Los Gatos, Calif., Aug. 24, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Global Streaming Media Company Complex has hired several key executives to advance their mission to create a global streaming content community people can rely on to easily discover, experience and share all the entertainment that matters to them. Former Pluto TV advertising sales manager Harold Morgenstern has been named the new chief revenue officer, and Lindsay Jespersen, formerly of NBCUniversal and Disney, as chief financial officer. Additionally, the company recently hired Christa Foley, formerly of Zappos.com, as vice president of human resources.
As the largest independent video-on-demand and ad-supported streaming platform, Plex offers nearly 200 live TV channels and over 40,000 movies and TV episodes on-demand. With over 25 million registered users worldwide, Plex is one of the most widely available ad-supported video-on-demand and live TV offerings in the industry, with users in 193 countries. Since launch AVOD in 2019and free live tv in 2020the company has more than 300 entertainment content partnerships with the world’s largest studios and publishing networks, including Lionsgate, Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution, Metro Goldwyn Mayer (MGM), Sony Pictures Television, Sinclair Broadcast Group, AMC, A+E, Craquelé and BBC.
Plex appoints its first CRO with a focus on AVOD growth
As the first chief revenue officer, Morgenstern will oversee all revenue generation across Plex’s global AVOD platform and personal media software and services suite. During his tenure at Pluto TV, he built its ad sales organization from the ground up and was part of the leadership team that led to acquisition by Viacom after growing ad sales to hundreds of millions of dollars. With over 20 years of experience in media and advertising, he has a deep understanding of how to apply advertising sales, analytics, data and innovation to maximize campaign performance for his clients.
“Plex has always built strong technology with a focus on engineering for all platforms, including our advertising platform,” said Keith Valory, CEO of Plex. “Now we not only have the right technology backbone, but also a well-rounded advertising team with Harold at the helm. Under his leadership, we will strive to be the best possible partner for brands, and continue to drive the innovation and develop seamless solutions for advanced CTV advertising on the Plex platform.
“Plex’s AVOD business is in full growth mode, and what appealed to me most about joining the team was their entrepreneurial spirit, focus on customer success, and a will continue to outdo every day on behalf of all of their advertising, content, and distribution partners,” Morgenstern said. “Plex is looking to separate itself from the pack of other AVOD platforms that leverage their clients and agencies to purchase their digital offerings in order to secure access to a dwindling traditional linear TV inventory.”
Media industry veteran takes on CFO role
As Plex’s Chief Financial Officer, Lindsay Jespersen will lead Plex’s financial, accounting, legal and strategic planning functions through its next phase of growth. Jespersen previously served as vice president of finance for Comcast NBCUniversal’s Global and International Distribution segment, supporting the segment president and overseeing FP&A and strategic planning for the film and television distribution business.
Previously, she served as Vice President of Finance and Strategy at The Walt Disney Company, where she led a global team responsible for ABC News’ financial operations. During her tenure, she led improvement initiatives focused on accelerating revenue growth and driving expansion strategies across portfolio broadcast shows, a non-fiction production studio, audio/radio, digital platforms and all support teams. With nearly 20 years of experience in strategic and operational finance roles at major media companies, she has held other leadership positions at Bloomberg Television, ViacomCBS and GE.
New Vice President of Human Resources will foster a diverse and healthy culture
Christa Foley also joined Plex in May as Vice President, People, where she will continue to cultivate the tight-knit Plex culture within its globally distributed remote workforce. Prior to joining Plex, Foley spent 16 years at Zappos.com where she led Brand Vision & Culture and spent several years as a Talent Acquisition Manager where she developed the recruiting team and philosophy.
At Zappos, she helped grow the team from 80 to over 5,000 across multiple locations and played a key role in building Zappos’ core values in its early days, including working with Zappos Insights where her job was to share the corporate culture with the world. She also developed the Zappos Core Values Interview Assessment, which focused on hiring for fit and alignment of Core Values in addition to technical skills and experience – a key component of the safeguarding the culture of the company as it grows. His expertise in cultural and organizational development will help Plex build a resilient, diverse, and healthy base while rapidly scaling the team and business.
Complex raised a $50 million growth seed round in April. For more information on Plex, visit https://www.plex.tv/.
About Plex
For fans of movies and shows overwhelmed by the chaos of the fragmented universe of streaming, Complex offers a more personalized and intuitive experience with a suite of free, easy-to-use, powerful and beautiful apps. A global streaming platform that offers thousands of free on-demand movies and TV shows as well as hundreds of free live TV channels, Plex has partnered with some of the biggest names in entertainment. Supported by Intercap and Kleiner Perkins, Plex is the only streaming service that allows users to integrate their own personal media collections with an ever-growing library of free third-party entertainment spanning virtually every genre, interest, and language. For more visit https://plex.tvto follow @plex on Twitter, or find us on Facebook and Instagram.
