Variety: Warner Bros. Discovery Hires Canoe Ventures CEO David Porter as Head of Ad Sales Research

Story from Variety:

David Porter, an ad industry veteran and former Turner exec, is joining Warner Bros. Discovery as head of ad sales research, data and insights.

Porter reports to Jon Steinlauf, Warner Bros. Discovery’s chief of U.S. advertising sales, and will split his time between Warner Bros. Discovery’s New York City and Atlanta offices. The announcement of Porter’s hiring comes a month ahead of the sale org’s May 15 Upfront presentation in New York City. Porter replaces Andrea Zapata, who exited Warner Bros. Discovery at the end of 2023 and is now T-Mobile’s VP of advertising data, measurement and partnerships.

Porter most recently served as CEO of Canoe Ventures, the advanced advertising joint venture owned by Charter, Comcast and Cox, where he led addressable TV advertising across linear, VOD and streaming video platforms for partners.

Prior to joining Canoe in 2020, Porter was VP of ad innovation and programmatic solutions at Turner, which is now part of Warner Bros. Discovery. Additionally, Porter worked at AOL as global video monetization lead and at Microsoft as global sales strategy lead for video. Before that he spent 10 years at Cox Communications where he served as VP of new media, developing new ad capabilities within the cable footprint.

At Warner Bros. Discovery, Porter will oversee ad sales research and data functions across the company’s portfolio of streaming, digital and linear platforms. He will lead overall strategy and execution for alternative currencies, advanced analytics, cross-platform measurement and insights, streaming and digital engagement, and data clean rooms. Additionally, Porter is tasked with the development of advanced tools and technology to let advertisers maximize their first-party data, optimize campaigns and measure impact across the Warner Bros. Discovery converged video platform.

“We take a data-driven approach to develop impactful partnership opportunities across the portfolio, and David’s work is essential to that offering,” Steinlauf said in announcing Porter’s hire. “David has invaluable experience that will play a key role in continuing to deliver best-in-class client services and consumer experiences.”

Porter commented, “I am excited to be starting this new role at Warner Bros. Discovery, working with colleagues and familiar faces who have been there with me through the growth of advanced advertising in the media industry. The timing could not be better as the Upfront approaches, and I can’t wait to roll up my sleeves and get to work with the team.”