Tim Hanlon Reemerges as Partner at Catalyst S+F

Seven months after leaving VivaKi, Tim Hanlon has resurfaced as a partner at marketing capital firm Catalyst S+F. There, Hanlon will advise clients on investment strategies while opening a Chicago office for the San Francisco-based startup.

Hanlon has a history of guiding investment strategies for young tech companies. At VivaKi, he was EVP and managing director of the Publicis firm’s venture unit, leading most of its digital M&A activity. Before that, he helped found Publicis’ strategic consultancy Denuo, which specializes in developing young media firms. He was also SVP and managing director of emerging contacts for Starcom MediaVest Group from 2000 to 2005.

Catalyst is an appropriate fit for Hanlon: it acts as an adviser to companies seeking nontraditional digital marketing solutions, while also helping to secure investment for startups. The firm, which is independent and privately owned, was launched in 2007 by digital ad execs John Durham and Cory Treffiletti. In August of last year, Catalyst was named digital agency of record for all Del Monte Foods brands.

Catalyst hired Hanlon for his “experience across the intersection of marketing, media, advertising and technology,” said Durham, Catalyst’s CEO, and managing partner, in a written statement. “He is well known across the marketing and advertising industry for his innovation and vision.”