Voltaggio, meanwhile, doesn't have a typical sales background. He has largely focused on crucial back-of-the-house operations, such as ad pricing and implementation of sales strategies. But he has developed credibility over time with Warner's top executives, according to people familiar with the matter, and has often demonstrated an ability to speak candidly with David Zaslav, the Warner Bros. Discovery CEO who has been known to insert himself into ad-sales negotiations, putting heavy pressure on the company's staff to push clients for ad commitments and pricing that have in recent years been seen as overreaching. Voltaggio's presence at the top could be seen as a means of shielding ad-sales staffers from Zaslav's pressure.