SBC Rio, NCAA Promotions, and Strategic Partnerships

Adrian Ward

Alright, let's jump into what we have planned for the week ahead. First up on Monday, we’re kicking this off with our LinkedIn marketing post for SBC Rio. The goal here is to generate some early buzz and, you know, really get people excited for what’s to come at the event.

Matt Hennessey

Building anticipation early is so important, isn't it? This'll set the tone for the entire week.

Adrian Ward

Exactly. And moving onto Tuesday, we’re launching a press statement to promote the Rhode Island PGAM challenges. This one’s big because it highlights our collaboration with Bally’s and some prominent stakeholders. It’s the kind of announcement that’ll, hopefully, grab some serious media attention.

Matt Hennessey

Yeah, especially with Bally’s in the mix. Their involvement always seems to add that extra weight to things. Are we expecting a lot of media traction for this?

Adrian Ward

We certainly aim to. Bally’s has been a strong partner, and with the Rhode Island challenges being such an important initiative, we’re hopeful this’ll resonate across multiple outlets.

Matt Hennessey

Okay, I like where this is heading. So, what happens midweek?

Adrian Ward

On Wednesday, we’ll publish a website preview diving into SBC Rio’s panel topics and objectives. The idea here is to give attendees a clearer picture of what to expect and, well, encourage them to engage with the sessions more actively. It’s all about making those panel discussions feel, kind of, irresistible for potential participants.

Matt Hennessey

Makes sense. A little teaser content always goes a long way in getting folks intrigued.

Adrian Ward

Exactly. And with SBC Rio being such a flagship event for us, getting this preview right is, well, kind of crucial. It’s additional fuel to keep up the momentum leading into the event.

Matt Hennessey

No pressure, huh?

Matt Hennessey

Alright, Adrian, as we roll into Thursday, what’s next on the agenda?

Adrian Ward

Thursday is all about NCAA session bookings. We’re posting a promotional piece on LinkedIn designed to, well, grab the NCAA audience’s attention. It’s tied to a specific session we think could really resonate with participants looking for, you know, actionable insights.

Matt Hennessey

Right. And is the focus here more on student-athletes, or are we leaning towards the broader university demographic?

Adrian Ward

It’s actually a mix. The content will appeal to decision-makers, like university staff and athletic directors, but we’re also crafting it in a way that feels, I guess, approachable for student-athletes themselves. It’s, sort of, about ensuring everyone sees the value in what the sessions offer.

Matt Hennessey

That sounds like a tricky balance, but if anyone can pull it off, it’s you guys. Tell me—what’s on the radar for Friday?

Adrian Ward

Friday is when we introduce our ‘Seeking Understanding’ theme for the PGAM campaign. This theme is a bit of a cornerstone for us, aiming to build empathy and awareness around responsible gaming initiatives. It ties into the broader campaign by, well, positioning our messaging in a way that’s both informative and personal.

Matt Hennessey

I like that. It feels less corporate and more, uh, connected, you know?

Adrian Ward

Exactly the idea. Plus, it sets the tone for March which is a massive month for us a communications team, so it’s crucial we get it right. We’re also rolling out our usual #FridayFeeling post, recapping key moments from SBC Rio. It’s another way to kind of, you know, close out the week with some positivity.

Matt Hennessey

And speaking of SBC Rio, Colin's live updates will be running alongside this, right?

Adrian Ward

Correct. Colin’s updates will complement our scheduled content by, essentially, bringing the event to life for those following remotely. It’s, kind of, our way of fostering a more immediate connection with stakeholders who can’t attend in person.

Matt Hennessey

Right, those real-time updates can make all the difference in keeping people engaged, especially with an event as dynamic as SBC Rio.

Adrian Ward

Exactly. It’s about creating that sense of, you know, being part of the action, even from afar.

Matt Hennessey

Adrian, with Colin’s updates keeping SBC Rio in the spotlight, let’s talk about what’s next for visuals. North of the border, Monumont Studios is back on board, right? They’ve been pretty integral for a lot of our content.

Adrian Ward

Absolutely, Matt. We’ve retained them for February and March, and they’ll be working on video content for both the SPFL campaigns and our horse racing programs. Their work has been, you know, key to creating compelling visuals that resonate and has already been positively referenced by William Hill for its quality. With their input, we’re aiming to elevate, kind of, the storytelling aspect of our campaigns.

Matt Hennessey

Yeah, they’ve done great stuff for us before. Any specific projects in the pipeline?

Adrian Ward

Well, we’ve got discussions ongoing with William Hill about a feature involving East Fife FC. It’s been endorsed by the local MP, so the stakes are high to make this, I guess, really impactful. Monumont’s expertise will help us capture the community angle brilliantly. They've also been to Hibs this week, a big name in Scottish football.

Matt Hennessey

Sounds like a fantastic opportunity. And the "Know Your Play" webinar—how’s that shaping up?

Adrian Ward

That’s set for late March, tentatively the 26th, pending confirmation from Jen Shatley. Her participation is, well, pivotal. With her involvement, plus the Associated Press distribution of the ROGA press release, we’re looking at a massive potential reach and awareness of this programme— our Meltwater software has calculated probably over 55 million people had access to that news. It’s a chance to drive home our message in a bigger way than ever before.

Matt Hennessey

Wow, 55 million? That’s the population of South Korea, pretty huge numbers! I mean, you’re setting the bar pretty high here.

Adrian Ward

Exactly, Matt. But it’s why this webinar matters so much. It’s not just about scale though. It’s about the connections and engagement it creates, and how we follow this up is important you know?

Matt Hennessey

Absolutely. Lastly, some house keeping let’s talk about Carla transitioning to marketing. She’s been instrumental on the internal comms side, hasn’t she?

Adrian Ward

Oh, definitely. Carla’s played a major role in shaping how we communicate internally. Her work on the internal comms toolkit, for example, has been nothing short of transformative. She’s making sure, you know, that everything’s in place before she officially moves. That includes our wellbeing champions and ensuring the heads of departments are fully up to speed.

Matt Hennessey

Yeah, she’s done some stellar work. It’ll leave a bit of a void for sure, but it sounds like she’s set everything up for a smooth handover and we're looking forward to collaborating with her in her new role.

Adrian Ward

Exactly. There’s always some adjustment when key roles change, but her attention to detail is leaving us in a strong position. It’s onwards and upwards from here.

Matt Hennessey

Sounds like she’s leaving everything in good hands. Before we wrap up, Adrian, you had a personal note to share?

Adrian Ward

Yes, I want to thank everyone for their support and understanding while my wife and I dealt with some hospital visits. We’re hoping that’s behind us now, and I look forward to resuming full focus on work.

Matt Hennessey

We’re all here for you, Adrian. Thanks for sharing. That’s all for this week’s update. Thanks for tuning in, everyone. Have a great weekend!