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{{Short description|Technology entrepreneur and investor}}
{{Short description|Technology entrepreneur and investor}}


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'''Travis Katz''' (born 1971) is an American technology entrepreneur and investor.<ref>{{Cite web|title=GM Launches BrightDrop, a New Business That Will Electrify and Improve the Delivery of Goods and Services {{!}} General Motors Company|url=https://investor.gm.com/news-releases/news-release-details/gm-launches-brightdrop-new-business-will-electrify-and-improve/|access-date=2021-06-23|website=investor.gm.com|language=en}}</ref>  He is currently the President and CEO of electric vehicle maker [[BrightDrop]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Bookmark +|first=Chris Brown •|title=How GM's New BrightDrop EV Business Will Work with Fleets|url=https://www.fleetforward.com/10135810/how-gms-new-brightdrop-ev-business-will-work-with-fleets|access-date=2021-06-23|website=www.fleetforward.com}}</ref> Katz co-founded Fox Interactive Media, led international expansion for social networking site [[Myspace|MySpace]], and founded online travel site [[Trip.com]], which was acquired by [[Trip.com Group|CTrip]] in 2017.

{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
| name = Travis Katz
| name = Travis Katz
| image = BrightDrop_CEO_Travis_Katz_at_CES_2022.jpg
| image =
| alt = <!-- descriptive text for use by speech synthesis (text-to-speech) software -->
| alt = <!-- descriptive text for use by speech synthesis (text-to-speech) software -->
| caption = Katz in 2022 at CES
| caption =
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| occupation = Entrepreneur
| occupation = Entrepreneur
| years_active =
| years_active =
| known_for = Founding Trip.com
| known_for = Founder and CEO, Trip.com
| notable_works =
| notable_works =
| title = President and CEO, [[BrightDrop]]
| title = President and CEO, [[BrightDrop]]
| website =
}}
}}
⚫
'''Travis Katz''' (born 1971) is an American technology entrepreneur and investor.<ref>{{Cite web|title=GM Launches BrightDrop, a New Business That Will Electrify and Improve the Delivery of Goods and Services {{!}} General Motors Company|url=https://investor.gm.com/news-releases/news-release-details/gm-launches-brightdrop-new-business-will-electrify-and-improve/|access-date=2021-06-23|website=investor.gm.com|language=en}}</ref>  He is currently the General Manager of Shopping for YouTube.<ref>{{Cite web |title=LinkedIn |url=https://www.linkedin.com/in/traviskatz/ |website=LinkedIN}}</ref> Katz served as the President and CEO of GM-backed electric vehicle maker [[BrightDrop]],<ref>{{Cite web|first=Chris |last=Brown |title=How GM's New BrightDrop EV Business Will Work with Fleets|url=https://www.fleetforward.com/10135810/how-gms-new-brightdrop-ev-business-will-work-with-fleets|access-date=2021-06-23|website=www.fleetforward.com}}</ref> co-founded Fox Interactive Media, led the global expansion of social networking site [[Myspace|MySpace]], and was co-founder and CEO of online travel site [[Trip.com]], which was acquired by [[Trip.com Group|CTrip]] in 2017.


== Early life and education ==
== Early life and education ==
Travis Katz grew up in Englewood, Colorado.<ref name="Johnny Jet">{{Cite web|date=2015-09-21|title=Travel Style: Travis Katz -|url=https://www.johnnyjet.com/travel-style-travis-katz/|access-date=2021-06-29|website=Johnny Jet|language=en-US}}</ref> Katz attended [[Stanford University]], where he graduated with a degree in Public Policy. He later attended the [[Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania|Wharton School of Business]] at the University of Pennsylvania, where he graduated with an MBA in 2001.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Bloomberg Profile: Travis Katz|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/profile/person/17459732|url-status=live|website=[[Bloomberg L.P.|Bloomberg]]}}</ref>
Travis Katz grew up in Englewood, Colorado.<ref name="Johnny Jet">{{Cite web|date=2015-09-21|title=Travel Style: Travis Katz -|url=https://www.johnnyjet.com/travel-style-travis-katz/|access-date=2021-06-29|website=Johnny Jet|language=en-US}}</ref> Katz attended [[Stanford University]], where he graduated with a degree in Public Policy. He later attended the [[Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania|Wharton School of Business]] at the University of Pennsylvania, where he graduated with an MBA in 2001, earning deans' list honors.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Bloomberg Profile: Travis Katz|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/profile/person/17459732|website=[[Bloomberg L.P.|Bloomberg]]}}</ref>

