Author: Alan Gerrnon

  • Why Betting on Man United Isn’t For Everyone

    Why Betting on Man United Isn’t For Everyone

    It was half-time at Old Trafford and Manchester United were cruising. Goals from Manuel Ugarte and Diogo Dalot had handed the hosts what most would consider a comfortable lead against Olympique Lyonnais. “Halfway there,” read the club’s X post to its 38.6 million global followers. If only they’d known what was in store.

    “Two-nil, they will hardly throw it away,” messaged my colleague Feargal, a Liverpool fan, at the interval. “Hmm, you haven’t seen them this year,” I replied. As a United fan, this wasn’t my first rodeo. I had already checked the in-play odds at half-time and was tempted. 16/1 for a draw after 90 minutes. It was the kind of price that shouldn’t make sense when you’re two goals ahead at home. And yet, with this team, it somehow did.

    Deja Vunited

    You don’t have to look too far back for a precedent. In the first leg in Lyon, United were in a strong position until a trademark André Onana error handed the French side a 95th-minute equaliser. They also blew two-goal leads in last season’s Champions League group stages — away to Copenhagen, and again at home to Galatasaray. If there’s one thing this team has made a habit of, it’s giving fans a taste of victory before yanking it away with the clumsiness of a Cameroonian goalkeeper parrying a routine save into the path of a lurking opponent. 

    The second half followed the familiar script. Sloppy defending, nervous passing, and a creeping sense that this was all going to unravel. Lyon clawed one back, then another, and before long it was extra-time. When the French side went 4–2 up, it felt like the kind of collapse even a hardened United fan like myself would wince at. Still, there was a flicker — some lingering trace of belief that hadn’t quite died. With six minutes left of the 120, I glanced at the in-play odds again. 250/1 for a United win. I’d hardly had time to consider a Hail Mary punt before Bruno Fernandes converted a spot kick to spark the comeback. Then, bedlam.

    The eventual Harry Maguire winner capped one of the club’s most bizarre European nights in recent memory. And while pundits will debate what this says about the team’s resilience — or the cracks in its consistency — the match underscored something else. The visceral drama of live football, amplified by in-play betting. The shifting tides of a epic game like this don’t just create narrative and newspapers headlines — they generate real-time opportunity, risk, and (for some) reward.

    This rollercoaster match highlighted the allure of in-play betting, where odds swing wildly with every goal, red card, penalty or VAR decision. It’s a market built for the modern fan — reactive, impulsive, emotionally charged. Yet, for many Americans, access to such legal betting markets is restricted. While Premier League fans around the world were watching Bruno Fernandes line up his penalty with an eye on the odds, a large percentage of U.S. viewers had no legal way to wager in real time.

    U.S. Restrictions

    This week, U.S. gambling firms’ lobbying against in-play betting restrictions brought soccer’s live wagering markets under a spotlight. The Sports Betting Alliance, backed by giants like FanDuel and DraftKings, lobbied against a Minnesota amendment that would restrict in-play betting — arguing that it would slash revenue, reduce engagement, and drive punters to illegal sites. Currently, only certain states allow online sports betting, leaving fans in the remainder reliant on offshore and unregulated sportsbooks.

    The problem, according to the Alliance, isn’t in-play betting itself — it’s the lack of controlled access to it. They argue that prohibitions don’t stop demand, they just push it underground. In-play betting is already happening — just not always in places where it’s taxed, monitored, or safeguarded. Meanwhile, regulatory gridlock in several U.S. states keeps barriers intact, even as fan appetite grows.

    As the debate continues, matches like United v Lyon offer a compelling reminder of what’s at stake — not just in terms of revenue or regulation, but in fan experience. In-play betting, when done responsibly, adds a layer of interaction that mirrors the unpredictable nature of football itself. It’s not for everyone, and it certainly comes with risks, but for millions of fans worldwide, it’s now part of the show.

    United may have walked the tightrope yet again, but for those watching with a bet riding on it — whether at 16/1, 250/1 or just for fun — it was a night to remember. In a sport where margins are thin and momentum swings like a celebrity boxer in the twelfth round, live betting doesn’t just reflect the chaos. It invites you into it. And as regulators weigh the pros and cons, perhaps they’d do well to watch a game like that — heart rate spiking, odds bouncing, belief flickering — and understand why so many fans, win or lose, want in on the ride.

  • This Season’s Champions League Winners Revealed

    This Season’s Champions League Winners Revealed

    The match winning goal at Lotto Park marked Harry Kane’s fiftieth goal in European competitions. More importantly, it cemented Bayern Munich’s place in the top eight of the new Champions League group format. Vincent Kompany’s side’s win at his Anderlecht alma mater came on 22nd January this year but in a roundabout way it would have won them the tournament at a similar stage last season. The tie was the 125th completed in this year’s competition, excluding qualifying rounds. The 125th match of the 2023/24 incarnation came in June, with Real Madrid’s triumph against Borussia Dortmund in the final. 

