Warner Bros. Discovery has tapped Guy Griggs to lead ad sales for CNN.
Griggs will join the company as senior vp of ad sales and client partnerships later this month, and report to WBD ad sales chiefs Ryan Gould and Bobby Voltaggio, while also working closely with CNN CEO Mark Thompson.
He joins CNN after most recently working as vp of national sales for The New York Times, and before that worked in ad sales at The Washington Post and CNN International.
He joins CNN at a tumultuous time for WBD and the news business writ large, and at a moment of transformation for CNN. WBS announced plans to split itself in two earlier this week, with CNN and other TV brands to be part of a new global networks business led by Gunnar Weidenfels.
Thompson, meanwhile, is attempting to pivot CNN into becoming a digital news brand with multiple revenue streams, a strategic priority given the declines in pay-TV. That will include a new streaming platform and digital subscriptions built around niches and lifestyle content. Griggs will play a role in trying to sell those offerings when they take shape.
CNN indicated that it hopes Griggs can bring new brands to its offerings, either through digital or TV content like CNN Originals.
“Griggs will be focused on enabling more brands to operate in this space, advertising alongside and sponsoring marquee content such as CNN Originals as well as bespoke series, multi-platform franchises and new digital products,” the company said.
