Toby Byrne, a veteran of the TV ad-sales game who enjoyed a long run overseeing those efforts at Fox, will take the reins at A+E Networks, succeeding Peter Olsen as president of the company’s ad-sales division, effective in February.
Olsen will retire after 20 years at A+E sales division. Byrne will report to Paul Buccieri, president and chairman of A+E Networks.
Byrne joined A+E Networks as executive vice president of ad sales in January 2024, and in his new role will oversee all ad sales-operations across A+E’s portfolio, including those tied to The History Channel, A&E, Lifetime and their digital counterparts. He will also supervise content partnerships and strategic audience solutions.
“In less than a year, Toby’s impact has already strengthened A+E’s position as a marketplace innovator,” said Buccieri, in a statement. “With his collaborative approach and dedication to impactful partnerships, Toby will continue driving success in our rapidly evolving industry. He brings a strong foundation to build on Peter’s legacy as A+E Networks enters its next phase of growth and excellence.”
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During his time at A+E Networks, Olsen has put a spotlight on new forms of audience measurement, often coming up with new concepts and ideas before larger rivals.
Under his aegis, A+E was among the first media companies to guarantee business outcomes for advertisers, a concept that has gained more traction in recent years as Madison Avenue tries to harness the interactive nature of streaming video.
“Peter has been a brilliant and kind leader who has guided A+E Networks through its most transformative years,” said Buccieri. “He has fostered a culture of innovation that has solidified A+E’s prominence in multiplatform advertising. Along the way Peter has cultivated a best-in-class ad sales team. Peter’s commitment to the industry and his relationships with key partners have set the stage for our continued success.”
Before joining A+E, Byrne was president of ZEFR, a technology company that helps advertisers target and measure audiences on YouTube, Meta and TikTok. At Fox, He helped bring together ad-sales teams devoted specifically to Fox Broadcasting, Fox Sports, FX Networks, and National Geographic Channels, supervising a team of more than 400 staffers. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a minor in History from Georgetown University, where he graduated cum laude.