Prophet adds executive muscle to sports betting operations
Ex-Betfair and Ladbrokes veteran Thomas Phillips and DraftKings VIP strategic lead Michael Halperin link up with US-based betting exchange
Prophet has appointed Thomas Phillips as its new VP of marketing and Michael Halperin to be its new VP of operations aiming to strengthen its sports betting knowledge base. Phillips spent more than three years at Betfair, working firstly as a VIP casino and games manager before transitioning to the role of sports CRM marketing manager in 2011. He later joined Ladbrokes Coral as head of CRM sports (digital/multi-channel) where he served four years with the London-listed bookmaker. In this role, he held responsibility for marketing strategy and delivery of CRM and conversion and retention management across all Ladbrokes and Coral digital sports customers including international regions and VIP management. Phillips left Ladbrokes with a short stint outside the industry before returning to GVC in August 2018 as head of customer relationship management for its retail arm. He joins Prophet as VP of marketing with immediate effect and will report to Prophet CEO and co-founder Dean Sisun. In tandem with the appointment, Prophet has also recruited former DraftKings VIP promotions and strategy manager Michael Halperin as its new VP of operations. Halperin spent more than three years with the US DFS and sports betting heavyweight, starting as senior sportsbook operations associate in 2018 before moving up through the ranks. He was an original member of the DraftKings Sportsbook team and helped launch the first digital-focused sportsbook after the repeal of PASPA in 2018. Prior to joining DraftKings, Halperin’s career began in January 2017 at Chalkline. The duo join former FanDuel new market strategy director Matt Garrigan whose appointment as VP of strategy was confirmed earlier this month. Addressing the trio’s appointment, Sisun said he was excited to see what their combined knowledge could do in aiding Prophet’s B2C launch in the fall of 2021. “Having people of their caliber join us from FanDuel, DraftKings and with Thomas’ experience from Betfair, InterCasino, and Ladbrokes Coral reinforces what an exciting future everyone at Prophet has ahead of us,” Sisun said. “We want to attract the best in the business, and the knowledge, experience, and skills Thomas, Matt, and Michael bring is another key foundation for us as we continue to grow,” he added.