Abiad named SVP of Ad Sales Operations and Local Business Strategy at Univision

Univision Communications, Inc. (UCI) announced the appointment of Sam Abiad as senior vice president of Ad Sales Operations and Local Business Strategy, effective immediately. Abiad will continue to be based in New York and report to John W. Eck, chief Local Media officer and executive vice president of Technology, Operations and Engineering.

In this new role, Abiad will lead operational strategies, digital initiative enhancement and new efficiency opportunities execution for Local Media and continue to work closely with UCI’s Ad Sales leadership on traffic operations, customer relationship management, enterprise-wide systems strategy and advanced television technology.

“Sam’s dynamic and selfless approach will be an enormous asset to UCI’s Local Media business. His track record of driving standards and efficiency, as well as enterprise thinking, makes him the ideal person for the role,” said Eck. “Sam has demonstrated the talent to drive change, increase performance and has served as an important advisor to senior executives – all of which will help accelerate our sales operations and local business strategy.”

Abiad brings several years of expertise in strategic planning, management consulting, business development and process improvement. He first joined UCI in 2012 as an associate in the Office of the CEO where he evaluated, planned and executed CEO and Board-level strategic initiatives across the Company’s broadcast, cable and local assets in addition to its digital platforms. Shortly thereafter, Abiad was named vice president of Commercial Excellence and Operations where he led development and implementation strategies aimed at elevating UCI’s commercial performance and capabilities. In November 2013, he was promoted to senior vice president of Commercial Excellence and Operations. Before Univision, Abiad led planning and logistics at Ford Motor Company.