TelevisaUnivision Appoints Media Veteran Mike Law as EVP, Brand Partnerships

by : Ta-Nehisi Coates

TelevisaUnivision, the prominent Spanish-language media corporation, has strategically brought in Mike Law, a distinguished figure in media buying, to assume the role of Executive Vice President of Brand Partnerships. This move underscores the company's commitment to enhancing its advertising revenue and expanding its market footprint. Law's extensive background in the media industry positions him to significantly contribute to TelevisaUnivision's growth objectives, particularly in attracting new advertisers and maximizing the value of its diverse content and audience engagement platforms.

Law's appointment comes at a pivotal moment for TelevisaUnivision as it seeks to strengthen its position in the competitive media landscape. Reporting directly to John Kozack, who recently took the helm of ad sales, Law's primary mandate will be to broaden the company's advertiser base. Kozack highlighted the immense potential for increasing advertiser involvement, especially among brands that currently have a limited presence or significant opportunities for expansion with TelevisaUnivision. The focus remains on tapping into the rapidly growing U.S. Hispanic consumer market, a demographic that continues to be a key driver for brand growth.

With over two and a half decades of experience in leading media buying agencies, Mike Law brings a wealth of expertise to his new role. Prior to joining TelevisaUnivision, he served as the CEO of Carat North America, a division of Dentsu. His career also includes a significant tenure managing investment strategies for Dentsu in the United States and contributing to Pfizer's media initiatives. Law's journey in the industry began at Arnold, a well-regarded agency based in Boston, and he first joined Dentsu in 2000, where he was instrumental in overseeing national TV buying for numerous important accounts.

The strategic hiring of both John Kozack and Mike Law signals TelevisaUnivision's renewed emphasis on veteran leadership within its sales and partnerships divisions. Kozack's arrival, replacing Tim Natividad—who previously held positions at Roku and Amazon—illustrates a deliberate shift towards executives with deep-seated knowledge and experience in the advertising sales arena. This leadership approach is crucial as the company navigates the evolving media market, aiming to capitalize on its unique audience demographics and extensive content offerings.

Despite these strategic appointments, TelevisaUnivision faces financial challenges. The company's advertising revenue for the fourth quarter stood at $856 million, a figure consistent with the previous year's performance. More specifically, advertising revenue in the U.S. market experienced an 11% decline, totaling $423 million. This downturn highlights the critical need for initiatives like Law's, which are designed to invigorate advertiser interest and cultivate new partnerships, thereby contributing to a rebound in advertising revenue and overall financial growth for the company.

In essence, the recruitment of Mike Law as Executive Vice President of Brand Partnerships by TelevisaUnivision represents a significant stride towards amplifying the company's engagement with advertisers and broadening its commercial reach. Leveraging his vast experience, Law is expected to spearhead efforts to attract diverse brands, with a particular focus on the influential U.S. Hispanic consumer segment. This strategic move, coupled with recent leadership changes in ad sales, aims to solidify TelevisaUnivision’s market position and drive sustained financial growth amidst a dynamic media environment.