Warner Bros. Discovery Names Ryan Gould and Bobby Voltaggio as Presidents of U.S. Advertising Sales
Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) has made a significant move in its leadership by naming Ryan Gould and Bobby Voltaggio as the new Presidents of U.S. Advertising Sales. This appointment comes as the company continues to navigate the evolving advertising landscape and adapt to the challenges of the media industry.
About the New Leaders
Ryan Gould and Bobby Voltaggio will jointly lead WBD’s advertising sales efforts. Their responsibilities will encompass network and streaming sales, including sports, news, client partnerships, digital sales, research, marketing, and brand solutions. They will also oversee commercial operations and strategy.
Gould and Voltaggio will be based at WBD’s advertising sales headquarters in Hudson Yards, New York, and will manage a nationwide team with offices in Los Angeles, Atlanta, Chicago, Detroit, Washington, D.C., and Knoxville, Tennessee.
Context of the Leadership Change
WBD’s ad leadership structure has been in a transitional phase since Jon Steinlauf, who previously led the ad sales team, announced his exit in October 2024. Although Steinlauf has remained at the company during the search process, the focus has been on finding the right leadership to lead WBD into the 2025-26 upfront negotiations.
This change is essential for WBD as it aims to reshape its sales strategy in response to the rapidly evolving advertising market and the ongoing decline of linear TV.
Ryan Gould: Expert in Digital and Streaming Sales
Ryan Gould joined WBD in 2012 when Turner Broadcasting acquired Bleacher Report, where he served as director of sales. Throughout his career, he has held various leadership positions at Turner and WarnerMedia. Gould was most recently named Head of Streaming, Digital, and Advanced Advertising Sales and Client Partnerships at WBD in 2023.
As President of U.S. Advertising Sales, Gould will focus on “go to market” sales, ensuring that WBD can effectively reach and engage with potential clients.
Bobby Voltaggio: Veteran in Revenue and Operations
Bobby Voltaggio, who joined Discovery in 2005, has a deep understanding of the advertising business. He started in an ad sales pricing and planning role and was later promoted to Head of Revenue and Operations in 2019. Voltaggio will lead platform monetization as President of U.S. Advertising Sales.
Both Gould and Voltaggio report to Bruce Campbell, the Chief Revenue and Strategy Officer at WBD, who emphasized that Campbell will continue to be involved in the ad sales unit and maintain key relationships with WBD’s strategic partners and clients.
The Pressure of the Top Job
The new Presidents of U.S. Advertising Sales face significant challenges. Since the merger of WarnerMedia and Discovery in 2021, WBD’s stock price has declined by more than 50%. This decline underscores the growing financial scrutiny from Wall Street, especially considering the company’s substantial exposure to linear TV, an industry in long-term decline.
Bruce Campbell acknowledged the difficulty of finding the right candidates for these crucial roles, noting that the company received a strong pool of external applicants. However, the changing nature of the advertising market required a focus on innovation and a fresh approach to servicing clients and agency partners.
Voltaggio and Gould’s Vision for WBD
Gould and Voltaggio are seen as instrumental leaders who have demonstrated a track record of innovation and decisive action since the merger. They will take the existing strong foundation of WBD’s advertising sales unit and implement transformative changes to meet the evolving needs of the market.
Conclusion
The appointment of Ryan Gould and Bobby Voltaggio as Presidents of U.S. Advertising Sales marks a pivotal moment for Warner Bros. Discovery. Their combined expertise and experience will be instrumental in reshaping WBD’s sales strategy and navigating the complexities of the advertising landscape. As the company prepares for the 2025-26 upfront negotiations, these new leaders will play a crucial role in ensuring WBD remains a formidable player in the media industry.
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