New Catalina CEO to Steer Digital 'Transformation'

Shopper intelligence and personalization firm Catalina has a new CEO, Gerald 'Jerry' Sokol Jr. He joins after serving as CFO at transport operator Amtrak, and fills the gap left by the departure of Andy Heyman in June.

Heyman stepped down from the role after just over 18 months, with the Board citing the need to streamline the business and stating 'now is the right time to identify new leadership' - a committee of senior executives has run the company in the interim.

Sokol (pictured) has in-depth experience of managing, restructuring and growing companies in rapidly evolving environments. He spent ten years at AOL, in roles including EVP of International Operations and Strategy, before joining printing and direct marketing firm Vertis Communications, which he led through restructuring as CFO and then CEO and President, in four years from 2009. At Amtrak, he was responsible for managing more than $11bn in assets, more than $1 billion of debt, and a multi-billion-dollar operating budget. He holds a master's degree in finance from the University of Colorado, Denver and a bachelor's in finance from Oakland University in Rochester, MI.

Known originally for its coupons and personalized marketing business, Catalina is refocusing on a range of marketing solutions covering in-store, online and mobile customer contact. Sokol will use his turnaround expertise to 'swiftly accelerate Catalina's emergence as a digital leader that sits squarely at the intersection of marketing, analytics and technology', the firm says.

Accordingly, Catalina has launched a number of digital products and services this year, including the Catalyst purchase data model, in March; big data-based shopper prospect tool Launch Pad and ad impact tracker Ad2Offer, a month later; and a shopper engagement package, buyR3Science, in July. In June it appointed former Turner Broadcasting exec Wes Chaar as Chief Data and Analytics Officer.

Chairman Josh Lutzker says of Sokol's arrival: 'Our board believes Jerry's experience and digital background, coupled with his demonstrated ability to solve strategic challenges, make him the right leader to transform Catalina and drive the company successfully into the future'.

Catalina is based in St. Petersburg, FL, with operations in the USA, Europe and Japan, and a web site at www.catalina.com .

All articles 2006-23 written and edited by Mel Crowther and/or Nick Thomas, 2024- by Nick Thomas, unless otherwise stated.