New CEO at Ladbrokes

[jetset]

LADBROKES APPOINTS NEW CHIEF EXECUTIVE

Glynn on the way out, Mullen on the way in.

The Board of UK online and land gambling group Ladbrokes announced Friday that it has appointed Jim Mullen as its next chief executive, taking over on April 1st from Richard Glynn.

Mullen is currently the managing director of Ladbrokes Digital having joined the business in November 2013 after three years at William Hill where he was COO of that company's online operations.

Since arriving at Ladbrokes he has led the operational transformation of Ladbrokes' Digital business delivering new products, new systems and established a strong working relationship with digital partner, Playtech.

Peter Erskine, chairman of Ladbrokes, said;

"We conducted an extensive search to identify Richard Glynn's successor. We attracted a number of strong external candidates. We wanted a combination of industry experience with strong digital skills, a proven record of operational delivery and the leadership ability to capitalise on the opportunities for growth that are now ahead of us.

"Since Jim's arrival in the business, less than 18 months ago, he has helped transform our Digital operations. He has built and led a strong team and won the respect of his colleagues and the confidence of the Board through successful delivery of a new competitive and innovative digital offer that has delivered growth.

"The Board is confident that Jim can use the leadership qualities he has displayed in the Digital team to take forward the wider Ladbrokes' business. Ladbrokes has gone through extensive change and Jim's task will be to build on the strong foundations laid and make us compete even more effectively, deliver a robust growing business and build scale. He faced tough competition from strong external candidates but emerged as the unanimous choice."

Commenting on his appointment to the top job, Mullen said:

"The business has undergone rapid change and we have laid good foundations from which to grow but there remains much to do. We have a strong brand, competitive products and excellent people throughout the business. I am looking forward to working with my colleagues to make the most of the opportunities ahead to grow the Ladbrokes business."

Richard Glynn will vacate the CEO office and leave the Board on the 31st March 2015. His successor will be paid a salary of £500,000 as chief executive and will be appointed a director of the company immediately following the conclusion of the AGM on 7 May 2015, a statement from Ladbrokes advised.

 

[Webzcas]

So this if anything solidifies their tie in with Playtech. Not good for the player or affiliates IMO. Hence the course Ladbrokes have been sailing since Mullen joined the board back in 2013.

Ladbrokes used to be such a good company to work with and also their online offerings in the early days were superb. I suppose I am a bit biased though, having starting working for them in Gibraltar a week before Ladbrokes Casino went live back in 2000.

It will be interesting to see how their aggressive online marketing will carry them forward from their hub in Tel Aviv. This IMO will further distance themselves from mediation sites such as CM when dealing with player issues. Of course there is eCOGRA, but that hasn't really been helpful to players at 888 and others in the past.

#winteriscoming

 

[conker]

wahey! A new CEO with an online background. Perhaps Ladbrokes will finally give two hoots about their online players again.

Time will tell

 

[Webzcas]

Ahem. A new CEO with a WILLIAM HILL ONLINE background. Since Mullen has been with Ladbrokes, enter Ladbrokes Partners, enter the move to Playtech.

 

[conker]

Oh, he's behind that deal is he

Oh well, more good reason to not promote them then.

 

[Webzcas]

Oh, he's behind that deal is he

Oh well, more good reason to not promote them then.

When they contact you and they will, mention tenancy only. You will then get some blurb about a test and putting through 50 players first.

My reaction was akin to

 

[Webzcas]

"Since Jim's arrival in the business, less than 18 months ago, he has helped transform our Digital operations. He has built and led a strong team and won the respect of his colleagues and the confidence of the Board through successful delivery of a new competitive and innovative digital offer that has delivered growth."

Should read:

Since Jim's arrival, Ladbrokes Partners have been founded, affiliates *****, customer service has nosedived and profits will start to go up in good time

 

[conker]

Should read:

:lolsign:

 

[KasinoKing]

Mullen is currently the managing director of Ladbrokes Digital having joined the business in November 2013 after three years at William Hill where he was COO of that company's online operations.

Since arriving at Ladbrokes he has led the operational transformation of Ladbrokes' Digital business delivering new products, new systems and established a strong working relationship with digital partner, Playtech.

Oh so NOW I know who was responsible for taking one of the best online casinos the UK has ever seen and flushing it down the toilet!
What an idiot that man is.
I bet he gets a nice golden handshake, despite the devastation he has caused.

KK

 

[fun4all]

Ladbrokes used to be such a good company to work with and also their online offerings in the early days were superb. I suppose I am a bit biased though, having starting working for them in Gibraltar a week before Ladbrokes Casino went live back in 2000.

