Turner executive Rani Raad has been appointed the vice president & chief commercial officer of CNN International. Raad will be responsible for the commercial strategy and vision of CNN International and will oversee its advertising sales, content sales, business development, international research and marketing activities. Additionally, Raad will keep his current responsibilities, managing Turner Broadcastings […]
Turner executive Rani Raad has been appointed the vice president & chief commercial officer of CNN International.
Raad will be responsible for the commercial strategy and vision of CNN International and will oversee its advertising sales, content sales, business development, international research and marketing activities. Additionally, Raad will keep his current responsibilities, managing Turner Broadcastings operations in Turkey, the Middle East and Africa.
This appointment follows a decision to directly align all of CNNs international commercial activity into one organisation, the CNNI Commercial.
Gerhard Zeiler, President Turner Broadcasting System International, said: We are simplifying the organisation and establishing clear responsibilities. Rani is the logical choice for this ambitious challenge due to his track record leading CNNs global commercial initiatives and his vast international network.
Rani Raad said: Aligning the commercial streams for the worlds leading international news brand will help us deliver best-in-class solutions for our partners across all the diverse platforms where CNN has become a valued and ubiquitous presence.
Raad is currently senior vice president & managing director for CNN International Ad Sales, and senior vice president Turkey, Middle East and Africa. In this dual remit he manages the overall CNNI Ad Sales business, overseeing strong and consistent revenue growth against innovative bespoke client solutions in both established and emerging markets; and also oversees Turners portfolio of news, entertainment and kids channels across Turkey, the Middle East and Africa.
Raad, a 15-year veteran of Turner Broadcasting, started his career with the company in New York City and within five years was promoted to vice president for regional advertising sales in the Middle East, Africa and Southern Europe, at CNN International’s London headquarters, which remains his base of operations. After substantially growing revenues from those markets, Raad was promoted to senior vice president and tasked with a global remit. In 2011, he also took on management of Turner’s General Entertainment portfolio across the Middle East, Africa and Turkey. In 2011, the World Economic Forum recognised Raad as a Young Global Leader, for his professional and personal contributions to his industry.
