PROFILE WHO’S WHO:
This month: Focus Gaming News’ Founder and Director
How did you first get involved with the gaming industry? I started in this wonderful and amazing industry in 2008 while I was still working for banks. A friend of mine needed a commercial director for his company and then I came into this world.
What attracted you to this sector? When I went to ICE for the first time (many years ago) I said to myself: “This is where I want to work”. I began to meet people - kind and funny people - and I fell in love. Because of my job I get to travel through Europe, US, Asia, Australia… and I love to meet people and different cultures; I learn from them every day.
What were you doing prior to the gaming industry? For 15 years I worked at different banks where I had different positions like accountant executive, branch manager, finance director… until I left that crazy and hectic industry.
What are you responsible for in your current position? Focus Gaming News is a company that covers all the world and we have many people working in different countries. From my position I coordinate the daily editions with our managing director and editors. I also handle the commercial and marketing issues. I strongly believe that being close to your customers is the best way to build and keep long-term relationships; that’s why we give them first priority.
What have been the biggest industry changes you’ve seen in your time? When I started in this industry the international shows used to be occupied 90% by slots and providers companies. Now - with iGaming and online sports betting having enjoyed sustained growth - the show floors are only 70% slots manufacturers, while 30% is used by the iGaming companies… and that’s growing every year.
What are the biggest positive factors for your sector right now? Gaming and iGaming industries are growing fast in our target markets, which represents a
permanent challenge for the media. This growth forces us to be more competitive, more accurate and more dynamic to offer the audience - very professional executives - not only high-quality information but also speed to meet their needs.
And what are the negatives ones – the obstacles to growth? The great Muhammad Ali said: “impossible is nothing” and this is our motto. We must keep working hard - very hard - introducing new communication concepts and giving our audience something different and new. Not just once, but all the time.
Looking at your entire career, what do you think was your smartest move? Definitely the move from the banking industry to gaming. And the second was to create a company that works hard to understand what the customers and audience need and to give it to them. We try to do it every single day.
And the dumbest move? A long time ago we invested too much time in other projects that didn’t give us the expected outcomes.
What do you think the iGaming space will look like in ten years’ time? Social channels will definitely be integrated into the gaming world, although people will keep visiting casinos to play slots and table games. Sports betting is growing incredibly, and in ten years’ time more and more people will be betting in sports. I believe that we’ll see a paradigm shift and entertainment will be one of the most important pillars. Virtual reality will also have its place in this industry.
If you’d never embarked on this career, what other line of work would you have liked to pursue? Well, I’d have loved to manage a football club. Not just to be a football manager or CEO but to lead a team - taking the best decisions for the club and its supporters.
Favourite… Movie: The usual suspects
Fernando Saffores Band: Yes
Book: The shadow of the wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon
TV Show: House of Cards
Food: I like to try the native food of every country I visit
Past time: Training for NY Marathon MAY 2018 85
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