Ladbrokes searches for online marketing director

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Ladbrokes is searching for a marketing director for its online gaming division following the departure of gaming marketing veteran Keith Oliver.

Oliver’s departure has sparked a review of the company’s digital media account, which is thought to be worth &£3m. The company is understood to have drawn up a shortlist of four agencies. The business is currently handled in house.

Oliver’s marketing duties will be temporarily passed to Sam Hobcraft, who has been promoted to general manager for online marketing from affiliates manager. A Ladbrokes source says the company is still considering a replacement for Oliver, who left without a job to go to. Oliver previously worked for BSkyB as head of marketing for its then betting arm, Sky Betting.

The online gaming market has boomed over the past few years, with a number of high-profile entrants such as 888 and Paradise Poker. Research from Nielsen/ NetRatings indicates that almost 4.2 million people in the UK visited a gambling or sweepstakes website in September. Ladbrokes was the fourth most popular site with 305,000 visitors.

Oliver’s departure comes months after SkyBet poached Ladbrokes head of international marketing for online gaming Simon Miller to be its marketing director (MW August 12).

Ladbrokes is also searching for a commercial director for its retail division, following the departure of Dominic Harrison to Gala Group, where he will be trading director, earlier this month (MW June 3).

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