Discovery Networks International has appointed David Fisher as vice president for digital ad sales, as it gears up to capitalise on its new status as the new ‘Home of the Olympic Games’ in Europe.

Fisher will support the digital transformation already underway at Discovery, building digital partnerships with global brands and working with social media platforms on campaigns from his London base.

Working with the international advertising sales teams based in offices across Europe and Asia, he will focus on leading the development of digitally focused sales solutions, developing new digital partnerships, driving new digital revenue initiatives and gearing up for the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games.

“With a real passion for sport and a deep working knowledge of digital ad sales, I will work to create and deliver campaigns which attract enormous consumer attention and deliver for our clients, along with developing strategic Digital partnerships and trading agreements,” said Fisher.

“Given the ambitious mind-set of the Eurosport and Discovery business, I will work towards solidifying our position as the ‘go to’ partner in terms of delivering the best in sports entertainment.”

Fisher will report to Eurosport and Discovery Networks International senior vice president of advertising partnerships Jonathan Davies.

“Recognised as a leading light within the industry, David’s rare skillset across ad sales, branded content and data, combined with a history of driving revenue within organisations spoke volumes when we were recruiting,” said Davies. “He’s a client and product-centric, strategic operator, I know he will bolster the business in a meaningful way.” 

Fisher joins from Sky, where he spent four years as head of futures, leading digital sales, strategy and programmatic teams responsible for strategy and monetisation of Sky’s non-spot advertising opportunities, in addition to launching advertising on SkyGo.

Prior to this, he spent five years at The Guardian as head of brand partnership.