Realson Joins the Network from CNN’s Digital Ad Sales Group
NEW YORK – May 22, 2018 — FOX News Channel (FNC) has appointed Dan Realson as vice president of digital ad sales, announced Marianne Gambelli, president of ad sales for FOX News and FOX Business Network. Most recently vice president of digital strategy and sales at CNN, Realson started his new position this week, reporting to Gambelli.
In making the announcement, Gambelli said, “With more than 22 years of experience in digital sales, along with an excellent reputation in the industry for his innovation and strategic marketing, Dan is the perfect candidate to help enhance our digital product. We look forward to welcoming him to the team.”
Realson added, “FOX News is the most powerful brand in the industry and I am truly excited to join Marianne and her team, helping design and implement innovative sales strategies across the network’s digital platforms.”
While at CNN, Realson oversaw the digital ad sales strategy for CNN.com and CNN Money, as well as managed substantial revenue for CNN digital. He was also instrumental in creating a new sales structure which led to maximized coverage and revenue for the network’s websites and digital products.
From 2014 to 2017, Realson served as vice president of corporate and category digital sales for TIME Inc., handling digital sales strategy for brands like People and Entertainment Weekly. There he managed a national team of 50, overseeing the ad products, video, mobile, planning, and account management units. He also handled the top 300 accounts in addition to all multi-site portfolio and video sales. During his tenure, he helped develop an agency/portfolio strategy that grew corporate digital revenue from $20mm to $48mm. Additionally, he helped develop a video to go market sales strategy and negotiated upfront deals with agency partners that increased video revenue from $4mm to $50mm within 2 ½ years.
Prior to TIME, Realson served as director of sales for NBC Digital, managing $26mm in business spanning Bravotv.com, SyFy.com and Oxygen.com. He was an instrumental member of the executive team that developed upfront sales strategy for online video, negotiating with major agencies to secure upfront digital video deals. He also oversaw the sales for the relaunch of CNBC.com following the close of the network’s partnership with MSN Money.
He got his start in the news industry at Bloomberg LP, rising to team leader and director of sales for Bloomberg.com. Throughout his nine-year tenure, Realson identified seven areas of the company’s digital platform for a major redesign, driving page views from 80 million to 350 million monthly, and ushering a revenue increase from $4 million to over $15 million. He was also responsible for enhancing the company’s partnerships across a diverse audience, including negotiating deals with Fast Company and numerous sports teams, including the New York Nets, New York Rangers and Florida Panthers.
A graduate of the State University of New York Oneonta with a Bachelor of Science degree in business economics, Realson is a board member of IAB Executive Education Committee. He is also IAB certified in digital ad sales.
FOX News Channel (FNC) is a 24-hour all-encompassing news service dedicated to delivering breaking news as well as political and business news. The number one network in cable, FNC has been the most watched television news channel for 16 years and according to a Gallup/Knight Foundation Survey, is the most objective information source in the country. Owned by 21st Century Fox, FNC is available in 90 million homes and dominates the cable news landscape, routinely notching the top ten programs in the genre.
