Catena Media appoints Martin Zetterlund as interim CTO during the search for a permanent candidate
Board member Martin Zetterlund takes on the technological leadership of Catena Media under a consultancy agreement until a permanent CTO is appointed, while the company adjusts its strategy in response to industry challenges.
Key Takeaways
- Catena Media has appointed Martin Zetterlund as interim CTO while concluding the search for a permanent technology leader.
- Zetterlund takes on the role under a consultancy agreement and will report to CEO Manuel Stan.
- Former CTO Edward Midolo leaves the company after leading several technology areas; the reasons for his departure have not been communicated.
- Catena Media is redefining its strategy in light of volatile search revenues and advances in artificial intelligence.
- New appointments in human resources and marketing strengthen the executive team following recent leadership changes.
Catena Media has appointed Martin Zetterlund, a member of its board of directors, as interim Chief Technology Officer (CTO) effective September 17, under a consultancy agreement. This appointment addresses the need to ensure continuity in the technology area while the affiliate company seeks a permanent CTO, a role from which Zetterlund will report directly to CEO Manuel Stan without leaving his position on the board.
New Structure in Catena Media's Technology Leadership
The change in technology leadership follows the departure of Edward Midolo, whose tenure in technology began in April 2024. Throughout his time at Catena Media, Midolo held key positions since his arrival in 2018, including head of core technology and vice president of systems. The company did not mention the reasons for his departure nor made direct reference to Midolo in Zetterlund's announcement.
Stan commented on the appointment:
“Martin has closely followed our technological work from the board and knows the organization well. His experience in building and leading technology companies will be an asset to the team as we complete the process of hiring a permanent CTO.”
Profile and Experience of Martin Zetterlund
Zetterlund resides in Stockholm and has extensive experience in technology and security companies. He founded Sentor Managed Security Services in 1998 and held various executive roles until the company was acquired by Accenture in 2021, where he then served as general manager. He also served as senior vice president of advanced projects at Distil Networks.
As interim CTO, Zetterlund joins a list of recent additions to Catena Media's executive team. In April 2025, the company appointed Jamie-Grace Farrugia as director of human resources and Valentina Giommoni as senior vice president of marketing.
Strategy and Challenges Facing Catena Media in the Digital Landscape
Catena Media faces a strategic transformation due to pressures in the affiliate market, driven by advancements in artificial intelligence in searches and variations in Google's algorithm. After unsatisfactory results in the second quarter, CEO Manuel Stan reaffirmed in August the company's intention to evolve beyond affiliation and lead generation, moving toward a platform of technical infrastructure and intelligence.
In Stan’s words to analysts:
“The way users discover content is changing, and organic search revenues are more volatile today. This trend is likely to continue, so we must adapt.”
Defining this new direction will be one of the main challenges for the technology area, with Zetterlund temporarily at the helm.
Recent Changes in Catena Media's Executive Team
The new interim CTO joins additions such as human resources director Jamie-Grace Farrugia and senior marketing vice president Valentina Giommoni in April 2025. These new additions strengthen the executive team under the general direction of Stan – a former Kindred Group executive, appointed as CEO in July 2024 – and Michael Gerrow, promoted to chief financial officer around the same time as the previous technology leadership change.
Search and Transition Process in Technology Leadership
Alongside the temporary appointment, Catena Media has begun the search process for a permanent CTO. The company has not communicated estimated timelines or details about the process, but Zetterlund will maintain both roles — board member and acting CTO — until the hiring is finalized. The consultancy agreement formalizes his new role and aims for a seamless transition in the company's technical management.
Recent departures and movements in the upper management reflect the dynamic trend within the iGaming affiliate sector, where Catena Media operates in diverse markets and faces, like other players, the transformation driven by emerging technologies and regulatory changes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the new interim CTO of Catena Media?
Martin Zetterlund, a board member since December 2024, was appointed interim CTO of Catena Media on September 17 under a consultancy agreement and continues to hold his position on the board while temporarily taking on the technology leadership.
Why did the change in technology leadership occur at Catena Media?
The change came after Edward Midolo's departure as CTO; the company did not specify the reasons, but Zetterlund will assume the role while a permanent CTO is selected to ensure continuity in technological management.
What expertise does Martin Zetterlund bring to the interim CTO role?
Zetterlund founded Sentor Managed Security Services, acquired by Accenture in 2021, where he held executive positions and has notable experience in technology and cybersecurity that will benefit Catena Media's interim leadership.
What challenges does Catena Media face in technology?
Catena Media faces volatility in organic search revenues and the impact of artificial intelligence on search behavior, necessitating technological leadership to facilitate the transition towards a technical infrastructure and intelligence platform.
Have there been other significant appointments in Catena Media's leadership?
In April 2025, Jamie-Grace Farrugia was appointed as director of human resources and Valentina Giommoni as senior vice president of marketing, consolidating the executive team under the leadership of CEO Manuel Stan.
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About the author
Gonzalo Marín
Industry Deals Correspondent
Gonzalo Marín covers the corporate deal flow of gambling — operator strategy, M&A, regulated-market entries, and product launches. The reports open with the transaction, cite companies, valuations, and jurisdictions exactly as released, and keep the announcement apart from its actual effect. When a Latin American operator raises capital or a European brand lands in the region, Gonzalo Marín reports who signs, for how much, and on what terms.
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