Key Takeaways

Kelly Campbell will join Match Group’s increasingly-diverse Board of Directors at the company’s upcoming Annual Meeting on June 18. 

Campbell’s appointment comes at a pivotal time for Match Group. Consumers and investor groups alike have grown increasingly disillusioned with online dating platforms, necessitating a massive industry-wide shift to AI innovation and diversified leadership in an effort to improve the user experience. 

Veteran of Major Streaming Platforms, Campbell Adds Key Industry Experience 

Thomas J. McInerney, Chairman of the Board of Match Group, explained how Campbell will benefit the company as it undergoes a “transformation”: 

“Kelly is a deeply experienced leader who will complement the skills and expertise of the Board as we continue to provide oversight of Match Group and support the execution of the transformation underway,” he said, referring to Campbell’s background in streaming services. 

After 12 years in the tech world at Google, Campbell became President of Hulu, where she shepherded the streaming platform’s integration with Disney. This achievement prepared her for the four years she spent as President of the NBC streaming giant Peacock, where she led the facilitation of what she called “unprecedented subscriber growth.”

Campbell brings a progressive and creative edge to Match Group’s Board, something activist investor group Anson Funds believes Match Group needs to stay competitive. 

After months of shaky investor relations, Match Group and Anson Funds seem to have reached a suitable compromise, in part, perhaps, because of Campbell’s appointment. It helps that Anson Funds and Match Group recently agreed upon a new information sharing agreement that will facilitate creative collaboration.

In a statement, Match Group reaffirmed its relationship with Anson Funds and “all its stockholders as it continues to execute on its transformation and prioritize sustainable growth and long-term value creation.”

Anson Funds reiterated this point, and praised Match Group for “lead[ing] a revolution of the online dating category driven by artificial intelligence.” 

This is a far cry from the criticism Anson Funds lobbed at Match Group just a few weeks ago. 

Campbell Joins as Match Group Rebuilds Investor Confidence 

In early April, Anson Funds voiced concerns about Match Group’s stock performance, blaming it in part on the company’s perceived inability to innovate and welcome outside perspectives. 

“Match’s outdated, insular Board has deep interlocking relationships and is inadequately qualified to oversee a modern technology company primarily serving young adults,” Anson Funds claimed in an open letter to Match Group stockholders. 

Anson Funds nominated Fumbi Chima, Laura Lee, and Kelley Morrell for election to Match Group’s Board of Directors. Instead, Match Group appointed e-commerce executive and Zulily founder Darrell Cavens. 

Match Group claimed that Anson Funds’ letter contained “inaccurate and misleading characterizations,” and that “none [of Anson Funds’ nominees] brings meaningful additional skills or expertise relevant to Match Group’s strategic priorities moving forward.” 

It seems both Anson Funds and Match Group can agree upon Campbell, however. 

“Her knowledge of consumer-facing technology businesses and insight into the development of brand equity in a competitive landscape will be an asset to Match Group as we focus on strong execution of our user-focused growth strategy,” McInerney said. 

Campbell, who stepped down as President of Peacock in January, said, “I am excited to have the opportunity to work alongside the talented Match Group team and the rest of the Board to deliver on the growth opportunities ahead of the company and create long-term stockholder value.”

Match Group’s Board of Directors will welcome several new faces at its Annual Meeting, giving Match Group, Anson Funds, and Campbell all something to celebrate.