The old microgaming casino and the old Ladbrokes poker (I mean from way back 2003-2006 kinda time, when they were a standalone site using MG poker software) were absolutely fantastic. Really top notch on every level.

The poker site took a huge nosedive around 07 when they started employing people who didn't know anything about poker (and it showed). Players left in droves. The microgaming casino continued to be great with fast cashouts, nice promotions and knowledgeable CS but as we know that all ended when playtech came aboard

 

[Webzcas]

The poker site took a huge nosedive around 07 when they started employing people who didn't know anything about poker (and it showed).

Bit more to it than that. All the big boys pulled out of the US due to the UIGEA which came into force in 2006. The player liquidity in the rest of the world was such that Ladbrokes Poker could not continue to operate outside of the then Prima Poker market due to the increased competition they then faced as a result ( ie Party Poker for one ). Thus subsequently the Ladbrokes Poker Room then joined the Prima Poker network later to be known as the Microgaming Poker Network to ensure player liquidity. This is what caused Ladbrokes Poker to nosedive as Ladbrokes then had limited control over the network, compared to what they had when they were a stand alone room.

That said, Ladbrokes were never very forward thinking in terms of online marketing, seo, affiliates etc when I worked for them in Gibraltar. However, with the move to Playtech and the opening of their Tel Aviv office, they have gone the other way.

KK is right when he states they have flushed a very good product in the form of their casino, straight down the toilet.

 

[mac72]

The old microgaming casino and the old Ladbrokes poker (I mean from way back 2003-2006 kinda time, when they were a standalone site using MG poker software) were absolutely fantastic. Really top notch on every level.

The poker site took a huge nosedive around 07 when they started employing people who didn't know anything about poker (and it showed). Players left in droves. The microgaming casino continued to be great with fast cashouts, nice promotions and knowledgeable CS but as we know that all ended when playtech came aboard

In total agreement with that and well said.It always amazed me as to how a company with the clout of Ladbrokes went from having complete control of their own destiny to the mess it is currently in.You used to get almost instant cashouts to ewallets ,great promos and the added security of knowing your funds were completely safe which surely are three of the biggest positives you can have.
There are still some great people at Ladbrokes but their top tier management made wrong move after wrong move and I actually thought when the CEO's departure was announced last year that maybe someone new might try and put it back to where it once was, but reading the history of the incoming one on this thread that may be wishful thinking.

 

[Jono777]

It's great to read/see that although somewhat a bit naive when it comes to the 'behind the scenes' movements of online casinos I was definatley along the right lines with Ladbrokes.

Especially the total switch from great casino with great promos and customer care to steaming pile of horse manure (think my comment made it to the CM annual awards too lol )

IMO it may be too little too late, they are going to need a massive turnaround to get things back to 'the good old days'

Maybe 'nothing' but I know at least 8-10 players (including myself) they lost when making the MG/Playtech switch, multiplied by 'X' for the rest of the country/world..whatever must have had a pretty large impact.

Could be totally wrong but could also have something to do with the reasons in OP.

Lets hope new CEO is good friends with Dr Who

 

[mac72]

Bit more to it than that. All the big boys pulled out of the US due to the UIGEA which came into force in 2006. The player liquidity in the rest of the world was such that Ladbrokes Poker could not continue to operate outside of the then Prima Poker market due to the increased competition they then faced as a result ( ie Party Poker for one ). Thus subsequently the Ladbrokes Poker Room then joined the Prima Poker network later to be known as the Microgaming Poker Network to ensure player liquidity. This is what caused Ladbrokes Poker to nosedive as Ladbrokes then had limited control over the network, compared to what they had when they were a stand alone room.

That said, Ladbrokes were never very forward thinking in terms of online marketing, seo, affiliates etc when I worked for them in Gibraltar. However, with the move to Playtech and the opening of their Tel Aviv office, they have gone the other way.

KK is right when he states they have flushed a very good product in the form of their casino, straight down the toilet.

I think that Black Friday should of been a godsend for Ladbrokes .They didn't service the US market anyway and when players worldwide were terrified about the security of their funds Ladbrokes should of marketed the life out of the security that those playing in areas they serviced had dealing with one of the Worlds biggest bookmakers.

 

[Webzcas]

I think that Black Friday should of been a godsend for Ladbrokes .They didn't service the US market anyway and when players worldwide were terrified about the security of their funds Ladbrokes should of marketed the life out of the security that those playing in areas they serviced had dealing with one of the Worlds biggest bookmakers.

