Blue Square appoints BT Mobile marketer

Gambling operator Blue Square has appointed Nick Wenn as chief marketer. The appointment comes as the bookmaker, owned by leisure business Rank Group, expands its service into Ireland and prepares to open its first high street store.

Wenn, who joins on May 5, replaces head of marketing Peter Loveridge, who left the company last autumn to return to his native New Zealand (MW June 10, 2004). He will be responsible for all marketing, including the new Irish service, and will oversee the launch of the high street store, which will open on London’s Edgware Road this month.

Wenn, who will be report to commercial director Ben Warn, joins Blue Square from BT Mobile where he was head of acquisitions. He has also been head of senior marketing planning manager at Vodafone.

The appointment will not affect MediaCom, which handles Blue Square’s media planning and buying, but it is not clear whether Wenn will look at appointing an advertising agency as advertising is handled in house.

The bookmaker has also appointed Conor Grant as head of product. He joined the company this week. Grant, who was previously online business development manager at Paddy Power, will be responsible for new gaming content on the Blue Square website and for developing into non-sporting markets.