Catena Media names former TMZ director as new VP of product
Malta-based affiliate hires Jasleen Kals after she calls time on her 15-month stint with the Fox-owned entertainment company
Catena Media has appointed former TMZ exec Jasleen Kals as vice-president of product as the affiliate continues to bolster its senior team.
Kals’ “strong track record in building, iterating and executing product-led growth” was cited as a key factor in her arrival as the Stockholm-listed firm laid out its plans to home in on product development.
She joins the affiliate from Fox Entertainment-owned TMZ where she served as executive director of digital product development and strategy from March 2023 to May 2024.
In that role, Kals was tasked with innovating new revenue pathways for the media company from the group’s Los Angeles offices.
Prior to that stint in California, Kals spent just shy of two years as the director of product management at CafeMedia from January 2021 to November 2022, where Kals directed the product roadmap for internal and publisher facing products.
October 2018 saw Kals take on the role of head of product at MarketMuse, which she occupied until January 2021 spearheading similar projects to her stint at CafeMedia.
While addressing her latest position, Catena Media interim CEO Pierre Cadena heaped praise on Kals and explained how integral she will be as the Malta-based firm tackles this transition period.
“Jasleen has impressive experience in creating and building excellent products and we are delighted she is joining us,” Cadena explained.
“Her knowledge, leadership and drive will be central as we embed our new product-focused operating model across the organisation.
“The model will prioritise the development of our best-performing products and create superior user experiences as we position the business to deliver sustainable long-term growth.
“Jasleen will lead the evolution and growth of Catena Media’s portfolio of outstanding assets and brands to enable us to unlock their full potential,” he added.
Kals becomes the latest addition the group’s senior team following internal promotions for Mike Gerrow to CFO and Edward Midolo to chief technology officer in April.
Those moves were preceded by the company confirming the arrival of Kindred Group US SVP Manuel Stan as CEO, effective from 1 July.
Earlier this month, the affiliate posted disappointing Q1 results that included a 95% year on year (YoY) slump in EBITDA, decreasing to €909,000, while revenue also fell 49% YoY to €16m.
Arnold Ash is EGR’s Executive Recruitment Partner. They support ambitious organisations to identify and attract industry leading executive talent. Find out more here.