== Career ==
=== World Bank ===
=== World Bank ===
Katz started his career at the [[World Bank]], where he co-authored a number papers on urban development, leadership and governance in Latin America.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Campbell|first=Tim|title=Leadership and Innovation in Subnational Government|publisher=World Bank Institute|year=2004|isbn=0-8213-5707-7|pages=69–98}}</ref> In 1996, he joined the World Bank-United Nations Development Program Water and Santiation Program, where he led research on how to improve the sustainability of investments in clean drinking water in emerging markets.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Katz|first=Travis|date=1998|title=Making Rural Water Supply Sustainable|url=http://www.its.caltech.edu/~e105/readings/rural_water.pdf  |url-status=live}}</ref>  
Katz started his career at the [[World Bank]] in Washington, D.C., where he focused his research on decentralization and urban development in Latin America. He co-authored a number of case studies with Tim Campbell on improving city governance and urban innovation in Latin America and the Caribbean,<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Katz |first1=Travis |last2=Campbell |first2=Tim |date=1995 |title=The City Manager Experience in the U.S.: Perspectives on Improving Local Government in LAC |journal=Reports |url=https://ideas.repec.org/p/wop/bawlad/_003.html |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Campbell |first=Tim |title=Leadership and Innovation in Subnational Government |publisher=World Bank Institute |year=2004 |isbn=0-8213-5707-7 |pages=69–98}}</ref> and co-organized the first ever Latin American Conference of Mayors, bringing together mayors of major cities from throughout the region to exchange learnings and best practices. From there, Katz joined a joint program of the World Bank and the [[United Nations Development Program]] focused on improving access to clean water and sanitation in the developing world. While there he co-authored with Jennifer Sara a widely cited report on how improve the sustainability of investments in rural water supply, based on field research Katz oversaw in Africa, Asia and Latin America.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Katz |first1=Travis |last2=Sara |first2=Jennifer |title=Making rural water supply sustainable : recommendations from a global study |url=http://www-wds.worldbank.org/servlet/WDSContentServer/IW3P/IB/1998/11/17/000009265_3981005112156/Rendered/PDF/multi_page.pdf |language=English}}</ref>


=== Fox Interactive Media ===
=== Fox Interactive Media ===
Katz joined [[Fox Entertainment Group]] in 2003.  During this time, Katz was one of "four rising stars"<ref name="Adegoke">{{Cite news|last=Adegoke|first=Yinka|date=2011-04-08|title=SPECIAL REPORT - How News Corp got lost in Myspace|language=en|work=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/idINIndia-56207420110408|access-date=2021-06-23}}</ref> selected by News Corp CEO [[Rupert Murdoch]] to look at possible ways to use the web to distribute News Corp’s content to new audiences.  Together with [[Ross Levinsohn]], Adam Bain and Michael Kirby, Katz founded [[Fox Interactive Media]], and was given a "war chest of $2 billion" to acquire digital businesses, including MySpace, [[Photobucket]], [[Rotten Tomatoes]], and [[IGN]].<ref name="Adegoke"/> Within a year, Fox Interactive Media had overtaken Yahoo! to be the most visited property on the Internet.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Fox Interactive Media Ranks #1 in Page Views; Yahoo! Sites Attract the Most Unique Visitors {{!}} Comscore, Inc.|url=https://ir.comscore.com/news-releases/news-release-details/fox-interactive-media-ranks-1-page-views-yahoo-sites-attract|access-date=2021-06-23|website=ir.comscore.com|language=en}}</ref>
Katz joined [[Fox Entertainment Group]] in 2003 to work on corporate and business development, including the launch of action sports network, [[FUEL TV|FUEL]].  During this time, Katz was identified by CEO [[Rupert Murdoch]] as one of "four rising stars"<ref name="Adegoke">{{Cite news|last=Adegoke|first=Yinka|date=2011-04-08|title=SPECIAL REPORT - How News Corp got lost in Myspace|language=en|work=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/idINIndia-56207420110408|access-date=2021-06-23}}</ref> asked by Murdoch to develop a strategy for how to use the web to distribute News Corp’s content to new audiences.  Together with [[Ross Levinsohn]], Adam Bain and Michael Kirby, Katz founded [[Fox Interactive Media]], and was given a "war chest of $2 billion" to acquire digital businesses, including MySpace, [[Photobucket]], [[Rotten Tomatoes]], and [[IGN]].<ref name="Adegoke"/> Within a year of launching the business, Fox Interactive Media had overtaken Yahoo! to be the most visited property on the Internet.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Fox Interactive Media Ranks #1 in Page Views; Yahoo! Sites Attract the Most Unique Visitors {{!}} Comscore, Inc.|url=https://ir.comscore.com/news-releases/news-release-details/fox-interactive-media-ranks-1-page-views-yahoo-sites-attract|access-date=2021-06-23|website=ir.comscore.com|language=en}}</ref>


