Plex hires three including former Pluto TV head of ad sales

Keith Valory

Streaming media company Plex has announced a trio of executive hires as it continues to develop its business as a FAST platform operator.

The company, which initially built a reputation as a platform for consumers to operate their own media servers, has in recent years branched out into free ad-supported TV. It now offers almost 200 live TV channels and over 40,000 on-demand movies and TV episodes, and has established content partnerships with the likes of Lionsgate, MGM and the BBC.

Focusing on this AVOD growth will be industry veteran and former Pluto TV head of ad sales, Harold Morgenstern. He will oversee all revenue generation across Plex’s global AVOD platform and suite of personal media software and services.

Keith Valory, CEO at Plex, said: “Plex has always built solid technology with a focus on engineering for all platforms, including our ad platform. Now we not only have the right technology backbone, but also a well-rounded ad team with Harold at the helm. Under his leadership we will focus on being the best possible partner to brands, and will continue to drive innovation and develop transparent solutions for advanced CTV advertising across the Plex platform.”

Morgenstern said: “Plex’s AVOD business is in all-out growth mode, and what appealed to me most about joining the team is their entrepreneurial spirit, interest in client success, and a continued drive to outperform each and every day on behalf of all their advertising, content, and distribution partners. Plex is looking to separate themselves from the pack of other AVOD platforms who leverage their clients and agencies to purchase their digital offerings in order to secure access to diminishing traditional linear TV inventory.”

The company has also hired former NBCUniversal and Disney exec Lindsay Jespersen as its chief financial officer. As CFO for Plex, Jespersen will lead Plex’s finance, accounting, legal, and strategic planning functions through its next phase of growth. She joins with nearly 20 years of experience at companies including Bloomberg Television, ViacomCBS, and GE, along with the aforementioned NBCU and Disney. 

The final hire is that of Christa Foley as VP of people, a role she was appointed to in May. She joined from Zappos, and will serve to cultivate Plex’s culture across its remote workforce.