People news 23 April 2015
The latest people news from the egaming industry in the last seven days (17 April to 23 April 2015)
IGT hires Italian regulator Rodano as senior director
IGT has appointed Italian regulator Francesco Rodano (pictured) as a senior director of market strategies and development for its new London headquartered international team.
According to eGR sources, Rodano, who is currently head of remote gaming at Agenzia delle Dogane e dei Monopoli (AAMS), will relocate to London from Rome upon completion of his notice period with the regulator.
Rodano, who joined AAMS in June 2007, has been appointed to focus on commercial interactive strategic market development within the newly-merged business’ International division, following a deal which saw GTECH acquire IGT for $6.4bn (£4.3bn).
Playtech to hire 300 in omni-channel push
Playtech said it will add 300 new staff before the end of 2015 to support its omni-channel push, as the supplier prepares to announce a number of “significant” new deals.
The London-listed firm said it expects to announce a number of new government and non-government omni-channel contracts shortly, and will need to expand across the board to deliver.
New roles across development, operational, product, IT and customer support will be created, and will be spread across the Isle of Man-headquartered firm’s major offices.
Eurobet appoints ex-Paddys man as head of gaming
Eurobet has hired Paddy Power’s egaming product manager Alfredo Melloni as the operator’s new head of gaming.
Melloni joined the Gala Coral brand directly from Paddy Power on 26 March where he held the role of product manager for nearly three years after previously working at Italian gaming supplier Cogetech as an IT specialist.
He will report directly to Eurobet’s online business unit director Paolo Bazzocchi who manages the operator’s online customer service, sportsbook, gaming and marketing teams.
DraftKings appoints new PR director
Daily fantasy sports (DFS) giant DraftKings has bolstered its senior team with the appointment of Sabrina Macias to the role of director of PR and communications.
Macias joined the Boston-based firm earlier this week having previously worked for NASCAR, and will report directly into CEO Jason Robins.
She takes over from the reins from Femi Wasserman, who will stay on as a strategy consultant to DraftKings handling “special projects” across the organisation.
Ainsworth appoints new interactive business development manager
Ainsworth Game Technology has announced the appointment of Michael Probert as manager of interactive business development.
Probert previously served as managing director and general manager of Bally Technologies’ European interactive division.
He will be focused on further promoting the Ainsworth brand, as well as distribution of games via the firm’s GameConnect remote gaming server in regulated markets in the UK and Europe.
EveryMatrix appoints new COO
EveryMatrix has appointed Doina Stefanescu as new chief operations officer. Stefanescu replaces Jan Ridenfeldt, who has taken on the role of managing director of the Swedish branch of gaming software provider NYX Gaming Group.
Stefanescu previously led the EveryMatrix account management team. She will assume responsibility for the entire operations side of business, beginning from 1 May.