ICE to serve as a catalyst for Greentube’s international expansion
(Exclusive interview).- Michael Bauer, CFO/CGO at Greentube, talked with Focus Gaming News in an exclusive interview before ICE London 2020.
ICE London 2020 is just around the corner, as the upcoming edition will take place on February 4-6 in the UK. Companies are getting ready to exhibit their new and best products, and Greentube will be one of them.
Michael Bauer, CFO/CGO at Greentube, talked to Focus Gaming News about this year’s edition and the expectations for the most important show of the industry.
Will you be showcasing new products at ICE London 2020? What has been the biggest impact in development terms after showcasing your products at previous editions?
ICE has become a landmark event in the gaming industry calendar as a hub for new product launches and announcements across the industry. This year promises to be no different, and Greentube will be showering the ExCeL in romance to showcase Romeo & Juliet – Sealed with a Kiss™, the latest star-crossed addition to our Home of Games. Greentube is committed to delivering quality entertainment with every product and by reflecting that through our presence at ICE we have always been successful in attracting attention from new partners and strengthening existing business relationships with our clients.
Last year, you said that the level of positive feedback Greentube received from visitors was nothing short of extraordinary. Have you come up with new strategies to captivate more visitors at your booth and keep strengthening your brand in Europe?
With every year the Greentube’s stand attracts a bigger crowd. This time we’ll be transporting delegates to the beautiful streets of Verona, where they can capture a moment in the “Kissing Photo Booth” and take home a photograph “sealed with a kiss”. Our very own Romeo and Juliet impersonators will be giving away lip balms for delegates to pucker up before the shoot, as well as fresh red roses to gift to a loved one just in time for Valentine’s Day. Given the international growth that Greentube has achieved over the past 12 months, this year’s ICE will likely serve as a catalyst for further expansion – and the Romeo & Juliet-themed stand will undoubtedly catch attention.
2019 saw Greentube unveil several games throughout the year, such as Wish Upon a Star and Book of Ra deluxe 10. Will ICE London mark the beginning of a new streak of new games launched by Greentube this year?
We are constantly advancing our portfolio with additions that uphold Greentube’s commitment to quality casino entertainment. In addition to Romeo & Juliet, we will also have our new slot title Charming Lady™ which is part of NOVOMATIC’s new linked progressive jackpot series called CASH CONNECTION™ on display at our stand. Looking ahead, we have a strong road map of releases planned for the year, with a host of new slot titles that will appeal across audience demographics and playing styles. We will continue our strategy to produce both market-specific titles such as Admiral Quattro in Switzerland and more global concepts such as our Diamond Link series where we will soon add a new title called Oasis Riches. We strongly believe that this approach adds the most value to our customers as we can serve different player groups. In addition to a wave of new exciting games, we will also bring our underlying technology stack to the next level which will be a game-changer as well.
Given the international growth that Greentube has achieved over the past 12 months, this year’s ICE will likely serve as a catalyst for further expansion.
The last six months have been greatly dominated by Greentube’s different announcements of new partnerships and certifications. This level of activity has been impressive and doesn’t seem to slow down. What are your immediate goals for both ICE London and the first quarter of the year?
First and foremost, we’re looking to continue with the momentum that has accelerated our growth in 2019. With a series of partnership announcements in the pipeline, we are already on track to maintain the pace of our expansion strategy over the next four months, focusing on cementing Greentube’s footprint in the markets we recently launched in. From Denmark, Spain and Switzerland, all the way to Colombia, we have been rapidly expanding internationally and will continue to grow our geographical reach in 2020. ICE provides a series of opportunities for new business, but also for furthering existing partnerships. Ultimately, our goal is to take brand awareness to the next level and shout about the amazing releases we have planned for this year.
With a series of partnership announcements in the pipeline, we are already on track to maintain the pace of our expansion strategy over the next four months.
As one of the biggest references in the gaming industry, do you focus on specific targets during European events in order to strengthen your position in that specific market?
By and large, we try and meet with as many prospective and existing partners as possible, giving particular attention to the markets which are front and centre of our growth strategy. The key to a successful ICE is the follow-up, ensuring you act on the relationships formed so opportunities don’t get lost in the aftermath. Although the event takes place in London, it attracts gaming industry executives from all over the globe – you may be surprised about who you meet.