Keith Kazerman has joined Discovery Communications as head of advertising sales product strategy and development, joining the programmer from DirecTV. He will be responsible for developing and executing Discovery’s strategy for data and advanced advertising products across all U.S. platforms, the company said, and will also oversee Discovery Engage, "a new group within advertising sales that will deliver a portfolio of innovative data products for clients to enhance the effectiveness and accountability of their advertising."  He also will lead the development of digital and linear sales automation systems and strategies, reporting to Simon Robinson, chief oerating oficer, advertising sales.    

Kazerman joins Discovery from DirecTV where he was senior vice president, national advertising sales. He oversaw the company’s national sales organization of 120 executives who were responsible for selling more than 100 cable networks, sports sponsorships, and digital cross-platform packages and led the launch and successful implementation of the satellite-TV provider's addressable advertising product. DirecTV was acquired by AT&T and DirecTV's ad sales organization was merged into AT&T Ad Works. Earlier he was at Marathon Ventures and The Hallmark Channel, and began his career in media planning roles at TN Media and Bates North America.