TelevisaUnivision Replaces Ad-Sales Chief as TV Upfront Nears

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TelevisaUnivision, a leading Spanish-language media giant, made a surprising announcement on Monday regarding a major overhaul of its ad-sales structure. This move comes just weeks before the TV industry kicks off its annual “upfront” marketplace.

The company made a significant change by replacing Tim Naividad, who had been in the position since June 2025, with John Kozack, an internal veteran with over two decades of experience at TelevisaUnivision. While Naividad brought digital expertise from his previous roles at Roku and Amazon, the decision to bring in Kozack suggests that the company is still heavily reliant on the revenue generated from traditional linear TV.

In the fourth quarter, TelevisaUnivision reported advertising revenue of $856 million, remaining flat compared to the previous year. However, in the U.S., advertising revenue saw an 11% decline to $423 million.

Since Wade Davis, the former Viacom CFO, orchestrated the buyout of Univision in 2020 and merged it with Mexico’s Grupo Televisa in 2022, the company has been working to strengthen its financial position. Daniel Alegre, a former senior executive at Activision Blizzard, took over as CEO in 2024 and has been focused on streamlining operations across both the United States and Mexico.

Alegre acknowledged Naividad’s contributions to the company’s commercial strategy and expressed gratitude for his leadership. He highlighted Kozack’s deep understanding of the business and track record of driving growth in the U.S. Hispanic market.

This recent ad-sales shuffle marks a significant transition in the company’s leadership, following the quick exit of veteran executive Donna Speciale last year. As TelevisaUnivision gears up for the annual upfront market, the appointment of Kozack, who has experience in managing client and agency relationships and leading upfront negotiations, brings reassurance to the company’s stakeholders.

Kozack’s career includes roles at The Media Edge and Fox Sports before joining Univision in 2003. His previous experience in handling sales for TelevisaUnivision’s sports portfolio will be valuable as the company navigates the upcoming upfront negotiations.

As the industry awaits further developments, the changes at TelevisaUnivision indicate a strategic shift in its advertising approach and a continued focus on maximizing revenue opportunities in a rapidly evolving media landscape. Stay tuned for more updates on this evolving story.