• by Wayne Friedman , April 16, 2024

Former Canoe Ventures CEO David Porter has been hired as head of advertising sales research, data, and insights of Warner Bros. Discovery.

This announcement comes on the eve of a crucial upfront advertising marketplace and WBD’s own May 15 upfront programming presentation.

Porter will oversee all strategy and execution including new, and controversial to some analysts, “alternative currencies” that all legacy and new digital TV-video sellers are using or considering.

In addition, he will supervise “advanced analytics, cross-platform measurement and insights, streaming and digital engagement, and data clean rooms.”

Warner Bros. Discovery says Porter’s duties will also include the development of advanced tools and technology, working with brands’ first-party data, optimizing campaigns, and measuring impact for the company’s converged video platform. 

He will report to Jon Steinlauf, chief of U.S. advertising sales for Warner Bros. Discovery.

As CEO of Canoe Ventures, Porter focused efforts around addressable TV advertising -- linear, VOD and streaming video platforms. 

Before Canoe, he was vice president/ad innovation and programmatic solutions at WBD’s Turner networks.

Previously, he held senior executive positions at AOL, Microsoft, Cox Communications and AT&T.