CNN International Commercial has appointed Rob Bradley from IDG UK to expand the network’s digital advertising sales and data offering, providing clients worldwide with even greater opportunities around CNN’s premium audience and content.

In the newly created role of Head of Digital Advertising Sales and Data, Bradley will oversee the optimisation of CNN International’s audience, the international roll-out of the company’s programmatic strategy and the implementation of more advanced data-led strategies including the integration of social media. Bradley will also lead a new team of specialists that will work with CNN International’s regional sales heads in developing new digital components for integrated advertising and sponsorship solutions.

“CNN Digital is flying high in terms of audience, editorial product and the solutions we’ve delivered clients to date,” said Rani R. Raad, Chief Commercial Officer, CNN International. “Rob brings to us a unique mix of analytical pure-play digital and data experience combined with a solutions-based approach to complement the bespoke campaigns we deliver to clients all over the world. While multi-platform sales will remain a core part of our digital commercial strategy, it is clear to me that Rob’s expertise and vision can continue to evolve CNN’s leadership in digital with world-class commercial solutions.

Bradley’s appointment comes at an exciting time for CNN Digital following the launch of a new, bold responsive design website, diversification onto new platforms including Snapchat and Apple Watch, and leadership in international media measurement surveys. The most recent Ipsos Affluent Global survey reaffirmed CNN’s leadership in digital as CNN took number one spot ahead of all news and entertainment brands with 14% monthly reach. This compared to National Geographic (11%), BBC (11%), Discovery (9%), Bloomberg (5%), CNBC (5%) and Al Jazeera (3%). He will be joining an already fast-growing digital business which saw double digit growth in its annual revenues, an increase in the number of multi-platform advertising solutions and the recent launch of the Pangaea Alliance. 

“It’s exciting to be joining CNN International as it combines deep investment into both direct integrated marketing solutions and programmatic with unsurpassed global reach into affluent and several key vertical audiences,” said Rob Bradley. “Using the latest technology, the new digital advertising team will advance CNNI’s integrated solutions and ability to offer truly bespoke, data-driven and impactful campaigns targeted to the right audience at scale. Programmatic will be part of the all-important holistic approach for today’s digital media owner – with a premium-end programmatic offering from CNN attracting brands that want intelligent data-driven private marketplaces and high-impact ad units alongside standard units to gain scale. Be it performance, targeted awareness of brand goals executed via programmatic or direct – CNNI will exceed our clients’ expectations.”