CNN Worldwide appoints Rani Raad as President CNN Commercial

CNN Worldwide has appointed Rani Raad as President, CNN Commercial, in a new global position to broaden the company’s new business streams and increase the value that CNN provides to commercial partners around the world. By centralising the management and strategy of its commercial activity in one operation, CNN is creating a more integrated, agile and global approach to the way it assesses market needs, develops solutions and works with partners.

To achieve this and ensure that CNN is best positioned to continue its commercial success into the decade, Raad will work closely with WarnerMedia Sales and International on its CNN advertising and distribution activity, lead international business through CNN International Commercial, optimise CNN Worldwide’s directly controlled revenue operations and maximise the commercial potential of development of new products.

Effective immediately, Raad reports directly to Jeff Zucker, Chairman, WarnerMedia News and Sports and President, CNN Worldwide. Raad, a CNN veteran of 22 years, started his career at the company in New York before holding a number of senior international roles with CNN and WarnerMedia.

In 2013, Raad combined all business operations of CNN’s properties outside of the United States within the division CNN International Commercial, including advertising, sponsorship, Content Sales and Licensing, Out of Home, marketing and Audiences and Data. Since then, as President of CNNIC Raad has developed the business by introducing a cross-platform and data-led strategy with increased digital capabilities, tailored for a wide range of client and market needs across over 200 countries and territories.