New York — Adding agency veteran Peter Olsen, A&E Television Networks has created three new ad-sales teams.
Olsen, who joins AETN as senior vice president of ad sales from MediaCom, where he most recently served as executive vice president and director of national broadcast, will lead the sales efforts for A&E Network and The Biography Channel.
AETN veteran Brian Granath, as vice president, ad sales, will oversee the team pitching The History Channel, History International and The History Channel en Español.
Robert Edney, as AETN vice president of sales strategy and development, will spearhead new business development and new media efforts, including interactive, online sales and video on demand, across all AETN brands.
Additionally, Michael Peretz has been named vice president of AETN’s integrated ad sales and strategic partnerships group, reporting to senior vice president Melinda McLaughlin.
Commenting on the new structure and appointments, AETN executive vice president, ad sales Mel Berning said in a statement: “I am delighted Peter has joined our team. His years of experience and relationships throughout the industry will help us capitalize on all the ratings success A&E Network has had this past year.
“We are also excited about the prospects of having sales teams focused on the specific brands that make up AETN,” Berning continued. “Brian Granath, who was instrumental in making The History Channel a huge success with advertisers was a natural choice to head up The History Channel team. Rob’s overall experience and leadership makes him the perfect person to helm our new business-development and new-media sales team.”
