Ad sales legend Joe Abruzzese (sample aside when Abruzzese walks by: “What a great guy”) will retire at the end of 2016 after 46 years in the industry, the last 14 as president of ad sales for Discovery. He’ll be replaced by Ben Price, currently EVP, national ad sales. “I am so fortunate to have spent the last 46 years working hand and hand with some of the top executives, clients and agency partners in the business,” Abruzzese tells Cynopsis.“It’s been an incredible run and I am truly thankful for all of the wonderful friendships I have cultivated over the years.Ben is an excellent choice to take over and lead the team and we will work together over the next several months to ensure a smooth transition.” Calling Abruzzese “the gold standard,” David Zaslav, president and CEO of Discovery Communications, said “Joe has defined what it means to lead with integrity, has made clients into friends [and] built the best ad sales organization in the business.”

Abruzzese’s soon-to-be successor, Ben Price, already knows the lay of the land. A 27-year Discovery veteran, Price “is incredibly well-prepared for this important role,” said his new boss, chief commercial officer Paul Guyardo. “His knowledge of our clients, company and ad sales team is stellar.”