=== MySpace ===
=== MySpace ===
In February 2006, Katz joined social media company [[Myspace|MySpace]] to lead the company's expansion outside of the United States. By January 2007, Katz had launched the MySpace business in 11 countries, and 25% of MySpace's 325,000 new sign ups were coming from outside the US.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2007-01-28|title=MySpace clicks to Canada and Mexico|url=https://www.ft.com/content/c95d9e72-aef0-11db-a446-0000779e2340|access-date=2021-06-23|website=www.ft.com|language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Alabaster|first=Julia Angwin and Jay|date=2006-11-08|title=MySpace Adds a Friend in Japan|language=en-US|work=Wall Street Journal|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB116290234314615478|access-date=2021-06-23|issn=0099-9660}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Li|first=Kenneth|date=2007-01-24|title=MySpace to speed overseas expansion in '07|language=en|work=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-myspace-international-idUKMOL46866820070124|access-date=2021-06-23}}</ref> By 2008, Katz had launched MySpace in 29 countries, and had taken over international operations for other News Corp digital brands, including IGN and Rotten Tomatoes.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Kafka|first=Peter|title=MySpace Frantically Talking Up International Growth, Again|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/2008/4/myspace-frantically-talking-up-international-growth-again|access-date=2021-06-23|website=Business Insider|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Nam|first=In-Soo|date=2008-04-16|title=Global Growth Is Expected To Bolster MySpace Revenue|language=en-US|work=Wall Street Journal|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB120830011886117565|access-date=2021-06-23|issn=0099-9660}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=MySpace International Head Travis Katz Is Out (Updated)|url=https://social.techcrunch.com/2009/06/23/myspace-international-head-travis-katz-is-out/|access-date=2021-06-23|website=TechCrunch|language=en-US}}</ref> Katz left MySpace in July 2009.<ref>{{Cite web|last1=July 16|first1=Tristan O'Carroll|last2=2009|title=MySpace confirms international chief Katz's departure|url=https://www.campaignlive.com/article/myspace-confirms-international-chief-katzs-departure/920773?utm_source=website&utm_medium=social|access-date=2021-06-23|website=www.campaignlive.com}}</ref>
In February 2006, Katz joined social media company [[Myspace|MySpace]] to lead the company's expansion outside of the United States. By January 2007, Katz had launched the MySpace business in 11 countries, and 25% of MySpace's 325,000 new sign ups were coming from outside the US.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2007-01-28|title=MySpace clicks to Canada and Mexico|url=https://www.ft.com/content/c95d9e72-aef0-11db-a446-0000779e2340|access-date=2021-06-23|website=www.ft.com|language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news| author1=Julia Angwin | author1-link=Julia Angwin | author2=Jay Alabaster|date=2006-11-08|title=MySpace Adds a Friend in Japan|language=en-US|work=Wall Street Journal|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB116290234314615478|access-date=2021-06-23|issn=0099-9660}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Li|first=Kenneth|date=2007-01-24|title=MySpace to speed overseas expansion in '07|language=en|work=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-myspace-international-idUKMOL46866820070124|access-date=2021-06-23}}</ref> By 2008, Katz had launched MySpace in 29 countries, and had taken over international operations for other News Corp digital brands, including IGN and Rotten Tomatoes.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Kafka|first=Peter|title=MySpace Frantically Talking Up International Growth, Again|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/2008/4/myspace-frantically-talking-up-international-growth-again|access-date=2021-06-23|website=Business Insider|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Nam|first=In-Soo|date=2008-04-16|title=Global Growth Is Expected To Bolster MySpace Revenue|language=en-US|work=Wall Street Journal|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB120830011886117565|access-date=2021-06-23|issn=0099-9660}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=MySpace International Head Travis Katz Is Out (Updated)|url=https://techcrunch.com/2009/06/23/myspace-international-head-travis-katz-is-out/|access-date=2021-06-23|website=TechCrunch|date=23 June 2009 |language=en-US}}</ref> Katz left MySpace in July 2009.<ref>{{Cite web|date=July 16, 2009|first=Tristan|last=O'Carroll|title=MySpace confirms international chief Katz's departure|url=https://www.campaignlive.com/article/myspace-confirms-international-chief-katzs-departure/920773|access-date=2021-06-23|website=www.campaignlive.com}}</ref>


=== Trip.com ===
=== Trip.com ===
[[File:Travis_Katz_Onstage_at_the_Crunchies_Awards_with_Ori_Zaltzman.jpg|thumb|Travis Katz Accepting the Crunchies Award for Trip.com with Co-Founder Ori Zaltzman]]
In 2010, Katz launched an online travel company, Gogobot,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Gogobot CEO Travis Katz Talks About Beta Launch of Social Travel Site|url=http://allthingsd.com/20101116/gogobot-ceo-travis-katz-talks-about-beta-launch-of-social-travel-site/|access-date=2021-06-23|website=AllThingsD|language=en-US}}</ref> later rebranded [[Trip.com]].<ref name="Schaal">{{Cite web|
In 2010, Katz launched an online travel company, Gogobot,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Gogobot CEO Travis Katz Talks About Beta Launch of Social Travel Site|url=http://allthingsd.com/20101116/gogobot-ceo-travis-katz-talks-about-beta-launch-of-social-travel-site/|access-date=2021-06-23|website=AllThingsD|language=en-US}}</ref> later rebranded [[Trip.com]].<ref name="Schaal">{{Cite web|
last=Schaal|first=Dennis|date=2016-11-17|title=Gogobot Rebrands to Trip.com With Artificial Intelligence App|url=https://skift.com/2016/11/17/gogobot-rebrands-to-trip-com-with-artificial-intelligence-app/|access-date=2021-06-23|website=Skift|language=en-US}}</ref> Trip.com used artificial intelligence to provide travelers with real time recommendations based on their interests, location, weather and other signals.<ref name="Schaal"/> The site raised $39M over 3 rounds from [[Redpoint Ventures]], [[HomeAway]], [[Battery Ventures]] and [[Innovation Endeavors]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Rey|first=Jason Del|date=2014-11-12|title=HomeAway Leads $20 Million Investment in Gogobot|url=https://www.vox.com/2014/11/12/11632822/homeaway-leads-20-million-investment-in-gogobot|access-date=2021-06-23|website=Vox|language=en}}</ref> In October 2017, Trip.com was acquired by Chinese travel company Ctrip and became that company's flagship brand outside of China. At the time of the acquisition, Ctrip reported the site had 60 million users.<ref name="O'Neill">{{Cite web|last=O'Neill|first=Sean|date=2017-11-01|title=Ctrip Buys Trip.com for Skyscanner to Enhance Local Recommendations|url=https://skift.com/2017/11/01/ctrip-buys-trip-com-for-skyscanner-to-enhance-local-recommendations/|access-date=2021-06-23|website=Skift|language=en-US}}</ref> Following the acquisition, Katz worked as vice president of product for [[Skyscanner]], a Ctrip company, where Trip.com's reviews and photos were integrated.<ref>{{cite news |last1=O'Neill |first1=Sean |title=Why Skyscanner Is Closing Its Stand-Alone Local Recommendations App |url=https://www.yahoo.com/now/why-skyscanner-closing-standalone-local-050024136.html |access-date=14 December 2021 |work=Skift |publisher=Yahoo |date=13 August 2019}}</ref>
last=Schaal|first=Dennis|date=2016-11-17|title=Gogobot Rebrands to Trip.com With Artificial Intelligence App|url=https://skift.com/2016/11/17/gogobot-rebrands-to-trip-com-with-artificial-intelligence-app/|access-date=2021-06-23|website=Skift|language=en-US}}</ref> Trip.com used artificial intelligence to provide travelers with real time recommendations based on their interests, location, weather and other signals.<ref name="Schaal"/> The site raised $39M over 3 rounds from [[Redpoint Ventures]], [[HomeAway]], [[Battery Ventures]] and [[Innovation Endeavors]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Rey|first=Jason Del|date=2014-11-12|title=HomeAway Leads $20 Million Investment in Gogobot|url=https://www.vox.com/2014/11/12/11632822/homeaway-leads-20-million-investment-in-gogobot|access-date=2021-06-23|website=Vox|language=en}}</ref> In October 2017, Trip.com was acquired by Chinese travel company Ctrip and became that company's flagship brand outside of China. At the time of the acquisition, Ctrip reported the site had 60 million users.<ref name="O'Neill">{{Cite web|last=O'Neill|first=Sean|date=2017-11-01|title=Ctrip Buys Trip.com for Skyscanner to Enhance Local Recommendations|url=https://skift.com/2017/11/01/ctrip-buys-trip-com-for-skyscanner-to-enhance-local-recommendations/|access-date=2021-06-23|website=Skift|language=en-US}}</ref> Following the acquisition, Katz worked as vice president of product for [[Skyscanner]], a Ctrip company, where Trip.com's reviews and photos were integrated.<ref>{{cite news |last1=O'Neill |first1=Sean |title=Why Skyscanner Is Closing Its Stand-Alone Local Recommendations App |url=https://www.yahoo.com/now/why-skyscanner-closing-standalone-local-050024136.html |access-date=14 December 2021 |work=Skift |publisher=Yahoo |date=13 August 2019}}</ref>


