Catena Media Company Profile – Lead Generation, Restructuring, and North American Focus
About the Organisation
Brief Overview
Catena Media is a publicly listed performance marketing company specialising in affiliate lead generation for the iGaming and financial services industries. Founded in 2012 in Malta, the company has transitioned from a global operator to a North America-focused affiliate leader. Its primary business model revolves around creating high-traffic content websites that refer users to licensed operators in exchange for revenue share or CPA deals.
Key Company Details
| Company Type | Public (PLC), listed on Nasdaq Stockholm (Ticker: CTM) |
| Founded | 2012 by Erik Bergman and Emil Thidell |
| Industry | Online Performance Marketing (Affiliate Marketing) |
| Primary Verticals | Online Sports Betting, Casino |
| Global Focus | North America (USA and Canada) |
| Business Model | B2B lead generation through SEO-driven content and affiliate deals |
Mission and Strategic Focus
Catena Media’s mission is to provide high-quality digital content that connects users with trusted iGaming operators. Following a major restructuring effort between 2023 and 2025, the company sold off non-core assets in Europe and has since concentrated its efforts on the fast-growing and regulated North American market. It is now debt-free and actively investing in high-margin, scalable operations.
Company History & Founders
Year Founded and Evolution
| 2008 | Erik Bergman and Emil Thidell launch a web consulting agency |
| 2012 | Catena Media is founded in Malta |
| 2016 | IPO on Nasdaq First North |
| 2016–2022 | Rapid European expansion through acquisitions (including AskGamblers.com) |
| 2023 | Launch of MRKTPLAYS sub-affiliation platform |
| 2024 | Divestment of UK, Australia, and Italy-facing assets |
| 2025 | Becomes debt-free and completes strategic pivot to North America |
Key People
| CEO | Manuel Stan (Appointed July 2024) |
| CFO | Michael Gerrow (Appointed April 2024) |
| COO | Pierre Cadena (Appointed July 2024) |
| Chairman of the Board | Erik Flinck (Appointed May 2024) |
| Co-Founders | Erik Bergman, Emil Thidell (2012) |
Licensing & Compliance
Affiliate Licenses & Jurisdictions
Catena Media holds affiliate licenses and registrations in multiple U.S. states and Canadian provinces, including New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Ontario. The company adheres to responsible marketing standards and compliance frameworks in every regulated jurisdiction it operates in.
Regulatory Focus & Measures
| Regulatory Focus | US and Canadian regulated iGaming markets |
| Licenses Held | Affiliate/vendor licenses in key jurisdictions |
| Compliance Measures | Responsible gambling, data protection, jurisdictional marketing policies |
Offices & Locations
Main Offices
| Gzira, Malta | Corporate Headquarters (Europe) |
| Las Vegas, USA | North American Regional Hub |
| Vancouver, Canada | North American Regional Office |
| Stockholm, Sweden | Regional Office (Europe) |
| London, UK | Regional Office (Europe) |
Business Partnerships
Key Platforms & Partnerships
| Sub-Affiliate Platform | MRKTPLAYS.com – In-house platform connecting smaller affiliates with licensed North American operators |
| Strategic Partner | Daily Racing Form (DRF) – Exclusive partnership for U.S. horse racing and sports betting content distribution |
Contact Details
General Info
| Company Address | Quantum Place, Triq ix-Xatt, Ta’ Xbiex, Gzira GZR 1052, Malta |
| Investor Relations | ir@catenamedia.com |
| Website | www.catenamedia.com |
