MTG Management Team Shakeup

STOCKHOLM: MTG (Modern Times Group) has made several management appointments as the executive VP and CEO of its African operations steps down.

Peter Nørrelund has been named executive VP and CEO of MTG Sport. A former editor in chief at Danish public service broadcaster DR, Nørrelund joined MTG in 2003 and became the head of sport in 2013. Nørrelund is responsible for MTG’s global sports organization of 200-plus people that acquires rights for the company’s online and offline platforms across multiple territories. He also runs the technical playout of MTG’s sports channels and produces the local-language commentary and programming for the coverage of events such as the Olympics, UEFA Champions League, English Premier League, Danish Superliga, Formula 1, the NHL and the NFL.

Jørgen Madsen Lindemann, the president and CEO of MTG, said: “Peter has done a great job building up an unrivaled sports portfolio for our channels and platforms around the world. Not only do we have rights to the top global franchises but also very strong local editorial offerings. This step up in the organization reflects how central sports is to our consumer product offering.”

Gabriel Catrina has been appointed as the chief strategy officer. Catrina joined MTG in 2013 as the head of group strategy and has worked closely with the group’s operating businesses. Catrina previously served as head of the media, communications and technology practice for the management consulting firm Booz & Company in the Nordics, where he spent eight years advising companies globally on strategy, innovation and operations. Catrina was also CFO and COO of the Argentinean digital education company Educ.ar. He has also served as the VP of business development for Europe and Latin America at U.S.-based telecommunications software company TCS.

Lindemann added: “Gabriel has substantially enhanced our strategy work and been instrumental in our strategic transformation. This new role reflects the importance of dedicated strategic thinking and planning to the future of MTG as a leading global digital video entertainment business.”

Meanwhile, Joseph Hundah has left his position as executive VP and CEO of MTG Africa. Hundah joined MTG in 2011 as the CEO of MTG’s African operations and has been an executive VP since November 2012. MTG executive VP Jette Nygaard-Andersen is taking on responsibility for the company’s African operations, which comprise free-TV channels Viasat1 Ghana and TV1 in Tanzania, as well as Modern African Productions.

“Joseph leaves with our thanks for his contribution to the development of our African business and our best wishes for the future,” Lindemann said.