People news 16 May 2013
The latest people moves from the egaming industry in the last seven days (10 May to 16 May 2013)
Playtech poaches Diwip CEO to head up social division
Chief executive of Best Casino operator leaves after two years to help Playtech leverage social assets
Playtech has hired Dan Wiegenfeld, the former CEO of social casino business Diwip, in the newly-created role of head of social gaming.
Wiegenfeld, who joins after two years with the Best Casino operator, will oversee B2B and B2C social operations for the solutions giant, reporting to vice president of operations Shimon Akad.
It is unclear whether Diwip will look to replace Wiegenfeld, with the company’s founders, CTO Yaniv Gamzo and CPO Udi Kantzuker taking on his duties for the time being.
Playtech CEO Mor Weizer praised Wiegenfeld’s track record in social, describing him as “one of the most talented people in the industry”, adding that “a lot of Best Casino’s success can be attributed to him”.
Vowles to leave Ladbrokes in marketing reshuffle
Ladbrokes’ director of customer experience Stephen Vowles is to leave the operator at the end of the summer, following a restructure of its marketing operations.
The restructuring of the team has taken place in order to “ensure that [Ladbrokes] can fully leverage the resources of Ladbrokes Israel, its Tel Aviv-based digital marketing subsidiary”. The division, formerly The Nation Traffic, was acquired as part of its long-term licensing deal with Playtech for a consideration of £850,000 in March with “the aim of accelerating growth in Ladbrokes’ Digital Business”.
The opening of Ladbrokes Israel also saw the appointment of former William Hill Online COO Jim Mullen as digital director. The former New International executive will join the company in November this year, with director of channels Nick Rust handling his duties in the interim.
Seven days in people moves:
Exclusive: Mfuse reduces headcount as refocusing begins
Mobile gaming supplier Mfuse has made 19 members of staff redundant after losing a number of high-profile clients, eGaming Review has learned.
Mfuse chief executive Geoff Read expressed his “sadness” at being required to cut the firm’s headcount, but revealed the company “has been planning and building out a number of new products to take the business forward”.
Topping to remain Hills CEO until 2015 “at least”
Ralph Topping will continue in the role of William Hill chief executive “at least until the end of 2015″, the company’s chairman Gareth Davis has announced.
Speaking at the FTSE 100-listed firm’s annual general meeting yesterday, Davis said that Topping had “indicated his desire to continue as chief executive” for two years beyond the end of his current agreement.
Isle of Man names former Betex chief as head of gaming development
Former Betex chief executive Peter Greenhill has been appointed the Isle of Man’s head of egaming development following a search process lasting several months.
Greenhill, who worked as a consultant for operators including Camelot and Gala Coral, served as CEO for the Asian-facing lottery solutions provider from 2005 to 2007.
Malta’s Lotteries and Gaming Authority (LGA) has announced its new board, appointed by the country’s Parliamentary secretary for competitiveness and economic growth Edward Zammit Lewis. The new board is chaired by former LGA chief executive Mario Galea, who returns to the gaming industry after a five-year absence.
Galea is joined on the board by Rachel Tua, Caesar Grech and Ruth Trapani Galea, with Chris Cilia as vice chairman.
The Rational Group has appointed former Card Player Europe deputy editor Rebecca McAdam as senior PR manager for Full Tilt Poker. McAdam will be based in the firm’s Dublin office, reporting to head of corporate communications Eric Hollreiser, and will act as the key point of contact for media.