That would have been too sensible for Ladbrokes! I remember in 2004, I went back to the UK for a friend's wedding. The IT Director of Ladbrokes eGaming wanted me to spend some time in Rayners Lane to talk with the two/three man marketing team about SEO. I had at the time a very popular political forum which was ranking quite well. I wanted to know if they would change my role and also increase my salary. Would they ****. Hence I started up Online Casino Reviewer and left Ladbrokes little less than a year later to go full time as an affiliate webmaster. 2015 is my tenth year being self employed. I haven't looked back

 

[mac72]

That would have been too sensible for Ladbrokes! I remember in 2004, I went back to the UK for a friend's wedding. The IT Director of Ladbrokes eGaming wanted me to spend some time in Rayners Lane to talk with the two/three man marketing team about SEO. I had at the time a very popular political forum which was ranking quite well. I wanted to know if they would change my role and also increase my salary. Would they ****. Hence I started up Online Casino Reviewer and left Ladbrokes little less than a year later to go full time as an affiliate webmaster. 2015 is my tenth year being self employed. I haven't looked back

Ed Ware and Pat Harrison probably have similar sentiments! :yahoo:

 

[Webzcas]

Ed was my old MD at Ladbrokes International in Gib. When he left at the end of 2001, we were all like NOOOOOOOO. Then in 2002 when he set up 32Red we were all like 'Please can I have a job' LOL.

 

[fun4all]

Bit more to it than that. All the big boys pulled out of the US due to the UIGEA which came into force in 2006. The player liquidity in the rest of the world was such that Ladbrokes Poker could not continue to operate outside of the then Prima Poker market due to the increased competition they then faced as a result ( ie Party Poker for one ). Thus subsequently the Ladbrokes Poker Room then joined the Prima Poker network later to be known as the Microgaming Poker Network to ensure player liquidity. This is what caused Ladbrokes Poker to nosedive as Ladbrokes then had limited control over the network, compared to what they had when they were a stand alone room.

I disagree quite strongly with what you say. Yes the UIGEA had a huge impact I was a big poker player then and I understood it fully and watched it all unfold. Yes I agree Ladbrokes had to merge the players into the prima network after that and that meant losing a lot of control but that does not mean players had to leave in droves or the poker staff had to be clueless. I am presuming you don't know about the debacle on board Ladbrokes cruise 2? After that escapade which involved at least 6 figures of losses I think a lot of staff changed. Once that was done and dusted it appeared the people now in charge of Ladbrokes poker had no idea about poker itself and set about frustrating the player base constantly. Plenty of other poker skins who were also on networks managed to keep a friendly community feel going with staff that understood what poker is about. Ladbrokes lost that big time.

 

[fun4all]

I think that Black Friday should of been a godsend for Ladbrokes .They didn't service the US market anyway

Yes they never took US players ever. They were VERY close though. Around the start of 2006 they were strongly considering taking US players for the poker site only (so I was led to believe). However the UIGEA passed towards the end of 06 so they ended up never doing it.

 

[mac72]

Ladbrokes should redefine their new CEO's role as someone with a bit less 'manager' and a bit more 'leader' in him (and in this scenario that's probably unkind to managers everywhere). In my view the ship has been well crewed but captainless for way too long.


– The manager administers; the leader innovates.

– The manager is a copy; the leader is an original.

– The manager maintains; the leader develops.

– The manager focuses on systems and structure; the leader focuses on people.

– The manager relies on control; the leader inspires trust.

– The manager has a short-range view; the leader has a long-range perspective.

– The manager asks how and when; the leader asks what and why.

– The manager has his or her eye always on the bottom line; the leader’s eye is on the horizon.

– The manager imitates; the leader originates.

– The manager accepts the status quo; the leader challenges it.

– The manager is the classic good soldier; the leader is his or her own person.

– The manager does things right; the leader does the right thing

 

[Webzcas]

I am presuming you don't know about the debacle on board Ladbrokes cruise 2?

I was there for the first Ladbrokes Cruise, not sure about what happened about the second one though.

 

[fun4all]

I was there for the first Ladbrokes Cruise

Did that Canadian high stakes player buy you a drink? (He probably bought the ship a drink)
And did you have to listen to howard plants jokes lol

 

[Webzcas]

Did that Canadian high stakes player buy you a drink? (He probably bought the ship a drink)
And did you have to listen to howard plants jokes lol

I was working for Ladbrokes during the first cruise, I didn't go on the Cruise though.

 

[fun4all]

I was working for Ladbrokes during the first cruise, I didn't go on the Cruise though.

As you might have guessed I was there. If you worked on the first cruise then congrats, it was really fantastic - I loved it in every way and whatever you were doing behind the scenes was appreciated. The second one was great also (except for Ladbrokes afterwards! although I did the good thing by them)