Whitezip is a global marketing agency offering acquisition, customer services, affiliate marketing, design and development services. They began their journey in January 2016 with eight people and now have a bigger team and offices in London and Malta.
This week we had the pleasure of talking with Whitezip’s CCO, Sven Kaltenegger. To learn more about his iGaming career, experience, and the company itself, keep on reading the interview.
For those who don’t know you, can you tell us how you ended up in the iGaming industry and what your journey has been like until today?
That is a good question: I originally moved to Malta in the 90s – before the EU and before iGaming & Crypto. Being German, I was offered to help build Tipico right after my University studies. Later, I decided to move back to Germany and took a job in Sales & Marketing along with my studies. However, I kept travelling to Malta back and forth, my wife being Maltese. And then, once we had our first child and an established social circle, it was time to move back to Malta for good. IGaming was then the natural choice for me.
You’re now a CCO at Whitezip after working in many different roles at LeoVegas group. How do you feel about this new challenge now that you’ve had some time to test the iGaming waters?
It is a challenge but, at the same time, a very rewarding one! Here I also wish to express my gratitude towards LeoVegas, who helped a lot in my development, but also gratitude towards my new endeavour for this opportunity. In both cases, I was and am lucky to work with very good and reliable people.
Testing waters is actually a very good point. As you know, this industry is changing very fast, hence one needs to be on top of numbers but also on top of opportunities. What was working last year or the year before might not necessarily be working nowadays anymore, as markets, regulations etc., constantly change at a fast pace! This means we always need to have a Plan B at hand and think outside the box.
From your own perspective, what is the best thing about being a part of this industry?
The people! I must admit that most people I deal with, on whatever side they are on, are very friendly, helpful and competent. I think it is this mix which makes me enjoy working in this industry.
What advice would you give to people just starting their careers in iGaming? Or those that are still unsure if that’s the right career path for them?
iGaming offers a variety of working fields, so one might start in customer support and then move to CRM or even Marketing. This industry provides a lot, so people can naturally grow. My advice here: Try it! If you don’t try, you won’t know. Be honest with yourself and your team; there is no shame in saying I would like to try something else. Work hard and don’t give up, as the iGaming industry can offer a lot for people with the right mindset.
Have you encountered any major challenges during your journey and how have these affected you?
Indeed, I often encountered significant challenges, like market regulating or closing. Such situations bring a lot of tensions throughout all the departments, from Customer Support to CRM, to Marketing, Legal and so on. It takes quite some time, from preparation to execution and follow-ups, leaving you with some sleepless nights. And as it often involves a lot of revenue, one needs to see how this can be compensated.
What makes you feel ‘out of your comfort zone?’ How do you handle these types of situations?
I typically like to challenge myself constantly, which means I don’t really accept the status quo. I would be looking for an online course, talking to new casino software providers, and A/B tests a lot to keep myself going. For me, the unknown is only temporary, so I am not too long within a constant zone per se, as I constantly challenge departments and myself.
How would you sum up working in this industry?
Hard work and dedication definitely make this industry worthwhile.
Can you tell us more about Whitezip and what makes you stand out from other gaming services?
Whitezip is like a small data-driven family with many hard-working & outside-the-box thinking individuals throughout all departments & levels. I would say a flexible organisation that adapts fast and makes things happen. Together with a will-to-win attitude, it gives us that slight advantage of being seen out there quite a lot.
What kind of campaigns do you carry out to attract customers?
Classified! 😊
We, of course, have a fantastic Acquisition team who work hard on a day-to-day basis through all channels to ensure we reach our targets.
OK! We won’t dig into that… Let’s talk a little about the markets – what are the most exciting ones for you right now?
Currently, I would say Canada / Ontario and the LATAM markets. It will be pretty interesting how these markets will evolve once we move towards a more regulated approach.
What are the challenges when it comes to the LATAM market?
The LATAM markets are indeed challenging. Potentially upcoming regulations, already regulated markets, and socio-economic factors play a vital role in the success of the LATAM markets. In terms of language and payment methods, complete localisation can make the difference between winning and losing.
What should players know about Jackpot Village? Why is this game worth giving a try?
JackpotVillage is a good and established brand which also experiences constant development and improvement. It gives the player a fantastic player experience.
Could you shed some light on the upcoming releases and innovations? What can we expect in the near future, and what are you looking forward to the most?
We work continuously on developing ourselves and our brands further. Soon, we will definitely come up with something new, whether a new brand or a new country entry, so the best is – to stay tuned and follow us.
