Industry News
Digital Chain is a business statement. Iryna Kurochkina, Founder & CEO of DC, on the agency’s rebranding and ambitious plans
1. So, the first big gaming exhibition of the new decade, ICE London 2020, is here, and so is the crazy surprise: Digital Choo rebranding into Digital Chain! Tell us more about the idea and how long were you planning it.
The rebranding is a major change, and it came to us really naturally. Over the course of 3 years on the market we’ve developed an interconnected in-house infrastructure of services, won over great global companies as our clients, created many award-winning campaigns, and, in the end, we’ve changed. We have a larger grasp of understanding who we are and what value we present to our clients, partners, the advertising markets, and the world in general. So the aspiration for change came from the inside as a natural desire to match our external image with our internal values, the very essence of DC.
What is Digital Chain? It is the power to break barriers and go above and beyond in pursuit of the outstanding results. It is intrinsically us — the international marketing agency that commits to using its complex knowledge and services to drive the process of brand establishment for every company that shares the same passion and beliefs with us.
2. Could you elaborate more on the practical implementation of the concept of rebranding?
The most obvious change is our brand identity embodied in all external branding, POS materials, merchandise and so on. However, Digital Chain is much more than visual changes. It is a business statement. It is about our plans, goals, and the services we bring to the market.
Every piece of our new image communicates exactly who we are and what value we carry to the world. Liquid metal is a key element of our renewed style: a symbol of the agency’s strength yet flexibility, the skills and expertise that complement the DNA chains of new strong brands that we help to create. Other new corporate colors add vibrancy to this philosophy, with Stark White to represent fearlessness, absolute freedom of action, purity of thought, the absence of chaos in our work processes, and Rich Black to reflect our passion for exploring the essence and solid, confident steps to conquer the unknown.
We are bold and daring in our aspiration to develop the international community, and this is essentially what the story’s about. In the near future, Digital Chain will connect even more markets all over the world, introducing its services to Asian and African clients. We will also contribute our expertise in niche verticals to the development of markets that have only recently adopted the global practices and undergo gambling legalization. And of course, we are about to expand our client portfolio both in niche and mainstream categories.
3. A general question on rebranding: If you are doing well, why should you rebrand? As they say in the US, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”. Isn’t this the mantra?
Change is the only constant thing in the world. To keep yourself in an old framework when you’ve grown, and become so, so much more, is simply wrong. True freedom comes from being sensitive – first of all, to yourself; from being honest; from accepting who and what you are and bringing the corresponding image into the world with responsibility and good intentions. This is how real difference is made- by being yourself to the fullest. It is exactly the same for businesses as for individuals.
4. A number of big companies have fallen off their hallowed perch in the last decade or so. Kodak, Thomas Cook, Nokia, the list goes on. Changing technologies played a big part in that. Do you think in this era of rapid emergence of disruptive technologies, just rebranding alone can help the companies to flourish?
In a fast-paced world that we live in today, visionaries and pathfinders set the reality that everyone else is battling to succeed in. So yeah, technological advancement must underlie any other changes, without a doubt!
Watching the global market closely, over some time you start to see the pattern of all sales, mergers, acquisitions – an ever-evolving live organism that aspires to reach its maximum potential. It is important to keep everything connected so if one part changes, the others naturally follow suit as well.
5. Specific to the gaming sector, how should a company go about rebranding? What should be the underlying factors a company should consider before making a decision to rebrand?
This company should answer a nominal question “Why?”. As indicated, one of the lasting trends in the gaming/gambling industry, which is highly relevant in 2020, is market oversaturation. Target audiences have difficult time telling companies apart from each other. You may ask if rebranding is the answer. It could be, but it also could not be the one. It is a combination of factors and external influences that have to be taken into account to decide whether rebranding is truly what a company needs.
During the process, you have to be true to your brand essence, consistent, and… there are really many ingredients to the development of a perfect rebranding. A reliable and proven marketing partner is highly recommended to ensure all the details are perfectly set, and that the new brand really stands out and communicates the right messages in the right tone of voice.
Industry News
Blackstone to List Spain’s Cirsa Shares in Madrid Early 2025
Private equity investor Blackstone plans to list shares of Spanish gambling company Cirsa in the first half of 2025 in an initial public offering.
Blackstone would raise between 700 million euros and 1 billion euros,floating between 20% and 25% of Cirsa.
The investment fund has hired Barclays, Deutsche Bank and Morgan Stanley as global coordinators, according to reports.
Cirsa, Blackstone, Barclays, Deutsche Bank and Morgan Stanley did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Blackstone acquired Cirsa, which operates casinos and betting shops across Spain and Latin America, in 2018 for an undisclosed sum.
In 2021, a Spanish newspaper reported Blackstone was considering a Cirsa IPO in a deal that would value the company at around $3.4 billion.
The post Blackstone to List Spain’s Cirsa Shares in Madrid Early 2025 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Industry News
Betsson’s Customer Service Team Nominated for Award at the CX Exchange Awards 2024
Betsson Group’s Customer Service team has been shortlisted for the “Best Customer Experience” at this year’s prestigious CX Exchange Awards 2024.