=== BrightDrop ===
=== BrightDrop ===
In 2020, Katz joined as CEO and President of BrightDrop, an electric vehicle company, backed by General Motors, targeting commercial delivery.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Wayland|first=Michael|date=2021-01-12|title=General Motors unveils EV van as part of new commercial business unit|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2021/01/12/gm-unveils-ev-van-as-part-of-new-commercial-unit-fedex-first-customer.html|access-date=2021-06-23|website=CNBC|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=GM targets delivery companies with new EV business unit BrightDrop|url=https://social.techcrunch.com/2021/01/12/gm-targets-delivery-companies-with-new-ev-business-unit-brightdrop/|access-date=2021-06-23|website=TechCrunch|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=StackPath|url=https://www.industryweek.com/leadership/growth-strategies/article/21152212/general-motors-reveals-new-commercial-delivery-ev-brand-company-logo|access-date=2021-06-23|website=www.industryweek.com}}</ref>
In 2020, Katz joined as founding CEO and President of BrightDrop, a new electric vehicle company, backed by General Motors, targeting commercial delivery.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Wayland|first=Michael|date=2021-01-12|title=General Motors unveils EV van as part of new commercial business unit|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2021/01/12/gm-unveils-ev-van-as-part-of-new-commercial-unit-fedex-first-customer.html|access-date=2021-06-23|website=CNBC|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=GM targets delivery companies with new EV business unit BrightDrop|url=https://techcrunch.com/2021/01/12/gm-targets-delivery-companies-with-new-ev-business-unit-brightdrop/|access-date=2021-06-23|website=TechCrunch|date=12 January 2021 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=StackPath|url=https://www.industryweek.com/leadership/growth-strategies/article/21152212/general-motors-reveals-new-commercial-delivery-ev-brand-company-logo|access-date=2021-06-23|website=www.industryweek.com|date=13 January 2021 }}</ref> The vision was to combine the speed and agility of a Silicon Valley startup with GM's scale and strengths in manufacturing and supply chain.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Electrifying Last Mile Deliveries Can Create a More Sustainable Supply Chain |url=https://sponsored.bloomberg.com/article/GM/Electrifying-Last-Mile-Deliveries-Can-Create-a-More-Sustainable-Supply-Chain |access-date=2024-02-12 |website=Bloomberg |language=en-us}}</ref> GM committed $800M up front to get the venture off the ground and build out the factory in Ingersol, Ontario.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Zimmerman |first=Max and Michael Bellusci |date=2021-01-18 |title=GM to invest nearly US$800M to bring EV output to Ontario plant - BNN Bloomberg |url=https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/gm-to-invest-nearly-800m-to-bring-ev-output-to-ontario-plant-1.1549481 |access-date=2024-02-12 |website=BNN}}</ref>

