MindGeek, the internet company known for operating Pornhub, announced the resignations of CEO Feras Antoon and COO David Tassillo. The company released a statement to mainstream entertainment trade publication Variety regarding the executive changes.

Executive Departures

Feras Antoon and David Tassillo have resigned from their roles as CEO and COO of MindGeek, respectively. This information was reported by Variety on June 21, 2022, at 9:43 AM PT, and later by AVN on June 21, 2022, at 5:26 PM. A company representative informed Variety that Antoon and Tassillo are stepping down from MindGeek’s day-to-day operations after more than a decade in leadership positions with the company.

The company representative also stated that the leadership transition has been in the works since early 2022. Antoon and Tassillo will remain company shareholders. MindGeek’s executive leadership team will manage day-to-day operations on an interim basis while a search for replacements is underway. The company indicated that it is strategically positioned for long-term growth.

MindGeek is the parent company of various adult brands, including Brazzers, Pornhub, Reality Kings, and Digital Playground. The news of the executives' departure was also reported by LA Direct Models on June 21, 2022.

Company Statement and Future Plans

In its statement to Variety, MindGeek noted that it is now beginning to "invest deeply in expanding creator-first offerings" and exploring "additional opportunities for content monetization." The company currently provides hundreds of thousands of models with the opportunity to earn a living and aims to "massively expand" the number of talent it works with.

An update on June 21, 2022, at 8:00 P.M. PT, included a statement from MindGeek to The Washington Post. In this statement, MindGeek clarified that the departure of Antoon and Tassillo was unrelated to a July 13 piece by The New Yorker. The New Yorker article leveled allegations against the company, claiming it allowed explicit content involving non-consensual and underage participants to be posted on Pornhub and other sites it owns. Both Variety and The Washington Post have suggested that The New Yorker piece was a factor.

Key Facts

  • MindGeek CEO Feras Antoon and COO David Tassillo have resigned.
  • The resignations were reported by Variety on June 21, 2022.
  • Antoon and Tassillo had been in leadership positions with MindGeek for over a decade.
  • The leadership transition has been planned since early 2022.
  • Antoon and Tassillo will retain their company shareholder status.
  • MindGeek's executive leadership team will manage interim day-to-day operations.
  • The company is seeking replacements for the CEO and COO roles.
  • MindGeek plans to invest in creator-first offerings and content monetization.
  • MindGeek stated the departures are unrelated to a New Yorker article alleging non-consensual and underage content.