Turner Broadcasting System said Tuesday that long-time executive Coleman Breland has been named president of Turner Networks Sales. Breland will report to TBS president David Levy.
Breland will continue to oversee TNS, the domestic distribution, sales and marketing arm of Turner. In this role, he oversees all affiliate sales, marketing promotion, interactive television and new technology business development for Turner's 10 domestic leading entertainment, news, kids and young adult networks including TNT, TBS, CNN, HLN, truTV, TCM, Cartoon Network and Adult Swim. Previously, Breland was the COO of TNS, a role he assumed in 2009 after serving as executive vp of sales and marketing of the distribution unit since 2003. In 1999, Breland joined the division as senior vice president of marketing and sales.
“Coleman is an outstanding and strategic executive who has strong relationships across the media and distribution landscape,” Levy said in a statement. "He has a long track record of innovation and execution in generating new revenue opportunities for our leading portfolio of brands, which continually elevates our distribution business. With consumption patterns continuing to evolve and more distribution platforms emerging, his deep understanding of the media landscape and the opportunity that exists is an even greater asset as we continue to collaborate with our distribution partners to create opportunities and platforms that supports the consumers desire to access content across multiple screens.”
In addition, Turner said it has promoted Richard Warren to executive vice president of negotiations & strategy and associate general counsel and Jennifer Mirgorod has been elevated to executive vice president of brand distribution, both reporting to Breland. Warren is responsible for overseeing Turner's distribution deals for its domestic cable television networks and platforms, as well as managing the strategic planning, operations and distribution technology groups within TNS. In addition to leading the company’s efforts in structuring and negotiating Turner’s linear and digital content agreements with its distribution partners, he will also maintain oversight of the TNS legal and business affairs team.
Mirgorod's expanded role will include adding oversight of the affiliate marketing department as well as Turner Private Networks to her responsibilities, while continuing to lead the account management team in developing strategic content distribution and marketing initiatives for Turner's networks serving distribution partners in the U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Under Mirgorod’s leadership, her team is responsible for deal renewal strategy for TNS, as well as expanding linear content distribution opportunities and developing new business models between Turner and the North American multichannel video providers.
"Rich and Jennifer are tremendous leaders - they possess a powerful combination of strategic thinking, strong negotiation skills and creativity that allows them to shine in their roles," Breland said in a statement. "Their extensive experience, industry relationships, and outstanding leadership capabilities allow for the continued growth of our business while driving forward the value of our portfolio."
