Warner Bros. Finding appoints New U.S. Advertising Leaders
Table of Contents
- 1. Warner Bros. Finding appoints New U.S. Advertising Leaders
- 2. Leadership Backgrounds
- 3. Challenges and Opportunities
- 4. What specific strategies will you be implementing to address these challenges and capitalize on these opportunities?
- 5. Warner Bros. FindingS New U.S. Advertising Leaders: A Conversation wiht Ryan Gould and Robert Voltaggio
- 6. Interview with Ryan Gould and Robert Voltaggio
Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) has named Ryan Gould and Robert “Bobby” Voltaggio as Presidents of U.S. Advertising Sales. In their new roles,they will jointly oversee all advertising sales efforts for the company’s networks and streaming platforms,encompassing sports,news,client partnerships,digital sales,research,marketing and brand solutions,commercial operations,and strategy.
This appointment comes after a period of transition within WBD’s advertising leadership structure following the exit of Jon Steinlauf last October. Steinlauf,a veteran ad sales executive,had held the top sales position as the merger of WarnerMedia and Discovery in 2022. While he remained at the company during the search process, the plan was always to establish a new leadership structure in time for the 2025-26 upfront negotiations.
“We had a very strong pool of external applicants for this role,” said bruce Campbell, Chief Revenue and Strategy Officer at WBD, in the official announcement. ”But given the rapidly evolving advertising market, we also recognized the need to fundamentally change how we service our clients and agency partners. Ryan and Bobby have been instrumental leaders in driving our business sence the merger, and are innovative, decisive, and team-oriented in all that they do. They will take our existing, strong foundation and reshape our overall sales strategy. Thes changes will be transformative to our business.”
gould and voltaggio will be based at WBD’s advertising sales headquarters in New York City’s Hudson yards and will lead the nationwide team, including offices in Los Angeles, Atlanta, Chicago, Detroit, Washington, D.C., and Knoxville, Tennessee. Gould will focus on “go-to-market” sales, while Voltaggio will lead platform monetization. Both will report to Campbell, who will continue to be involved in the ad sales unit and maintain key relationships with strategic partners and clients.
Leadership Backgrounds
Gould joined WBD in 2012 when Turner Broadcasting acquired Bleacher Report, where he served as director of sales. He has held several leadership positions at Turner and WarnerMedia and was named Head of Streaming, Digital, and Advanced Advertising Sales and Client Partnerships at WBD in 2023.
Voltaggio’s journey with WBD began in 2005 when he joined Discovery in an ad sales pricing and planning role. He was promoted to Head of Revenue and Operations in 2019 and held this position until his recent promotion.
Challenges and Opportunities
The new leadership team faces critically important challenges, with WBD’s stock price down over 50% as the WarnerMedia and Discovery merger. Wall Street scrutiny is intensifying, particularly given the company’s exposure to linear television, which is experiencing a decline.
Tho, the appointment of Gould and Voltaggio signals a strategic shift towards innovation and transformation in the advertising landscape. their experience and leadership will be crucial in navigating these challenges and capitalizing on opportunities in the evolving media surroundings.
With WBD’s upfront presentation scheduled for May 14th at the Theater at Madison Square Garden,all eyes will be on the new leadership team as they unveil their vision for the future of advertising at the company.
What specific strategies will you be implementing to address these challenges and capitalize on these opportunities?
Warner Bros. FindingS New U.S. Advertising Leaders: A Conversation wiht Ryan Gould and Robert Voltaggio
Interview with Ryan Gould and Robert Voltaggio
Following a period of transition, Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) has named Ryan Gould and Robert “Bobby” Voltaggio as Co-presidents of U.S. Advertising Sales. The dynamic duo,both veterans of the WBD team,will now jointly oversee all advertising sales efforts for the company’s expansive network and streaming portfolio.
We sat down with Gould and Voltaggio to discuss their new roles, the challenges facing the advertising landscape, and their vision for the future of WBD advertising.
Archyde: Congratulations on your new appointments, Ryan and Bobby. What initially drew you to lead WBD’s advertising sales efforts?
Ryan Gould: Thanks! I’ve been deeply passionate about the evolution of advertising within our industry,particularly the convergence of linear and digital. WBD is at the forefront of this conversion, with its amazing portfolio of networks, streaming platforms, and diverse content. It’s an incredibly exciting prospect to be part of shaping the future of advertising at such a pivotal moment.
Robert Voltaggio: I echo Ryan’s sentiments. I’ve been with WBD for nearly two decades, witnessing firsthand the power of our brands and the dynamic nature of the advertising landscape. It’s a privilege to lead this crucial aspect of the business and leverage our collective expertise to create impactful partnerships with our clients.
Archyde:
the advertising industry is constantly evolving, with the rise of streaming, cord-cutting, and data-driven targeting. What are some of the biggest challenges and opportunities you foresee in this new era?
Ryan Gould:
One of the biggest challenges is ensuring that we are delivering relevant and impactful advertising experiences across all platforms. Consumers are increasingly fragmented across various screens, so it’s essential that we have a holistic and agile approach to reach them effectively. The opportunity lies in leveraging data and technology to create personalized and engaging experiences that resonate with audiences.
Robert Voltaggio:
Absolutely.
Measurement and accountability are also crucial in this evolving landscape. We need to demonstrate the value of our advertising solutions to our clients through obvious and robust metrics. At the same time, there’s a growing demand for brand-safe and authentic advertising. We need to ensure that our partners’ messages are delivered in environments that align with their values and resonate with their target audiences.
Archyde: What specific strategies will you be implementing to address these challenges and capitalize on these opportunities?
Ryan Gould:
Collaboration is key. We’ll be fostering closer relationships with our agency partners, understanding their needs, and developing innovative solutions together. we’re also investing heavily in technology and data analytics to enhance our targeting capabilities and measurement tools. By creating a more robust and data-driven approach, we can ensure that our advertising campaigns are highly effective and deliver tangible results for our clients.
robert Voltaggio:
Adding to that, we’re committed to prioritizing innovation and exploring new advertising formats and platforms. We’ll be leveraging the strengths of our network, streaming, and digital assets to create immersive and engaging experiences that capture audience attention and drive results. We’re in a constant state of experimentation and evolution to stay ahead of the curve.
Archyde: What are your key priorities for the next year?
Ryan Gould:
Our immediate focus is on strengthening our client partnerships, fostering a culture of innovation, and ensuring we’re equipped to navigate the ever-changing advertising landscape. We also want to further integrate our sales strategies across our linear and streaming platforms, creating a seamless experience for our clients and maximizing the reach of their campaigns.
Robert Voltaggio:
Building upon what Ryan said, we’re also dedicated to developing new and innovative advertising solutions that deliver tangible value to our clients. We want to be at the forefront of providing cutting-edge tools and technologies that help brands achieve their marketing goals in this evolving surroundings.
Archyde: With Google and other tech giants increasingly influencing the advertising space, how will WBD position itself for the future?
Ryan Gould:
we have a unique competitive advantage. We own the content. We certainly no how to tell compelling stories and connect with audiences on an emotional level. That’s something that’s incredibly valuable in this increasingly fragmented media landscape. Our challenge is to leverage that content in innovative ways, create compelling advertising experiences, and continue to be at the forefront of audience engagemen.
Robert voltaggio:
We see collaboration as key to success in the future. We’re committed to working with tech partners and embracing new technologies, but we’re also confident in our ability to stand out by delivering high-quality content and leveraging the power of our brands.
We look forward to seeing how Gould and Voltaggio navigate the complexities of the advertising landscape and shape the future of WBD.
