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Paramount’s Ad Sales President John Halley to Leave, Will Shift to Advisory Role

The move underscores a reorganization placing Madison Avenue outreach with newly appointed CRO Jay Askinasi.

Overview

  • Halley, a veteran of roughly 18 years, will remain through March before transitioning to an advisory role alongside Askinasi.
  • Paramount named Jay Askinasi chief revenue officer in October, and he began in early November with direct oversight of advertising and client relationships.
  • Executives are refocusing sales on a unified streaming ad infrastructure to better compete with platforms such as Amazon, Google and Netflix.
  • In the most recent quarter, TV revenue fell 12% and TV ad revenue dropped 12%, while direct-to-consumer revenue rose 17%.
  • People familiar with the sales division described the new structure as awkward, even as Halley is credited with ad-tech advances including OpenAP leadership, a VideoAmp deal, Pluto’s ad buildout and an overhauled upfront approach.