Travelport appoints new marketing chief at it prepares to launch next gen platform

Travelport appoints new marketing chief at it prepares to launch next gen platform

Former Travelocity marketing director Jennifer Catto joins from premium video content platform Telaria

GDS and travel technology giant Travelport has announced the appointment of a new chief marketing officer from outside of the travel industry.

Jennifer Catto joins from Telaria, a data-driven software platform designed to monetise and manage premium video inventory.

Travelport described her as an “award-winning marketing executive, with two decades of leadership experience at both fast-growth and established companies”.

It said the appointment comes at a critical time for the company as it is preparing to launch its next generation travel sales and distribution platform.

During her four years with the company, she launched the Telaria brand and, within 24 months, “established it as the recognised leader in connected television”, said Travelport.

Prior to Telaria,  Catto was senior vice president of integrated marketing at Evolve Media.

She has also held leadership positions at digital media publisher, SAY Media, global media company, Conde Nast, and online travel agency, Travelocity, where she was marketing and editorial director.

At Travelocity she was involved in the development of the company’s award-winning Roaming Gnome campaign, which still runs today.

Catto has been brought in to elevate the Travelport brand, enhancing lead generation and defining and communicating a new confident, distinct and compelling company narrative.

She will be based in New York, report directly into Greg Webb, chief executive and has also joined the company’s senior leadership team.

Webb said: “Marketing is a critical function in any organisation.  However, it is exceptionally important right now at Travelport as we accelerate the implementation of our new strategy and prepare to introduce our next generation platform.

“I’m therefore delighted to have appointed a new chief marketing officer of Jennifer’s calibre. She is an outstanding, proven and creative leader, and will play an invaluable role in helping us achieve our ambitious goals.”

Catto added: “Travelport’s new strategy, exceptional leadership and vision for marketing made it an easy decision to join the team.

“Opportunities to lead a marketing function as a company embarks on a bold new journey don’t come around often, so it’s an exciting time to be here.

“I’m looking forward to getting started and working with Greg, the senior leadership team and all my new colleagues, to cement Travelport’s position as the leader in travel distribution.”