FEAR & GREED | Business News Q+A: 'This is not chapter two': same leader, very different Domain
Mar 5, 2026
Jason Pellegrino, President of Domain and former Google executive, returns to lead Domain through big change. He discusses moving from Google culture to a listed, founder-influenced business. He explains how he told staff and customers that everything has changed. He outlines integrating CoStar’s scale while running daily operations and measuring transformation.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Leaving Google For Domain Changed Leadership Fast
- Jason Pellegrino left Google after a decade to lead Domain and found the move culturally challenging but career-accelerating.
- He compared shifts from Google to Domain and earlier Pepsi experience, saying the cultural leadership lessons at Domain taught him more in a short time.
Six Months Off Gave Clarity On How To Tell Staff Everything Changed
- After a six-month break Jason returned to Domain knowing he had to convincingly tell staff and customers that everything had changed.
- He used the pause to reflect on messaging, leadership actions and the 'leadership shadow' needed to make rapid, authentic change.
This Is Not Chapter Two It’s A New Novel
- Jason framed the post-acquisition shift as writing a completely different novel, not chapter two, requiring new leader behaviors and rapid unwinding of past strategy.
- He stressed authenticity while leaning into new strengths and making quick people and strategy decisions.