Melissa Zalbeigi, Director of Customer Service Operations at Betsson Group, said: “We are honoured and excited to be nominated for this award. It’s a privilege to be recognised alongside industry leaders and to compete against such esteemed companies. This nomination is a testament to our team’s dedication to providing exceptional customer service.”
The post Betsson’s Customer Service Team Nominated for Award at the CX Exchange Awards 2024 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Industry News
Quixant to Exhibit at ICE 2025
Following a strong showing at G2E 2024 in Las Vegas, where Quixant highlighted its expanded range of processors and graphics configurations for its QMAX 3 hardware platform and launched the IQ Connect, the company looks forward to continuing its tradition of showcasing breakthrough technology at ICE. From cost-effective and powerful options like the IQ range, to the robust and reliable IQON range, all the way to the maximum power and performance of the QMAX range, Quixant’s Intel and AMD-based platforms span a spectrum of power, performance and cost requirements to meet the unique needs of gaming businesses worldwide.
Known for its customisable design and easy serviceability, the QMAX 3 sets new standards in gaming hardware. Launching the enhanced offering to the European market for the first time at ICE, the product now features processor options that include a budget-friendly Celeron for cost-conscious projects, alongside higher-performance Intel Core i5 and i7 options. The product also allows customers to choose configurations with or without a discrete GPU (dGPU), enabling them to tailor graphics capabilities to project needs. This flexibility empowers game developers to strike the ideal balance between performance, power and budget, making it an unparalleled solution for diverse market demands.
Returning to ICE by popular demand, Quixant’s IQ 2 platform is designed to offer powerful, cost-effective performance for a range of gaming applications. It is proving to be the ideal solution for delivering high-quality gaming experiences at a budget-friendly price.
Also to be highlighted at the Quixant booth are its embedded Software Suite solutions, which provide game developers a comprehensive toolset to optimise the game development process, simplify deployment, ensure compliance and maintain robust security. The solutions allow developers to focus on creating immersive player experiences, in the confidence that the technical aspects are covered by Quixant’s range of solutions.
Quixant’s newly launched IQ Connect 1 will also be showcased at the booth, a platform which was designed for the North American route and distributed gaming market and other markets that require a JAMMA connector. Equipped with advanced JAMMA expansion capabilities, it is an ideal fit for cabinets and kiosks requiring JAMMA connectors, seamlessly integrating flexibility, power and affordability into one solution. The product is positioned to elevate gaming experiences in cost-sensitive markets without sacrificing performance.
Mark Price, SVP Sales & Operations, EMEA & RoW for Nexteq PLC, the parent company of Quixant, shared: “We have always been about empowering our customers to focus on creating unforgettable gaming experiences. With ICE moving to Barcelona, it is a new era, and we are eager to support our customers with game-changing technology, robust supply chain solutions, and our embedded Software Suite that comprehensively addresses power, performance, security, and regulatory compliance. Our goal is to make it simpler, faster, and more cost-effective for gaming leaders to bring their vision to life.”
Price continued: “ICE 2025 arrives at a pivotal time for the gaming industry, particularly in Latin America. With Brazil’s sports betting legalization set to take effect this January and land-based gaming legislation advancing, regional growth opportunities are growing. As we prepare to meet with our LatAm customers and prospects at the show, we are committed to supporting this expansion with adaptable, cost-effective hardware solutions designed to help clients succeed in these evolving markets.”
Price concluded: “To help our customers stay ahead in Brazil as the regulatory landscape unfolds, Quixant has partnered strategically with Novatrade to ensure a secure supply chain with stock held in Brazil. This partnership simplifies regulatory compliance and reduces costs for both Quixant and its customers. With local operations and a bonded warehouse, we can defer import duties and taxes, while dual stock locations in Brazil and Taiwan allow for quick fulfilment. Additionally, issuing local invoices in Brazilian Reais makes the purchasing process seamless for our customers.”
Michael Minor, SVP Sales & Operations, North America for Nexteq PLC, said: “Our focus at Quixant has always been to drive innovation in gaming technology, equipping our global customers with the solutions they need to excel in a highly competitive industry. With each new generation of products, we aim to empower our customers to create even more memorable gaming experiences, backed by technology that is as adaptable as it is powerful. With the introduction of solutions like the enhanced QMAX 3, the IQ 2, and the IQ Connect 1, we are positioned to empower our global partners with the technology and flexibility they need to succeed in this dynamic landscape.”
Minor continued: “We are thrilled to bring the IQ Connect 1 to ICE, giving industry professionals another opportunity to experience how this innovative platform complements our product portfolio. The product is a transformative addition for the North American market. By combining the compact and high-performance design of the IQ 2 with advanced JAMMA functionality, we have created a platform that stands out for its versatility, power, and cost-effectiveness.”
Whether a traditional game developer, or you are looking to move from the online gaming world to the land based space, Quixant have highly adaptable, specialist gaming solutions. As the team prepares to engage with industry leaders at ICE 2025, they are excited to discuss how their solutions can address shifting market needs.
Attendees can find Quixant at stand 3F42, where they are invited to explore how Quixant’s powerful and adaptable platforms and extensive support services drive efficiencies and industry success in this rapidly evolving market.
The post Quixant to Exhibit at ICE 2025 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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