Toby Byrne, a veteran of the TV ad-sales recreation who loved a long term overseeing these efforts at Fox, will take the reins at A+E Networks, succeeding Peter Olsen as president of the corporate’s ad-sales division, efficient in February.
Olsen will retire after 20 years at A+E gross sales division. Byrne will report back to Paul Buccieri, president and chairman of A+E Networks.
Byrne joined A+E Networks as govt vp of advert gross sales in January 2024, and in his new function will oversee all advert sales-operations throughout A+E’s portfolio, together with these tied to The Historical past Channel, A&E, Lifetime and their digital counterparts. He will even supervise content material partnerships and strategic viewers options.
“In lower than a 12 months, Toby’s influence has already strengthened A+E’s place as a market innovator,” stated Buccieri, in an announcement. “Together with his collaborative strategy and dedication to impactful partnerships, Toby will proceed driving success in our quickly evolving business. He brings a powerful basis to construct on Peter’s legacy as A+E Networks enters its subsequent part of progress and excellence.”
Throughout his time at A+E Networks, Olsen has put a highlight on new types of viewers measurement, typically arising with new ideas and concepts earlier than bigger rivals.
Below his aegis, A+E was among the many first media firms to ensure enterprise outcomes for advertisers, an idea that has gained extra traction lately as Madison Avenue tries to harness the interactive nature of streaming video.
“Peter has been a superb and sort chief who has guided A+E Networks by way of its most transformative years,” stated Buccieri. “He has fostered a tradition of innovation that has solidified A+E’s prominence in multiplatform promoting. Alongside the best way Peter has cultivated a best-in-class advert gross sales workforce. Peter’s dedication to the business and his relationships with key companions have set the stage for our continued success.”
Earlier than becoming a member of A+E, Byrne was president of ZEFR, a expertise firm that helps advertisers goal and measure audiences on YouTube, Meta and TikTok. At Fox, He helped deliver collectively ad-sales groups devoted particularly to Fox Broadcasting, Fox Sports activities, FX Networks, and Nationwide Geographic Channels, supervising a workforce of greater than 400 staffers. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Enterprise Administration with a minor in Historical past from Georgetown College, the place he graduated cum laude.
