Movers & Shakers: Marfeel, Pandora, WWT Asynchrony Labs and Uber

The mobile marketing industry is ever-changing, and that applies to the people as much as the technology. Movers & Shakers is a regular feature following the hottest hires in the industry, so you can keep track of who’s joined which company, and what they’re doing there.

(Left to right) Viktor Nordstrom, Roger Lynch, Kelly White and Brooks Entwistle

Viktor Nordstrom Named Vice President of Sales at Marfeel
Advertising technology provider Marfeel has announced its new vice president of sales, Viktor Nordstrom. As an entrepreneur and experienced sales and business development executive, the firm is hoping Nordstrom will bring a global perspective to the company, which has international partnerships with thousands of ad networks and exchanges.

“Viktor is a proven leader with a broad scope of sales and business expansion expertise,” said Xavi Beumala, co-founder and CEO at Marfeel. “As a global enterprise, we’re particularly pleased to tap his multi-cultural experience across Europe, Asia, the US and Latin America. He offers a valuable perspective on the needs of mobile publishers and readers around the world.”

Nordstrom was previously the business development manager at Fluendo, where he developed sales channels for multimedia products and web tactics for optimising conversion rates. He has also held senior roles at Openbravo, and is the founder of Cl3ver, an editing and publishing tool for the creative software and CAD world.

“I’m excited to join the Marfeel team and contribute to its increasing success as a powerhouse in mobile advertising technology,” said Nordstrom. “It’s a true innovator and an effective, fast-moving partner to mobile publishers, and I look forward to helping the company continue to evolve and grow as an industry leader.”

Sling TV’s Founding CEO Switches Station to Pandora
Roger Lynch, best known as the founding CEO of over-the-top streaming firm Sling TV, has been named as the new CEO and president of streaming audio platform Pandora. Naveen Chopra, who has served as Pandora’s interim CEO since June, will continue in his role as chief financial officer. Lynch will also join the company’s board, along with Michael Lynton, chairman of Snap Inc’s board.

Lynch has extensive experience in the consumer media and technology market, and has frequently worked with large content providers to create more effective business models that embrace technology. Prior to Sling TV, Lunch served as executive vice president of advanced technology for Dish Network and EchoStar, has also held leadership positions at Video Networks International and Chello Broadband.

“I cannot imagine a more important and exciting time to join Pandora,” said Lynch. “With a massive, diverse and highly engaged audience, a market-leading digital advertising business, a best-in-class product portfolio and an extremely passionate and talented group of people, Pandora is well-positioned to capture an even greater market opportunity. As a lifelong musician and exuberant music fan, this is the perfect opportunity to combine my industry experience with my love for music.”

WWT Asynchrony Labs Expands UK Presence with European Headquarters
The software development arm of World Wide Technology and Apple mobility partner WWT Asynchrony Labs has opened its new European headquarters in London’s Canary Wharf, in an effort to expand in markets outside the US, where it has delivered custom software to global brands including Mastercard, Papa Johns and Emerson, as well as the US Department of Defense.

“London has been on our radar for a long time and we’re delighted to be expanding the tech community into Canary Wharf,” said Kelly White, London general manager for WWT Asynchrony Labs. “Setting up an agile software lab here makes perfect sense – it represents the maturity of our technology approach and of London as a technology hub. Even after Brexit, we think that London is where technology will increasingly impact enterprise.”

Founded in 1999, the company is recognised as a leader in agile development and has been credited with bringing the working practice to large organisations including the US Department of Defense, which has incorporated it into their permanent operations. The firm aims to bring its mature approach to agile development to enterprise level deployments across Europe, in a variety of emerging technology markets.

Uber Appoints New Chief Business Officer for Asia Pacific Region
Brooks Entwistle is joining troubled ride-hailing firm Uber to serve as its chief business officer for Asia Pacific, where the company has met considerable resistance to its expanding operations from local competitors. Entwistle will be responsible for business development in the area, including alliances for autonomous vehicles, experiential marketing and corporate development.

Entwistle joins Uber from The Everstone Group, a private equity and real estate investment group that focuses primarily on India and Southeast Asia, where he was CEO. Previously, he was chairman of Goldman Sachs Southeast Asia, and has held positions at McKinsey and the United Nations, and seats on the boards for The Asia Foundation, YoungLife and The Aspen Institute.

“Uber is one of the most exciting, innovative and mission-driven companies in Asia, and I’m thrilled to be getting aboard as it steps up its efforts to unlock the benefits of ridesharing for riders, drivers and cities,” said Entwistle. “After 20 years working in Asia, I couldn’t turn down the opportunity of shaping how the region moves over the next 20.”