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Catena Media Appoints Interim CTO: Strategic Move Amid Recovery Challenges

By jili tutorial · September 18, 2026

Catena Media Appoints Interim CTO: Strategic Move Amid Recovery Challenges

Overview: A Board Member Steps In

iGaming media group Catena Media has appointed board member Martin Zetterlund as its Interim Chief Technology Officer while the company searches for a permanent replacement. Zetterlund, who joined the board in December 2024, brings extensive technology leadership experience, including nearly four years as a Managing Director at Accenture in Sweden and the founding of security firms Sentor Managed Security Services and ScrapeSentry.

He steps into the role vacated by Edward Midolo, who had been with the business for eight years and was promoted to CTO in April 2024. The reason for Midolo’s departure has not been publicly disclosed.

Catena Media CEO Manuel Stan noted that Zetterlund’s familiarity with the company from his board position makes the transition smoother: “Martin has followed our technology work closely from the board and knows the organisation well. His experience of building and running technology businesses will support the team while we complete the recruitment of a permanent CTO.”

The Significance of the Interim CTO Role

Why an Interim Appointment?

In fast-moving sectors like iGaming media, a gap in the CTO position can stall critical technology initiatives. Interim appointments allow companies to maintain momentum while conducting a thorough search for a permanent leader. Board members often make ideal interim choices because they already understand the company’s strategic priorities, culture, and pain points.

Key Responsibilities During the Transition

Zetterlund will oversee Catena’s entire technology function, including:

Catena Media’s Strategic Pivot: From Affiliate to Infrastructure Provider

The Old Model: Traditional Affiliate Marketing

Catena Media originally operated as a classic gambling affiliate — driving traffic to online casinos and sportsbooks via content and SEO, earning commissions on player sign-ups and losses. This model, while profitable for years, faced increasing competition, regulatory pressure, and reliance on third-party operators.

The New Direction: Technical Infrastructure Platform

The company is now repositioning itself as a technology platform that connects publishers and advertisers directly, moving beyond simple referral fees. This infrastructure-layer approach offers:

This transformation makes the CTO role especially pivotal. The technical leadership must architect scalable systems, manage API integrations, and build the core marketplace technology.

Zetterlund’s Background: Why He Fits the Interim Role

Founder and Cybersecurity Expert

Zetterlund founded Sentor Managed Security Services and ScrapeSentry, giving him hands-on experience in building tech companies from the ground up. His security background is particularly relevant as Catena handles sensitive user data and faces stringent regulatory requirements across multiple jurisdictions.

Accenture Leadership

His nearly four years as Managing Director at Accenture in Sweden provided exposure to large-scale digital transformation projects, client management, and cross-functional team leadership — skills directly transferable to steering Catena’s technology overhaul.

Board-Level Insight

Since joining Catena’s board in December 2024, Zetterlund has already been involved in high-level technology strategy discussions. This familiarity reduces the learning curve and allows him to contribute immediately.

Recent Financial Performance: Recovery Stalls

H1 2025 Results

Catena’s second-quarter revenue remained flat at €9.5 million, while EBITDA dropped 46% to €1.2 million. These figures came as a setback after a period of positive momentum, during which the company had refocused its operations almost entirely on North America.

Market Reaction

Despite the mixed financials, investor confidence appears intact. Catena’s shares on the Stockholm Nasdaq have risen 74% since earlier in the year, reflecting belief in the strategic pivot and the potential of the infrastructure platform vision.

The Pressure on Technology Leadership

The EBITDA decline highlights the need for cost efficiency and revenue growth — both of which depend heavily on technology. An effective CTO can:

Lessons for iGaming and Affiliate Companies

Interim CTOs as a Strategic Tool

Other firms in the sector can learn from Catena’s approach. When a permanent CTO search may take months, recruiting a high-caliber interim leader — especially one already familiar with the business — provides stability and prevents strategic drift.

The Growing Importance of In-House Tech

As iGaming media groups face thinning margins and increased competition, owning proprietary technology becomes a competitive differentiator. Companies that can build and maintain their own platform infrastructure are better positioned to control their destiny.

Stock Performance and Investor Sentiment

Catena’s 74% share rise despite near-term financial headwinds suggests that investors are betting on the long-term transformation rather than quarterly results. Technology leadership is a key factor in sustaining that confidence.

Looking Ahead: What’s Next for Catena Media?

The permanent CTO search will likely prioritize candidates with experience in platform marketplaces, scaling B2B tech, and navigating regulated gaming markets. Meanwhile, Zetterlund’s interim tenure will be measured by his ability to keep technology projects on track, support the business’s recovery, and lay a solid foundation for his successor.

The company continues to highlight its presence at upcoming industry events, including the Digital Marketing & CRM Academy at SBC Summit Lisbon on September 30. Such appearances reinforce Catena’s commitment to thought leadership and networking in the iGaming marketing space.