Paddy Power
has appointed Gav Thompson as its new chief marketing officer, taking over the company’s brand strategic direction.
Thompson has 20 years’ experience working in strategic marketing, brand, and innovation with leading consumer brands such Guinness, PlayStation, Toyota, 3, Absolut, Pepsi, FedEx, Bacardi, O2 and giffgaff.
Andy McCue, chief executive of Paddy Power, welcomed Thompson to the company and said his “world-class marketing talent and his passion for customers, brand experiences and innovation” made Thompson a perfect match for the company.
“Gav joins at an exciting phase in the business, and will be a superb addition to a strong team,” added McCue
“I have always been a huge fan of the Paddy Power brand,” Thompson said. “The brand is over-flowing with creativity, entertainment, disruption, innovation and mischief.”
“To be asked to be CMO of such a unique proposition is a real honour. This really is my perfect job, and I cannot wait to get cracking,” Thompson added
Paddy Power approved to open betting shop in High Road, Leytonstone
Paddy Power has received approval to open its sixth betting shop in Waltham Forest despite public opposition.
In October, Paddy Power was granted a license despite more than 1,200 people signing a petition against the Irish bookmaker. But Waltham Forest council denied a change of use at 620 High Road, Leytonstone, blocking the bookmaker’s plan to open another branch.
An inspector, appointed by the Secretary of State for Communities, ruled Wednesday that “an additional betting office within the immediate area would not result in a significant alteration to the balance [of being a retail-led high street], or result in a clustering effect that would be detrimental to the retail attraction of the immediate area or wider centre.”
“The appellant operates a chain of betting offices, and although the use would not make a large contribution to local regeneration or have a significantly positive effect in tackling social deprivation, its corporate responsibility policies are clear and links with the local community are encouraged,” added the inspector.
The betting shop can operate under the condition that it won’t be open after 10pm and CCTV must be installed to prevent criminal activity.
