People news 15 September 2016
The latest people news from the egaming industry in the last seven days (9 September to 15 September 2016)
Playtech installs Sports management team with Betfair and OpenBet hires
Supplier appoints COO, CTO and product director as part of plans to unify sportsbook division
Playtech has installed a new management team for its Sports division after making a trio of senior appointments from the likes of Paddy Power Betfair and OpenBet.
Experienced trading director Richard Andrew has been hired as Playtech Sports chief operating officer and joins the supplier after leading trading operations at Ladbrokes and, most recently, The Hong Kong Jockey Club.
Danny Angus has also joined as chief technical officer from OpenBet, where he had been responsible for all of OpenBet’s in-venue technology in his role as product director.
Meanwhile, Paddy Power Betfair’s product lead manager for exchange and sportsbook, Eoin Redmond, will join Playtech on 1 October as sportsbook product director. Redmond previously had spells at Full Tilt and IBM.
Ladbrokes Australia CEO Shannon departs
Ladbrokes Australia chief executive Dean Shannon is set to leave the firm next year to be replaced by the operator’s chief operating officer (COO) Paul Cherry, it was announced this week.
Shannon has served as the operator’s CEO since September 2013 when he sold Bookmaker.com.au – which he founded in February 2012 – to Ladbrokes for AU$22.5m.
He will vacate his role in February 2017 due to “personal reasons” and continue to serve as an adviser to support the growth of the business and Cherry’s transition as CEO.
Seven days in people news:
Activision Blizzard hires Pete Vlastelica to lead eSports team
Activision Blizzard has appointed FOX Sports executive Pete Vlastelica as president and CEO of its eSports division Major League Gaming (MLG).
In his new role, Vlastelica will be responsible for the company’s broadcast, content and distribution leadership across the global esports ecosystem.
“We continue to add to our all-star esports leadership team. Pete is an entrepreneurial leader with a history of creating inspired content and developing new digital channels of distribution,” said Bobby Kotick, CEO of Activision Blizzard, said.
“As we continue to build MLG into the premier esports network, Pete will further our mission celebrating the accomplishments of gamers worldwide.”
AGA hires new VP of public affairs
The American Gaming Association (AGA) has hired Erik Balsbaugh as its new vice president of public affairs.
Balsbaugh will be responsible for advancing AGA’s day-to-day public affairs efforts, including campaigns to change federal sports betting law.
“Erik brings sharp campaigns skills and unmatched experience, including working on gaming issues in Massachusetts, that will help AGA and the industry achieve its most important goals over the coming months and years,” said Sara Rayme, senior vice president of public affairs.
“Many in the industry already know what Erik is capable of, and we’re excited to welcome him to the AGA team.”