FEATURE MOBILE
NAME OF THE GAME:
10 GAMING INDIVIDUALS WHO SHARE THEIR NAMES WITH THE RICH AND FAMOUS
on’t you hate it when you get confused for someone else less awesome than you? Just last month the team from TSG was subjected to a volley of abuse from an unnamed software provider, whose voice quickly changed tone when she realised she had mistaken us for an unnamed rival light-hearted industry insider page. Of course, we are not the first members of the industry to suffer from a case of mistaken identity (though we probably are the most important – Editor). Plenty of others will no doubt have had the same jokes repeated back at them by virtue of sharing their name with someone famous, and it would be irresponsible of us not to continue this largely unfunny joke. Andy Goram Gala Bingo marketing director/former Scotland goalkeeper Fans in Scotland used to sing ‘there’s only two Andy Gorams’ – well now it’s not just a mildly offensive joke about the former footballer’s schizophrenia. Ronnie Whelan Sporting Index COO/ex-Liverpool footballer The ‘real’ Ronnie might have played in the European Championships and World Cup, but is that really better than working in South London for a Power 50 operator? Yes, yes it is. David Attenborough Former Tabcorp CEO/British national treasure No, it’s not true that Attenborough was asked to leave his post with the Australian operator after replacing his trading team with photogenic penguins. I don’t know who told you that. Chris Brown Take That Ltd managing director/awful musician Brown’s staff have taken to asking him how Rihanna is getting on every time he walks into the office. No one laughs.
[IN BRIEF ]
Mr Unmotivator
Every company differs when it comes to employee bene?ts and engagement. Some large Silicon Valley tech companies, for instance, give staff free rein allowing pets, giving away free food and drinks on demand and even supplying free childcare. Others, and one gaming company in particular, however, is less trusting of its employees. Its head of international, for instance, is blocked from making international calls, nice touch; its employees have to ask permission for every photocopy they make, lovely; and on top of all that every piece of furniture is nailed to the ?oor. Now that’s just taking things (shouldn’t that be NOT taking things? – Editor) too far.
D
Colin Murray Envoy Services marketing director/Match of the Day 2 presenter Bland football stereotypes; substandard guests offering cliché after cliché. Colin’s impromptu speech at last year’s Power 50 was not one for the highlights reel. Robin Cook Corporate comms officer at BCLC/Former UK government minister Rumours that the British Columbia Lottery Corporation’s early struggles were related to the company’s opposition to the war in Iraq remain unconfirmed. Chris Ferguson PokerVIP acquisition manager /Former Full Tilt owner If you share a name with a disgraced former poker champion, the last area you want to work in is poker, right? Wrong. The expunging of ‘Jesus’ results from history have given a boost to this affiliate’s credentials. David Coleman consultant for etruvian/football commentator When he wrote Pokerstrategy’s consumer benchmark report, Coleman had to be careful to avoid references to Linford Christie’s habit of “pulling it out when it matters the most.” James Woods bet365 affiliate manager /Oscar-nominated actor There’s no better name to have than James Woods if you want to work in the online casino industry. Casino, geddit? Because he was in the film Casino. Is this thing on?
Lucky puke
Spending the opening day of the Cheltenham Festival with Paddy Power is always a pleasure. We really appreciate the Irish hospitality, free?owing Guinness and the chance to watch some top class racing from one of the best viewpoints in the arena. Even better though this year was seeing the usually serene Jack Massey, the operator’s CFO, tell his invited guests that he was going to vomit if Hurricane Fly didn’t retain the Champion Hurdle. No wonder. Paddy’s money back special could have cost them around £4m. Fortunately, the nag was bang on the money and won convincingly. Just a few hours later, after Jack had departed early to catch a ?ight home, one invited analyst was heard saying: “Massey’s just sold several millions of euros worth of shares”, which left us all feeling very sick indeed.
Chris Griffin Betable CEO/character in Family Guy Some would say Griffin has done well just to get his business off the ground after having to contend with a dysfunctional family and an evil monkey living in his closet.
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