Jon Steinlauf had a bit of a challenge waiting for him when he took the reins as head of Discovery Inc.'s U.S. ad sales: Figure out a sales strategy that could efficiently present and manage the company's new portfolio of 17 networks. That strategy, and the structure to support it, is now in place. For Upfront negotiations, Discovery rolled out its Premiere product, which allows advertisers to purchase time in the first position in commercial breaks in new episodes of hit shows. Advertisers have taken a shine to the idea, Steinlauf recently told MediaVillage. "The best news for all of the TV ad sales industry was that this was the third straight high single-digit change in the Upfront market in cable," Steinlauf said. "Three years in a row the demand has been stable and steady amidst all the noise and all of the headwinds."
Discovery Ad Sales Chief Jon Steinlauf On the Secret to Managing 17 Networks