⚫
Under Katz's leadership, the company delivered its first electric vehicles, the Zevo 600, to [[FedEx]] in December 2021, just twenty months from the vehicle's conception, making it the fastest vehicle to market in GM's history.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Holland |first1=Frank |title=FedEx gets first of 500 electric trucks from GM's EV unit in a major advance for green logistics |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2021/12/17/fedex-gets-first-of-500-electric-trucks-from-gms-ev-unit-in-move-to-green-logistics.html |access-date=23 December 2021 |work=CNBC |date=17 December 2021 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Ramey |first1=Jay |title=FedEx Gets Its First BrightDrop EV Vans |url=https://www.autoweek.com/news/green-cars/a38567822/fedex-brighdrop-ev600-electric-delivery-van/ |access-date=23 December 2021 |work=Autoweek |date=20 December 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Jean-Baptiste |first=Christine |date=2022-06-22 |title=FedEx takes delivery of its first 150 BrightDrop EV delivery vans |url=https://www.teslarati.com/fedex-takes-delivery-of-its-first-150-brightdrop-ev-delivery-vans/ |access-date=2024-02-12 |website=TESLARATI |language=en-US}}</ref> BrightDrop secured contracts with FedEx, [[Walmart]]<ref>{{cite news |last1=Packer |first1=Peggy |date=11 January 2022 |title=Walmart Taps BrightDrop to Optimize Delivery Fleet With Electric Vehicles; Travis Katz and Tom Ward Discuss |url=https://www.delimarketnews.com/behind-counter/walmart-taps-brightdrop-optimize-delivery-fleet-electric-vehicles-travis-katz-and-tom-ward-discuss/peggy-packer/tue-01112022-0850/12878 |access-date=18 January 2022 |work=Deli Market News |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Hawkins |first1=Andrew J. |date=5 January 2022 |title=Walmart and FedEx ordering thousands of electric delivery vans from GM's BrightDrop |url=https://www.theverge.com/2022/1/5/22867087/walmart-brightdrop-electric-delivery-van-gm-fedex |access-date=18 January 2022 |work=The Verge |language=en}}</ref> and Merchants Fleet,<ref name="Walford">{{cite news |last1=Walford |first1=Lynn |date=4 October 2021 |title=GM's BrightDrop Efficiently Electrifying First And Last-Mile Deliveries - CEO Travis Katz |url=https://www.autofutures.tv/2021/10/04/gms-brightdrop-efficiently-electrifying-first-and-last-mile-deliveries-ceo-travis-katz/ |access-date=23 December 2021 |work=Auto Futures}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Alamalhodaei |first1=Aria |date=18 November 2021 |title=GM's electric delivery unit BrightDrop expands deal with Merchants Fleet |url=https://techcrunch.com/2021/11/18/gms-electric-delivery-unit-brightdrop-expands-deal-with-merchants-fleet/ |access-date=18 January 2022 |work=TechCrunch}}</ref> as well as an agreement to develop service vehicles for [[Verizon]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=LaReau |first1=Jamie L. |date=28 September 2021 |title=GM's startup, BrightDrop, to make new EV service van for Verizon |url=https://www.freep.com/story/money/cars/general-motors/2021/09/28/brightdrop-gm-service-van-ev-410-verizon/5886998001/ |access-date=23 December 2021 |work=Detroit Free Press}}</ref><ref name="Walford" /> In November, 2022, GM announced BrightDrop was on track to deliver $1 billion in revenue in 2023, making it one of the fastest companies in history to achieve this milestone.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Trop |first=Jaclyn |date=2022-11-17 |title=BrightDrop is tracking $1 billion revenue in 2023 |url=https://techcrunch.com/2022/11/17/brightdrop-is-tracking-1-billion-revenue-in-2023/ |access-date=2022-11-20 |website=TechCrunch |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Holland |first=Frank |title=GM EV unit BrightDrop expects $1 billion in 2023 revenue, mass production of all-electric delivery vans to start in December |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2022/11/17/gm-ev-unit-brightdrop-forecasts-1-billion-in-2023-revenue.html |access-date=2022-11-20 |website=CNBC |date=17 November 2022 |language=en}}</ref>


