executives have put forth are a prime example of the high standards and values that our OPI team has upheld throughout the years,” Francis said.

“I am confident that Patrick and Jay will continue to help our business grow as we expand into the new age of media.”