KeyMedia Solutions CEO Korena Keys was recently accepted into the Forbes Agency Council – a highly selective, invitation only organization that promotes top advertising, media, and marketing executives.

Forbes is one of the most iconic media companies in the world today. The company seeks to bring together professionals to share ideas and expertise within their respected industries. Partnering with the Young Entrepreneurs Council (YEC), the two created a new kind of professional community to connect top business leaders with “best-in-class” resources.

While Korena is honored to be accepted into the Council, she also feels that it’s an opportunity to connect to a global community of business leaders.

It is humbling to be invited into an inspiring group of industry leaders. Being asked to share my expertise with this successful group is intimidating and exciting simultaneously.”

As a member of the Forbes Agency Council, Korena will have the opportunity to contribute content to be published on Forbes.com. In addition to this exposure to global readers, the council provides tools that allow members to connect with peers to share expertise, learn from each other, and solve business challenges.

“Forbes Agency Council is an innovative community built to help the world’s most influential advertising, media, and marketing chief executives.”

What it takes to become a member

Invitations to join the council are only extended to individuals that meet Forbes’ highest professional standards. Qualified candidates must work with (or have founded) an organization with a minimum of $1 million annual revenue and/or $1 million in financing.

The Forbes Agency Council also looks for executives whose success in a given industry has been recognized publicly. A candidate must also be involved in the community/community outreach in the area of financial literacy, entrepreneurial educations, technology education, or workforce readiness.

Forbes CEO, Mike Perlis explains that the people involved with creating the Council realized that they had the chance to bring together professionals from different industries to share their unique expertise.

The team behind Forbes Agency Council has a deep understanding of high-touch and highly personalized community management and is uniquely positioned to support the types of individuals who are accepted for membership” Perlis says.

Hard Work & Dedication

Korena founded KeyMedia Solutions in 2011 to assist businesses with a goal of assisting businesses more effectively promote their brand across the ever changing digital landscape. Over the last six years, her leadership and vision has grown KeyMedia Solutions into a 13-person international digital media firm.

The Forbes Agency Council is more than another accomplishment for Korena. Becoming a member is also a testament to the hard work and dedication that’s required to grow in such a demanding industry. Being accepted into the Council, she now has the opportunity to be a part of a community tasked with helping others succeed as well.

Educating and helping business leaders grow their business has always been a personal mission. In fact I’ve frequently been told that I give too much away for free… Not that I’ve ever listened to that opinion. Now I have a global platform that will enable me to give even more.”

With over 25 years of experience in the advertising industry, Korena has also served as the president of the South Dakota Advertising Federation and is on the Board of Directors for The Community Outreach.