Rani R. Raad has been appointed to the new role of President, CNN International Commercial.
In this role, Raad will continue to be responsible for CNN’s commercial functions outside the U.S. In addition, the development of Turner International’s programmatic trading strategy will be facilitated under his leadership.
Previously as Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer, CNN International, Raad has led the CNN International Commercial group since it was created in 2013 to directly align all of CNN’s international commercial activity into one organisation. This activity spans core business activities such as advertising sales, content sales and partnerships, business development, marketing and research.
Gerhard Zeiler, President, Turner International said: “Rani has a remarkable track record in leading a diverse portfolio of commercial initiatives across international markets. He has built a new digital team that is the authority in this space and has transformed the commercial operation for CNN internationally, bringing in a new leadership team to deliver best-in-class and award-winning ad sales solutions as well as re-setting the licensing and content sales businesses to yield a suite of new branded initiatives around the globe.”
Rani Raad said: “I’m excited and passionate about the role that CNN continues to play in today’s fast-changing news and media landscape. As the world’s news leader, our commitment to innovation underpins our commercial activities as well as the brand’s editorial output. I look forward to being part of this change as we bring to market even more sophisticated, data-driven and creative solutions for our wide range of commercial partners.”
Raad previously held the position of Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer, CNN International, and prior to that was Senior Vice President and Managing Director for CNN International Ad Sales. He will continue to have responsibility over Turner’s Kids and General Entertainment businesses across Turkey and the Middle East.
Raad began his career with CNN in New York and is now based in London. In 2013, Raad was listed at number 71 in the Arabian Business Power 500 list of the world’s most influential Arabs, and in 2015 Raad was named by Arabian Business as the 13th most powerful Arab under 40. In 2011, the World Economic Forum recognised Raad as a Young Global Leader, for his contributions to the media industry. In 2015, Raad was named as one of Syracuse University’s S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications’ 50 Forward – 50 alumni selected from Newhouse School’s 50-year history for their achievements in the media sector.
Raad graduated with a B.S. from The S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University in New York.