Longtime company leader Hesam Hosseini has been promoted to chief operating officer of Dallas-based Match Group, effective April 1.
Match also said that after a decade in senior leadership roles at the company, Gary Swidler will step down as president on that date and continue as an adviser to the company until July 4, as part of a “thoughtfully planned transition.”
The moves come one month after former Zillow co-founder and CEO Spencer Rascoff was appointed CEO of Match Group. Rascoff succeeded Bernard Kim, who stepped down as CEO and as a member of the board.
Match Group’s portfolio of over 20 brands includes category-leading global dating apps Tinder, Hinge, OkCupid, and Pairs.
“I want to congratulate Hesam and look forward to collaborating with him more closely during this pivotal time at Match Group,” Match Group CEO Spencer Rascoff said in a statement. “Hesam is the right leader to take on the COO role at this moment; he brings a deep understanding of our business and a proven ability to scale and launch brands, drive efficiency, and execute strategic projects. I’m confident that his leadership will elevate our portfolio as we continue to shape the future of digital connections. I also want to thank Gary for his leadership and dedication to the company over the years and wish him the best.”
Reimagining ‘what’s possible in how people meet’
Hosseini was highlighted as a member of Dallas Innovates’ Future 50 in 2020, when he was CEO of Match. He was known early on for trying to help courtship escape the confines of screens and phones.
The new COO brings extensive experience driving transformation and operational excellence across the company’s global portfolio. Match said. Currently, he is CEO of Match Group’s Evergreen & Emerging Brands, where he has built a dynamic testing ground for new features and products at scale, strengthening the company’s portfolio and driving long-term growth.
In his new role, Match said that Hosseini will focus on driving growth and execution across the company while retaining oversight of the Evergreen & Emerging business unit and Match Group Trust & Safety. He also now will now lead corporate development, corporate strategy, and the advertising sales team.
Since joining Match Group in 2008, Hosseini has held multiple leadership roles, including CEO of Match and Match Affinity, CEO of Plenty of Fish, general manager of New Initiatives, and general manager of Match International.
“I’m honored to step into this position at such an exciting time for Match Group,” Hosseini said. “Our history of innovation has redefined how people connect, and I am committed to pushing those boundaries even further. Together, we will continue to create transformative experiences for our users, expand our vibrant network of global communities, and reimagine what’s possible in how people meet and build relationships.”
Growing meaningful connections
“Gary has set a standard for excellence during his tenure at Match Group,” Board Chair Tom McInerney said in a statement. “Throughout his years with the company, he has been a highly strategic leader, a respected voice in the financial community, and a trusted advisor to Match Group CEOs. His leadership was central to achieving key milestones—taking the company public and separating it from IAC, driving strategic acquisitions including Hinge, and achieving significant revenue and profit growth. We are profoundly grateful for his many contributions, including the outstanding talent he helped develop and leaves behind.”
Swidler talked about his time with Match.
“My decade with Match Group has been an incredible journey,” Swidler said in a statement. “This company has continuously evolved to meet the needs of millions of people seeking meaningful connections. I am proud of the work we’ve done, and wish Spencer, Hesam, and the rest of the team the very best in what is next.”
Match Group has a portfolio of companies that make it a leading provider of digital technologies designed to help people make meaningful connections.
Match Group’s global portfolio of brands includes Tinder, Hinge, Match, Meetic, OkCupid, Pairs, PlentyOfFish, Azar, BLK, and more. Its services are available in over 40 languages to users all over the world.
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R E A D N E X T
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