Stats Perform, the sports industry’s leading provider of AI technology, live data and insights, announced that tech marketing veteran Charles Kaplan has been appointed as Chief Marketing Officer (CMO), effective April 21, 2025. In this role, Mr. Kaplan will lead the Company’s marketing capabilities, in addition to its Opta data insights and editorial services. He will also manage Stats Perform’s sports news teams and the Opta Content Agency, which provides data-led features, compelling storytelling and creative campaign support to help sports organizations, brands and media outlets engage fans and grow their audiences.

Mr. Kaplan brings nearly 25 years of marketing, product management, and revenue growth expertise to Stats Perform, with a strong track record of driving business expansion and market leadership on a global scale. He most recently served as Chief Product and Marketing Officer at Wynshop, where he helped launch the company on a path to becoming the leading provider of digital commerce and fulfillment solutions for local store-based retailers. Previously, Mr. Kaplan held leadership roles at Mi9 Retail, including Chief Revenue Officer and Chief Marketing Officer, where he directed go-to-market strategy, revenue generation, and business growth. Earlier in his career, he gained extensive experience in international marketing, business development and product management through leadership roles at MicroStrategy, Lexmark Enterprise Software, and Brainware. Mr. Kaplan received a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Vanderbilt University and an MBA from the University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business.

Carl Mergele, Chief Executive Officer, said, “A dynamic company like Stats Perform requires equally dynamic and forward-looking thinking with its marketing, and Charles is the ideal fit to lead our marketing function. His unique skillset makes him a valuable overall addition to the Stats Perform management team as we continue to execute on our growth strategy and revolutionize the way sports are viewed. Coming off our most successful year yet, we are excited to benefit from Charles’ leadership and marketing prowess and build on the momentum generated in the first quarter of 2025.”

“I am thrilled to be joining the Stats Perform team at such a critical time in the company’s history,” said Mr. Kaplan. “I have long admired Stats Perform for its unmatched depth and breadth of data, AI, sports research, news and video content capabilities that have effectively shaped – and transformed – the sports technology and data industry. I look forward to working closely with the executive team as we meet the rapidly growing demand for in-depth sports insights and data-driven content, delivering comprehensive and real-time AI-powered solutions and performance analytics to enhance understanding, prediction, and fan engagement in sports.”

Fennica Gaming is set to challenge the gaming industry with its latest strategic business transfer. The company has integrated a renowned Finnish game studio, bringing onboard +200 game IP’s and 50 creative game development professionals. This move intensifies Fennica’s position as a strong Games as a Service content provider within regulated markets.

The integration of Veikkaus Game Studio to Fennica Gaming significantly enhances Fennica Gaming’s existing game development network, Game Family, renowned for its exceptional combination of mobile gaming and money gaming expertise. With this new addition of decades-long experience in money gaming, Fennica Gaming is specialising stronger in localising international gaming experiences to international customers. This strategic expansion supports customer-centric game development, boosts competitiveness in both Finnish and international markets, and promotes efficient scaling.

“This integration of a renowned Game Studio is a strategic move to meet the increasing demand for localized content. We are now merging a fantastic heritage of creating localized content across different gaming verticals, which has dominated the market share in Finland. This positions us for international success and strengthens our ability to deliver tailored gaming experiences to diverse markets. This move is also a continuum of the work initiated with our new advisor to the board of directors, Mr. Simon Hammon, further solidifying our commitment to excellence and innovation,” said Jonas Reuter, Chairman of the Fennica Gaming Board of Directors.

“This opens up even better opportunities for Fennica’s organic growth and long-term development. With this change, we incorporate over 200 game IP’s and we grow from 20 to 70 Fennicans, maximizing the value for all customers across all markets on three continents where our games are currently live. This expansion is a genuine possibility to create great games in our Gaming Universe and to meet the diverse needs of different players in various markets better than ever before. This also enables us to meet various regulatory requirements and become an even better business partner internationally,” said Timo Kiiskinen, Managing Director of Fennica Gaming.

LFC Foundation plans to further increase its fundraising efforts and support 500,000 people a season by 2030. Now, Liverpool FC’s official betting partner Ladbrokes has announced its support for the foundation’s fundraising drive.

Ladbrokes, owned by Entain, will place a £100 accumulator charity bet for every remaining Premier League round of fixtures in 2024-25 – with a view to continue next season – starting with the Merseyside derby at Anfield on April 2.

All winnings from Ladbrokes’ charity bets will be donated to LFC Foundation at the end of the season, helping fund important programmes across several areas of impact, including health, learning and employability. On the occasions that the accumulator bets are unsuccessful, LFC Foundation will receive the value of the £100 stake as a donation.

In 2023-24, the Reds’ official charity supported more than 127,000 people and generated £92 million of social value to the Liverpool City Region, taking the total over the last four years to an impressive £284.48 million, including just under £30 million directly into the local economy. Last season for every £1 invested, LFC Foundation was able to generate a return of £13.70 back into the community.

Earlier this year, LFC Foundation launched its new long-term strategy, with the target of doubling funding and supporting more than half a million people across the Liverpool City Region and beyond by 2030.

Matt Parish, chief executive of LFC Foundation, said: “We are grateful to Ladbrokes for their support. These proceeds will go towards supporting vital programmes that help hundreds of thousands across the Liverpool City Region.

“The foundation recently launched an ambitious new strategy with the aim of supporting 500,000 people by 2030. The support of our partners is integral to the work we do and in achieving these ambitious targets, and every contribution will help us make a meaningful difference.

“With Ladbrokes’ support, we can continue to tackle social inequalities facing our communities and deliver measurable, life-changing programmes in our local communities and beyond.”

Gemma Bell, head of sponsorship at Ladbrokes, said: “We’re really happy to support LFC Foundation’s drive to double their donations. By placing these charity bets on our own behalf, we’re combining our passion for football with a meaningful commitment to give back and contributing to the foundation’s efforts to increase its impact and support more people.”