Donna Speciale

President, Turner Entertainment & Animation Ad Sales

By Jon Lafayette -- Broadcasting & Cable, 2/27/2012 12:01:00 AM

After weeks of rumor and speculation, Donna Speciale became the latest of a handful of top agency executives crossing over to see if the grass is really greener in network sales.

Leaving MediaVest, where she had been president, Speciale joins Turner Broadcasting in March. She will be responsible for TNT, TBS, truTV, Cartoon Network and Adult Swim, reporting to David Levy, president of sales, distribution and sports for Turner. Speciale signed on after executive VP Linda Yaccarino, who had some of the same responsibilities, left for NBCUniversal.

While the well-liked Speciale does not have any sales experience, she will be joining an experienced team. And Speciale’s former colleagues on the buy side believe she will be an asset as the upfronts roll around. Having someone who is not totally engrained on the sales side will give Turner a fresh perspective, one buyer said. “I’m sure she’s going to make an impact.”