In November, 2023, following a commitment by GM to cut $3B in expenses,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lombaerde |first=Geert De |date=2023-07-25 |title=GM Doubles Down on Cost Savings, Trims $1B From Capex Plan |url=https://www.industryweek.com/leadership/companies-executives/article/21270202/gm-doubles-down-on-cost-savings-trims-1b-from-capex-plan |access-date=2024-02-12 |website=IndustryWeek}}</ref> the company announced it was reorganizing its BrightDrop electric commercial vehicle unit to make it less independent from GM, but would continue to manufacture the BrightDrop vans. It announced that Katz would be leaving at an unspecified date, but did not elaborate on the reason for his departure.<ref>{{Cite web |title=GM reorganizes BrightDrop EV unit, business head leaving |website=[[Reuters]] |url=https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/gm-confirms-ceo-commercial-electric-vehicle-unit-brightdrop-has-left-2023-11-16/ |access-date=2024-04-05}} </ref>
⚫
Under Katz's leadership, BrightDrop secured contracts with [[Walmart]]<ref>{{cite news |last1=Packer |first1=Peggy |title=Walmart Taps BrightDrop to Optimize Delivery Fleet With Electric Vehicles; Travis Katz and Tom Ward Discuss |url=https://www.delimarketnews.com/behind-counter/walmart-taps-brightdrop-optimize-delivery-fleet-electric-vehicles-travis-katz-and-tom-ward-discuss/peggy-packer/tue-01112022-0850/12878 |access-date=18 January 2022 |work=Deli Market News |date=11 January 2022 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Hawkins |first1=Andrew J. |title=Walmart and FedEx ordering thousands of electric delivery vans from GM’s BrightDrop |url=https://www.theverge.com/2022/1/5/22867087/walmart-brightdrop-electric-delivery-van-gm-fedex |access-date=18 January 2022 |work=The Verge |date=5 January 2022 |language=en}}</ref> and Merchants Fleet,<ref name="Walford">{{cite news |last1=Walford |first1=Lynn |title=GM's BrightDrop Efficiently Electrifying First And Last-Mile Deliveries - CEO Travis Katz |url=https://www.autofutures.tv/2021/10/04/gms-brightdrop-efficiently-electrifying-first-and-last-mile-deliveries-ceo-travis-katz/ |access-date=23 December 2021 |work=Auto Futures |date=4 October 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Alamalhodaei |first1=Aria |title=GM’s electric delivery unit BrightDrop expands deal with Merchants Fleet |url=https://techcrunch.com/2021/11/18/gms-electric-delivery-unit-brightdrop-expands-deal-with-merchants-fleet/ |access-date=18 January 2022 |work=TechCrunch |date=18 November 2021}}</ref> as well as an agreement to develop service vehicles for [[Verizon]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=LaReau |first1=Jamie L. |title=GM's startup, BrightDrop, to make new EV service van for Verizon |url=https://www.freep.com/story/money/cars/general-motors/2021/09/28/brightdrop-gm-service-van-ev-410-verizon/5886998001/ |access-date=23 December 2021 |work=Detroit Free Press |date=28 September 2021}}</ref><ref name="Walford"/> The company also delivered its first vehicles, purpose-built for commercial delivery, to [[FedEx]] in December 2021.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Holland |first1=Frank |title=FedEx gets first of 500 electric trucks from GM's EV unit in a major advance for green logistics |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2021/12/17/fedex-gets-first-of-500-electric-trucks-from-gms-ev-unit-in-move-to-green-logistics.html |access-date=23 December 2021 |work=CNBC |date=17 December 2021 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Ramey |first1=Jay |title=FedEx Gets Its First BrightDrop EV Vans |url=https://www.autoweek.com/news/green-cars/a38567822/fedex-brighdrop-ev600-electric-delivery-van/ |access-date=23 December 2021 |work=Autoweek |date=20 December 2021}}</ref>


== Personal life ==
== Personal life ==
Katz lives with his family in [[Menlo Park, California]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=2015-09-21|title=Travel Style: Travis Katz -|url=https://www.johnnyjet.com/travel-style-travis-katz/|access-date=2021-06-29|website=Johnny Jet|language=en-US}}</ref> He is an active traveler who has visited more than 54 countries.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-02-21|title=TRAVELER INTERVIEWS {{!}} GOGOBOT CEO TRAVIS KATZ|url=http://beersandbeans.com/2011/02/21/traveler-interviews-gogobot-ceo-travis-katz/|url-status=live|access-date=2021-07-17|website=beersandbeans.com}}</ref> He met his wife on a camel safari in [[Jaisalmer]], India.<ref>{{Cite web|title=GANT Lookout - Travis Katz on Smart Traveling|url=https://www.gant.com/lookout/the-lookout-issue-14/ss16-the-feature-14|access-date=2021-07-17|website=www.gant.com}}</ref>
Katz lives with his family in [[Menlo Park, California]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=2015-09-21|title=Travel Style: Travis Katz -|url=https://www.johnnyjet.com/travel-style-travis-katz/|access-date=2021-06-29|website=Johnny Jet|language=en-US}}</ref> He is an active traveler who has visited more than 54 countries.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-02-21|title=TRAVELER INTERVIEWS {{!}} GOGOBOT CEO TRAVIS KATZ|url=http://beersandbeans.com/2011/02/21/traveler-interviews-gogobot-ceo-travis-katz/|access-date=2021-07-17|website=beersandbeans.com}}</ref> He met his wife on a camel safari in [[Jaisalmer]], India.<ref>{{Cite web|title=GANT Lookout - Travis Katz on Smart Traveling|url=https://www.gant.com/lookout/the-lookout-issue-14/ss16-the-feature-14|access-date=2021-07-17|website=www.gant.com}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
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[[Category:American technology chief executives]]
[[Category:American technology chief executives]]
[[Category:Stanford University alumni]]
[[Category:Stanford University alumni]]
[[Category:Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania alumni]]
[[Category:Wharton School alumni]]

Latest revision as of 18:14, 5 November 2024

Travis Katz
NationalityAmerican
EducationStanford University; Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania
OccupationEntrepreneur
Known forFounder and CEO, Trip.com
TitlePresident and CEO, BrightDrop

Travis Katz (born 1971) is an American technology entrepreneur and investor.[1]  He is currently the General Manager of Shopping for YouTube.[2] Katz served as the President and CEO of GM-backed electric vehicle maker BrightDrop,[3] co-founded Fox Interactive Media, led the global expansion of social networking site MySpace, and was co-founder and CEO of online travel site Trip.com, which was acquired by CTrip in 2017.

