Pokerstars seeks marketing chief to oversee expansion

Online gaming website Pokerstars is looking for its first European marketing director, who will take charge of the business’s expansion plans.

The company plans a raft of pan-European advertising initiatives next year to increase brand awareness. The push will take in television, print and radio activity. Pokerstars is also looking at a range of sponsorship opportunities. It is not known whether the company has an advertising agency.

The marketing director will also be charged with the task of searching for cross-promotions and joint marketing activities with other casinos and European card rooms, as well as developing its own events and tournaments.

Industry sources say the company plans to increase its advertising investment considerably. The company is a relatively small player, when compared with the market leaders, which include 888.com and ParadisePoker.

Pokerstars positions itself as a safe place online to play poker against people from around the world, and does not offer other casino services. Pokerstars is registered in Costa Rica, although the marketing director will be based in London.

Online poker and casino companies are jockeying for position in anticipation of a more lightly regulated market under the Government’s Gambling Bill. A number of companies, including Gambling.com and Ultimatebet, are searching for ad agencies to oversee their marketing efforts (MW November 18).

Other gambling companies have recently been promoting top marketers to oversee their online and interactive businesses. William Hill group marketing director Peter Nolan was promoted to group director for interactive businesses at the bookmaker this month (MW December 2).