Paddy Power recruits one; Sportingbet and Centrebet deal completed

Irishman drunk
Irishman drunk
Unconfirmed reports that this is Woolfenden at the initiation ceremony

Paddy Power has dispelled the rumors that they’re a little slow in some facets of life by announcing the appointment of a new Marketing Director. It was only today that they announced a recruitment drive and it has resulted in Christian Woolfenden being appointed the firm’s new marketing director. CEO Paddy Kennedy commented, “I am [also] delighted that someone of Christian’s calibre has agreed to join the Paddy Power team. He is regarded as one of the top young marketeers in the UK and internationally, and his appointment illustrates both the international ambition of Paddy Power and our continued investment in talent”.

When you find out the job Woolfenden had before you do wonder why he moved on. He joins Paddy and the gang at the start of September having worked as the Global Brand Director for Bacardi. That must have meant plenty of alcohol whenever it was needed. Granted working in the online gaming industry is one place that partying is a must. Surely working in the alcohol industry means that your quota of parties is more than the average person by mid-January of each year. Although if Woolfenden brings nothing else to the industry, then his knowledge of white rum will be a sure-fire hit at any party.

The appointment came after the former incumbent Barni Evans moved over to Australia to work on the Sportsbet and International All Sports (IAS) brands. That brings us to Sportingbet that today confirmed the completion of their acquisition of Centrebet. The planned shareholder schemes were approved by all relevant parties earlier this month and it now means that the company is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sbet Australia Pty Ltd. Andrew McIver, CEO of Sportingbet commented, “We are delighted to have completed the acquisition of Centrebet which means we are now the leading bookmaker in Australia, a fast growing, regulated market. This transaction highlights the Sportingbet Group’s strategy of increasing its proportion of revenue generated from regulated markets and of geographic diversification.”