Cineverse, a next-generation entertainment studio, has announced key additions to its leadership team as part of its continued efforts to strengthen its advertising sales division. Tim Russell has been appointed Senior Vice President of Direct Advertising Sales, effective immediately, while Terry City has been promoted to Executive Vice President of Direct Advertising Sales. These moves come as Cineverse seeks to accelerate ad sales growth and leverage its 360-degree portfolio of media solutions and offerings for brands.

Tim Russell’s Appointment: A Strategic Move for Cineverse’s Ad Sales Growth

Russell’s Experience and Expertise

Tim Russell brings 30 years of experience to Cineverse, having led high-performing sales teams across various industries. Most recently, he served as Chief Revenue Officer at Sabio Holdings, an ad-tech company, where he played a key role in pivoting the company’s focus to CTV streaming sales and achieving record revenue. His work with Fortune 500 brands and their agencies helped drive significant growth for the company. Prior to Sabio, Russell held senior executive roles at Turner Broadcasting, Comcast, and Tribune, among others, showcasing his versatility and proven ability to lead and scale ad sales operations.

Role at Cineverse

In his new role at Cineverse, Russell will report to Terry City, overseeing the company's direct advertising sales strategy across its expansive media portfolio. His vast industry experience in ad-tech and streaming media will be instrumental in expanding Cineverse’s presence in the digital and CTV advertising space, helping to maximize revenue and forge strategic partnerships with key advertisers.

Terry City’s Promotion: Recognizing Industry Leadership

City’s Proven Leadership

Terry City has been a key figure in Cineverse’s growth, and his promotion to Executive Vice President reflects his continued leadership in driving ad sales success. With over 20 years of experience in sales and partnerships, City has held executive roles at prominent companies including Variety, Yahoo Entertainment, BuzzFeed, Tastemade, and Tumblr. Additionally, City co-founded Steel Titan Entertainment, the production company behind the Emmy Award-winning ESPN: 30 for 30 film Playing for the Mob. His track record in both traditional media and digital platforms, along with his work as a mentor to emerging professionals, positions him to lead Cineverse into its next phase of growth.

Expansion of the Sales Team

Under City’s leadership, Cineverse saw its biggest direct sold ad revenue period to date in the third quarter of fiscal year 2025. With the growth of its Cineverse 360 ad platform, which includes both direct and programmatic sales, the company has experienced a 207% increase in revenue compared to the same period last year, generating $40.7 million in total revenue. The recent additions of Russell, as well as new directors for the Cineverse Podcast Network sales team, highlight the company’s commitment to expanding its ad sales footprint.

Cineverse 360: Fueling Revenue Growth

Success of the Cineverse 360 Ad Platform

The introduction of the Cineverse 360 ad platform has been a game-changer for the company. The platform, which offers a comprehensive range of advertising solutions across digital, CTV, and podcasting, has been a key driver behind Cineverse’s strong revenue performance. As the company continues to refine and expand this platform, the addition of senior leaders like Russell and City will ensure that Cineverse remains at the forefront of advertising innovation.

Podcast Network and New Hires

In addition to its traditional advertising offerings, Cineverse is also investing heavily in the growth of its Cineverse Podcast Network, which is now one of the top 10 podcast networks globally. With more than 35 audio series and over 75 million downloads, the network’s potential for advertising growth is significant. New hires like Laura Schumer and Ben Cabonargi, who are leading the Podcast Sales team, will further strengthen the company’s position in the growing podcast advertising space.

Cineverse’s strategic appointments of Tim Russell and the promotion of Terry City underline the company’s commitment to accelerating its advertising sales growth and solidifying its position as a leader in the media and entertainment industry. With an expanding ad tech portfolio, including the success of Cineverse 360, and a strengthened leadership team, Cineverse is well-positioned to capitalize on emerging opportunities and continue its growth trajectory in the coming years.