Early life and education

[edit]

Travis Katz grew up in Englewood, Colorado.[4] Katz attended Stanford University, where he graduated with a degree in Public Policy. He later attended the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania, where he graduated with an MBA in 2001, earning deans' list honors.[5]

Career

[edit]

World Bank

[edit]

Katz started his career at the World Bank in Washington, D.C., where he focused his research on decentralization and urban development in Latin America. He co-authored a number of case studies with Tim Campbell on improving city governance and urban innovation in Latin America and the Caribbean,[6][7] and co-organized the first ever Latin American Conference of Mayors, bringing together mayors of major cities from throughout the region to exchange learnings and best practices. From there, Katz joined a joint program of the World Bank and the United Nations Development Program focused on improving access to clean water and sanitation in the developing world. While there he co-authored with Jennifer Sara a widely cited report on how improve the sustainability of investments in rural water supply, based on field research Katz oversaw in Africa, Asia and Latin America.[8]

Fox Interactive Media

[edit]

Katz joined Fox Entertainment Group in 2003 to work on corporate and business development, including the launch of action sports network, FUEL.  During this time, Katz was identified by CEO Rupert Murdoch as one of "four rising stars"[9] asked by Murdoch to develop a strategy for how to use the web to distribute News Corp’s content to new audiences.  Together with Ross Levinsohn, Adam Bain and Michael Kirby, Katz founded Fox Interactive Media, and was given a "war chest of $2 billion" to acquire digital businesses, including MySpace, Photobucket, Rotten Tomatoes, and IGN.[9] Within a year of launching the business, Fox Interactive Media had overtaken Yahoo! to be the most visited property on the Internet.[10]

MySpace

[edit]

In February 2006, Katz joined social media company MySpace to lead the company's expansion outside of the United States. By January 2007, Katz had launched the MySpace business in 11 countries, and 25% of MySpace's 325,000 new sign ups were coming from outside the US.[11][12][13] By 2008, Katz had launched MySpace in 29 countries, and had taken over international operations for other News Corp digital brands, including IGN and Rotten Tomatoes.[14][15][16] Katz left MySpace in July 2009.[17]

Trip.com

[edit]
Travis Katz Accepting the Crunchies Award for Trip.com with Co-Founder Ori Zaltzman

In 2010, Katz launched an online travel company, Gogobot,[18] later rebranded Trip.com.[19] Trip.com used artificial intelligence to provide travelers with real time recommendations based on their interests, location, weather and other signals.[19] The site raised $39M over 3 rounds from Redpoint Ventures, HomeAway, Battery Ventures and Innovation Endeavors.[20] In October 2017, Trip.com was acquired by Chinese travel company Ctrip and became that company's flagship brand outside of China. At the time of the acquisition, Ctrip reported the site had 60 million users.[21] Following the acquisition, Katz worked as vice president of product for Skyscanner, a Ctrip company, where Trip.com's reviews and photos were integrated.[22]

BrightDrop

[edit]

In 2020, Katz joined as founding CEO and President of BrightDrop, a new electric vehicle company, backed by General Motors, targeting commercial delivery.[23][24][25] The vision was to combine the speed and agility of a Silicon Valley startup with GM's scale and strengths in manufacturing and supply chain.[26] GM committed $800M up front to get the venture off the ground and build out the factory in Ingersol, Ontario.[27]

Under Katz's leadership, the company delivered its first electric vehicles, the Zevo 600, to FedEx in December 2021, just twenty months from the vehicle's conception, making it the fastest vehicle to market in GM's history.[28][29][30] BrightDrop secured contracts with FedEx, Walmart[31][32] and Merchants Fleet,[33][34] as well as an agreement to develop service vehicles for Verizon.[35][33] In November, 2022, GM announced BrightDrop was on track to deliver $1 billion in revenue in 2023, making it one of the fastest companies in history to achieve this milestone.[36][37]

In November, 2023, following a commitment by GM to cut $3B in expenses,[38] the company announced it was reorganizing its BrightDrop electric commercial vehicle unit to make it less independent from GM, but would continue to manufacture the BrightDrop vans. It announced that Katz would be leaving at an unspecified date, but did not elaborate on the reason for his departure.[39]

Personal life

[edit]

