GPWA Times Magazine - Issue 34 - February 2016

What does mFortune do to protect play- ers who may have a gambling problem? We have numerous automatic checks on player behavior to spot warning signs, and we have a 24/7 365-day call center that can act upon these. We also have opt- outs, daily limits and self-exclusions. Describe your typical work day. Every day starts with a meeting with the rest of the marketing team, who play a big part in the success of our affiliate program. Skype is always open and conversations are always going on throughout the day. I would say I have a lot more e-mail than phone calls to deal with, but there are no typical days. I could spend all day talking to one affiliate or updating thousands of affiliates about our latest great game or exciting offers. Describe the office culture at mFortune. If we were a fly on the wall, what are some of the topics of conversation we’d hear about at the water cooler? We have j ust moved into a huge new office and I don’t know where the water cooler from the old office has got to yet. The office culture is very positive; we have a very young(ish) team who are all very driven and hardworking. We still have plenty of time for a few jokes and beers, though. What do you wish you could change about the industry? I wish I could change the trust issue between operators and af- filiates. I think there have been too many rogue affiliate programs that have burned people in the past, and because of that it makes my, and other affiliate managers who have good programs with good in- tentions, jobs a lot harder. Where do you think the industry will be in five years? Mobile! You’ve lived in Birmingham your entire life, correct? Aston Villa, West Bromwich Albion or Birmingham City? I am an Aston Villa fan and had a season ticket a couple of years ago. Unfortunately, our season doesn’t seem to have gone to plan so far, but I have faith that our French sav- ior Rémi Garde will lead us to glory. It is also still a hell of a lot better than being a Birmingham City fan. If someone from out of town were to vis- it you, where is the one place you would have to take them? It would have to be the Post Office Vaults in Birmingham City Centre. It has 367 bottle beers, eight real ales on tap and 13 real ciders. You can also take your own food in and there is a bril- liant noodle bar round the corner called Wok Your Way. What is the last book you read? Did you enjoy it? And did you read it on an e- reader, or do you need to have a copy of the physical book in your hand? I can’t profess to be an avid reader; to be honest, you are more likely to find me playing FIFA than reading. The last book I read was the latest Game of Thrones book, and although I started reading the hardback version I switched to an e-reader after the first few chapters, which I much preferred. What’s your favorite movie? Braveheart . The only time you will find me support- ing the Scots over the English. What do you use for most of your Web surfing: A desktop computer, laptop, tablet or smartphone? I would say over- all it is my smartphone; however, I still use a desktop, laptop and tablet. I sup- pose it just depends on the situation. iPhone, Android or flip phone? And if we took out your earbuds, what would we find you listening to? I am an iPhone user and have been for a few years. I used to have an Android, but for me there is just no comparison. Also, what is a flip phone? I had a Sony Ericsson T20 when I was a kid? As for music, the last thing played in my car was one of The Streets’ albums. If you could go anywhere on vacation, where would you go? If I had to choose a place I have never visited before, I think it would be Borneo. If you could have dinner with three peo- ple, living or dead, who would they be? 1. Emile Heskey 2. Ataturk 3. Richard Dawkins Name three things that people reading this magazine don’t know about you. There are a lot of things that the people reading the magazine won’t know about me, but to name three: 1. My brother traced our family tree back a few years ago and discovered we were related to Shakespeare (through marriage, not blood). 2. I have grade 6 in piano and cello, although they are from when I was much younger. 3. I don’t like gravy. AFFILIATE MANAGER INTERVIEW SERIES Affiliate Manager Interview Series