Ex-Domain Boss Catalano Buys into Property Media Agency

Former Domain founding chief executive Antony Catalano, who exited Domain in January, has emerged with a stake in creative and media group Tomorrow Agency/Media Plus.

Catalano will become an executive director of the business from July 1. The role will include business development, strategy, client handling, relationship building and national expansion.

He will work alongside Tomorrow directors Anthony Bray, Ian Hickey and Lars Weisenberger who offer creative and media services to a client base including property developers and real estate project marketers.

“Tomorrow helped Domain grow into an amazing business, and joining the partnership here feels like coming home," Catalano said.

“I am also looking forward to continuing my involvement with Domain via this role as its largest client.”

Tomorrow has offices in Melbourne and Brisbane and is looking to expand nationally.

Related reading: Domain Makes Solid ASX Debut with $2.2 Billion Valuation

A former property editor and marketing director of The Age, Catalano founded Metro Media Publishing before the business was purchased by Fairfax between 2012 and 2015.

He was appointed founding chief executive of real estate classifieds business Domain in 2013.

Last November Catalano led the company to its $2.2 billion debut on the Australian Securities Exchange before leaving two months later, citing family reasons.

Catalano left Domain amid a review into the real estate company’s workplace culture, with an article published in the Australian Financial Review claiming that Catalano led a “boys-club” at the company.

Domain is still 60 per cent owned by Fairfax.

In its first standalone results unveiled in February Domain recorded a net loss of $3.4 million on revenue of $112.7 million for the first half 2018.

Domain executive chairman Nick Falloon said at the results announcement: “Domain has today reported a pleasing first standalone result, with pro forma EBITDA growth of 8.7 per cent and a strong underlying performance.

“It demonstrates the strength of Domain as a separately listed company and the ongoing success of its strategy.”

Falloon is acting as interim chief executive until a permanent replacement for Catalano is appointed.