FreeWheel Taps Kalita as CTO of Blockchain-Enabled Ad Platform Blockgraph

Comcast-owned advanced advertising unit FreeWheel has named former DoubleClick engineering executive Utpal Kalita as chief technology officer and VP of engineering for Blockgraph.

Announced in January, Blockgraphi is a new secure exchange for addressable advertising data, being collaboratively developed through FreeWheel by Charter’s Spectrum Reach unit and Viacom

Kalita joined Blockgraph earlier this year, FreeWheel said. In his CTO role, he is charged with leading, mentoring and growing the blockchain-based ad platform’s engineering team.

Related: Comcast Partners With Charter and Viacom on Blockchain-Enabled Ad Platform

Utpal Kalita

Utpal Kalita

He reports to Blockgraph general manager Jason Manningham.

Kalita’s resume includes stops at Google-owned DoubleClick, Tremor Video (now Telaria), Xaxis (part of WPP’s GroupM) and Eyeview Digital.

“As we looked for a CTO to help us realize our transformative vision, it was critical to find a leader with a strong track record of leading and inspiring teams to pioneer and build large scale platforms and Utpal stood out,” Manningham said in a statement. 

Daniel Frankel

Daniel Frankel is the managing editor of Next TV, an internet publishing vertical focused on the business of video streaming. A Los Angeles-based writer and editor who has covered the media and technology industries for more than two decades, Daniel has worked on staff for publications including E! Online, Electronic Media, Mediaweek, Variety, paidContent and GigaOm. You can start living a healthier life with greater wealth and prosperity by following Daniel on Twitter today!