Hearst Television has promoted Joe Fortunato to the newly created role of Vice President of Revenue, expanding his responsibilities across the company’s multiplatform advertising business, the broadcaster announced on Monday.
The appointment is effective immediately. Fortunato will report to Ashley Gold, the Executive Vice President of Hearst Television.
In his new role, Fortunato will help drive overall revenue growth across Hearst Television’s multiplatform portfolio, including broadcast television, streaming video, OTT (over-the-top/streaming) and connected television (CTV), digital video, programmatic, social and branded content.
His responsibilities will include shared oversight of revenue initiatives, key client relationships and multiplatform advertising strategies. Fortunato will also help advance the company’s addressable advertising and AI-powered sales transformation initiatives, Hearst said in an announcement.
Fortunato recently served as Director of National Sales, where his portfolio included linear and digital national ad sales. In that role, he oversaw national revenue generation across platforms, helped set national sales strategy, worked to optimize performance and developed advertising solutions intended to support growth.
He also led strategic development and revenue goals for Hearst Television’s newly established National OTT team.
“Joe has consistently demonstrated exceptional leadership, a deep understanding of our evolving business, and an unwavering commitment to our stations and sales teams,” Michael J. Hayes, President of Hearst Television, said in a statement on MOnday.
Hayes noted Fortunato’s industry knowledge and relationships have helped Hearst Television evolve its advertising business as marketers increasingly look to reach audiences across linear and digital platforms.
“Through his deep knowledge and strong relationships, he has been instrumental in helping our organization evolve to better serve advertisers across every platform,” Hayes said. “He brings a collaborative leadership style, strategic vision, and relentless focus on growth which will continue to position Hearst Television for long-term success.”
Fortunato joined Hearst Television in 2023 as OTT National Sales Manager. In that role, he played a key part in the growth of Hearst Anyscreen, the company’s streaming and digital advertising platform.
He was promoted in 2024 to Manager of National Sales, adding linear advertising to his responsibilities. He was named Director of National Sales in February.
Before joining Hearst Television, Fortunato spent 11 years in national television advertising sales representation, rising from Sales Assistant through several roles before becoming General Sales Manager and Team Leader. In that position, he worked with multiple television station groups, including Hearst.