Katz lives with his family in Menlo Park, California.[40] He is an active traveler who has visited more than 54 countries.[41] He met his wife on a camel safari in Jaisalmer, India.[42]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "GM Launches BrightDrop, a New Business That Will Electrify and Improve the Delivery of Goods and Services | General Motors Company". investor.gm.com. Retrieved 2021-06-23.
  2. ^ "LinkedIn". LinkedIN.
  3. ^ Brown, Chris. "How GM's New BrightDrop EV Business Will Work with Fleets". www.fleetforward.com. Retrieved 2021-06-23.
  4. ^ "Travel Style: Travis Katz -". Johnny Jet. 2015-09-21. Retrieved 2021-06-29.
  5. ^ "Bloomberg Profile: Travis Katz". Bloomberg.
  6. ^ Katz, Travis; Campbell, Tim (1995). "The City Manager Experience in the U.S.: Perspectives on Improving Local Government in LAC". Reports.
  7. ^ Campbell, Tim (2004). Leadership and Innovation in Subnational Government. World Bank Institute. pp. 69–98. ISBN 0-8213-5707-7.
  8. ^ Katz, Travis; Sara, Jennifer. "Making rural water supply sustainable : recommendations from a global study" (PDF). {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  9. ^ a b Adegoke, Yinka (2011-04-08). "SPECIAL REPORT - How News Corp got lost in Myspace". Reuters. Retrieved 2021-06-23.
  10. ^ "Fox Interactive Media Ranks #1 in Page Views; Yahoo! Sites Attract the Most Unique Visitors | Comscore, Inc". ir.comscore.com. Retrieved 2021-06-23.
  11. ^ "MySpace clicks to Canada and Mexico". www.ft.com. 2007-01-28. Retrieved 2021-06-23.
  12. ^ Julia Angwin; Jay Alabaster (2006-11-08). "MySpace Adds a Friend in Japan". Wall Street Journal. ISSN 0099-9660. Retrieved 2021-06-23.
  13. ^ Li, Kenneth (2007-01-24). "MySpace to speed overseas expansion in '07". Reuters. Retrieved 2021-06-23.
  14. ^ Kafka, Peter. "MySpace Frantically Talking Up International Growth, Again". Business Insider. Retrieved 2021-06-23.
  15. ^ Nam, In-Soo (2008-04-16). "Global Growth Is Expected To Bolster MySpace Revenue". Wall Street Journal. ISSN 0099-9660. Retrieved 2021-06-23.
  16. ^ "MySpace International Head Travis Katz Is Out (Updated)". TechCrunch. 23 June 2009. Retrieved 2021-06-23.
  17. ^ O'Carroll, Tristan (July 16, 2009). "MySpace confirms international chief Katz's departure". www.campaignlive.com. Retrieved 2021-06-23.
  18. ^ "Gogobot CEO Travis Katz Talks About Beta Launch of Social Travel Site". AllThingsD. Retrieved 2021-06-23.
  19. ^ a b Schaal, Dennis (2016-11-17). "Gogobot Rebrands to Trip.com With Artificial Intelligence App". Skift. Retrieved 2021-06-23.
  20. ^ Rey, Jason Del (2014-11-12). "HomeAway Leads $20 Million Investment in Gogobot". Vox. Retrieved 2021-06-23.
  21. ^ O'Neill, Sean (2017-11-01). "Ctrip Buys Trip.com for Skyscanner to Enhance Local Recommendations". Skift. Retrieved 2021-06-23.
  22. ^ O'Neill, Sean (13 August 2019). "Why Skyscanner Is Closing Its Stand-Alone Local Recommendations App". Skift. Yahoo. Retrieved 14 December 2021.
  23. ^ Wayland, Michael (2021-01-12). "General Motors unveils EV van as part of new commercial business unit". CNBC. Retrieved 2021-06-23.
  24. ^ "GM targets delivery companies with new EV business unit BrightDrop". TechCrunch. 12 January 2021. Retrieved 2021-06-23.
  25. ^ "StackPath". www.industryweek.com. 13 January 2021. Retrieved 2021-06-23.
  26. ^ "Electrifying Last Mile Deliveries Can Create a More Sustainable Supply Chain". Bloomberg. Retrieved 2024-02-12.
  27. ^ Zimmerman, Max and Michael Bellusci (2021-01-18). "GM to invest nearly US$800M to bring EV output to Ontario plant - BNN Bloomberg". BNN. Retrieved 2024-02-12.
  28. ^ Holland, Frank (17 December 2021). "FedEx gets first of 500 electric trucks from GM's EV unit in a major advance for green logistics". CNBC. Retrieved 23 December 2021.
  29. ^ Ramey, Jay (20 December 2021). "FedEx Gets Its First BrightDrop EV Vans". Autoweek. Retrieved 23 December 2021.
  30. ^ Jean-Baptiste, Christine (2022-06-22). "FedEx takes delivery of its first 150 BrightDrop EV delivery vans". TESLARATI. Retrieved 2024-02-12.
  31. ^ Packer, Peggy (11 January 2022). "Walmart Taps BrightDrop to Optimize Delivery Fleet With Electric Vehicles; Travis Katz and Tom Ward Discuss". Deli Market News. Retrieved 18 January 2022.
  32. ^ Hawkins, Andrew J. (5 January 2022). "Walmart and FedEx ordering thousands of electric delivery vans from GM's BrightDrop". The Verge. Retrieved 18 January 2022.
  33. ^ a b Walford, Lynn (4 October 2021). "GM's BrightDrop Efficiently Electrifying First And Last-Mile Deliveries - CEO Travis Katz". Auto Futures. Retrieved 23 December 2021.
  34. ^ Alamalhodaei, Aria (18 November 2021). "GM's electric delivery unit BrightDrop expands deal with Merchants Fleet". TechCrunch. Retrieved 18 January 2022.
  35. ^ LaReau, Jamie L. (28 September 2021). "GM's startup, BrightDrop, to make new EV service van for Verizon". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved 23 December 2021.
  36. ^ Trop, Jaclyn (2022-11-17). "BrightDrop is tracking $1 billion revenue in 2023". TechCrunch. Retrieved 2022-11-20.
  37. ^ Holland, Frank (17 November 2022). "GM EV unit BrightDrop expects $1 billion in 2023 revenue, mass production of all-electric delivery vans to start in December". CNBC. Retrieved 2022-11-20.
  38. ^ Lombaerde, Geert De (2023-07-25). "GM Doubles Down on Cost Savings, Trims $1B From Capex Plan". IndustryWeek. Retrieved 2024-02-12.
  39. ^ "GM reorganizes BrightDrop EV unit, business head leaving". Reuters. Retrieved 2024-04-05.
  40. ^ "Travel Style: Travis Katz -". Johnny Jet. 2015-09-21. Retrieved 2021-06-29.
  41. ^ "TRAVELER INTERVIEWS | GOGOBOT CEO TRAVIS KATZ". beersandbeans.com. 2021-02-21. Retrieved 2021-07-17.
  42. ^ "GANT Lookout - Travis Katz on Smart Traveling". www.gant.com. Retrieved 2021-07-17.
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