    Why Betting Firms Are This Season’s Champions League Winners

    There are still eight teams in contention this time around but the big Champions League winners this season are, arguably, the bookies.

    The increase in the number of matches – 64 additional games – provide more betting opportunities, a key driver for gambling revenue. The format’s design, which includes a single league table and a knockout playoff round for teams ranked 9th to 24th, also heightens competitive uncertainty and jeopardy. This could sustain betting interest deeper into the tournament, as more teams remain in contention for longer compared to the previous format, where group-stage elimination was more predictable. 

    While comprehensive revenue figures for gambling firms post-reformat are not yet public, the structural changes suggest a net positive effect. Anecdotal estimates, however, from betting industry sources suggest individual high-profile Champions League matches can generate between €100 million to €500 million worldwide in wagers globally. With the new format adding 64 matches, the total betting volume could conservatively range from €10 billion to €20 billion for the entire season. Furthermore, spreading games across three days (with Thursdays added to the traditional Tuesday/Wednesday format) extends betting windows and adds some Champions League prestige to nights traditionally reserved for Europa League action. 

    Endless Football (And Betting Opportunities)

    “Constant, dizzying, 24-hour, year-long, endless football” went a sketch on ‘That Mitchell and Webb Look’, where David Mitchell played a frenzied sports pundit hyping up football’s relentless nature. The UK comedy show aired in 2006 and in the intervening 19 years, the sport has become even more interminable. The new 32-team FIFA Club World Cup, set for this summer, and the expanded 48-team FIFA World Cup in 2026 will also likely have a significant impact on gambling firms’ revenues, driven by increased match volume, global engagement and new betting markets. 

    The 2022 World Cup, for example, generated an estimated €35-40 billion in global bets, with single matches like the final hitting €500 million. A 60% increase in the volume of matches could push total betting toward €50-60 billion, assuming similar per-game engagement. The expanded nature of both World Cup competitions make picking the eventual champions even more difficult but, like the reformatted Champions League, the main winners will be the bookies. 

  • How Gambling Companies Are Losing Their Shirts

    How Gambling Companies Are Losing Their Shirts

    It really was a crazy season, summed up by the Newcastle United fan who got a full-length tattoo of Andy Cole on his thigh, two days before the striker made a controversial move to Manchester United. He subsequently had it reworked into an image of Les Ferdinand. Blackburn Rovers won the title, exotic new signings like Jürgen Klinsmann lit up the league and Eric Cantona showed off his kung fu skills. 

    I caught an episode of The Premier League Years from that 1994/95 season recently and something else entirely caught my attention – the shirt sponsors. JVC emblazoned iconic Arsenal jerseys, Müller featured on Aston Villa’s Asics classic (although Müller missed a trick and should have sponsored corner flags), while beer brands such as Newcastle Brown Ale, McEwan’s Lager, Labatt’s, Holsten, Coors and Carlsberg featured prominently. Manchester City’s showcased the Brother brand, a shirt famously worn by Noel and Liam Gallagher. There are some sponsors who I’m still unsure what their company actually specialised in – Fisons at Ipswich Town, NEC at Everton and Elonex at Wimbledon. Thistle Hotels, Peugeot, TDK, Walkers Crisps, Norwich & Peterborough Building Society, Compaq, Sanderson, Dimplex, Sharp and Dagenham Motors completed the set. 

    And not one gambling sponsor. 

    The contrast to this season is stark. Eleven of the twenty clubs in the Premier League have a gambling logo on the front of their shirts, while every single one have a betting partner. According to research by Global Data, the cost of these sponsorships for this season alone to betting brands is over £100m. 

    However, clubs across the top flight in England have agreed to a voluntary ban on front-of-shirt sponsorships from 20026/27. This self-regulation will have significant implications for clubs, their finances, and marketing opportunities for the gambling industry. 

    Implications for Clubs

    Gambling sponsorships have become a lucrative revenue stream in the Premier League, particularly for mid- and lower-level clubs. They also pay more than non-gambling firms. In 2023, Aston Villa’s CEO stated that gambling companies often outbid non-gambling companies significantly for mid-table teams. Indeed, it has been reported that newly promoted clubs can expect £5-6m from betting firms compared to £2.5-3m from non-betting sponsors. Clubs outside the “Big Six”, which haven’t relied on gambling sponsors in 15 years, will face the biggest financial hit. 

    It will also get complicated for clubs vying for promotion from the Championship, who have existing sponsorship deals in place with gambling firms. Contractual headaches could ensue should they have signed multi-year deals with gambling firms and then ascend to the top flight. 

    Since the ban’s announcement in 2023, the number of Premier League clubs with gambling shirt sponsors rose from eight to eleven. Clubs look to be locking in high-value, short-term deals and making hay while the sun shines. 

    Clubs will likely pivot to sectors like fintech, cryptocurrency and airlines, which are already gaining traction. However, the challenge will be to find partners willing to match gambling firms’ premiums.

    Alternative Marketing Strategies for Gambling Firms

    The ban only applies to front-of-shirt sponsors so clubs will no doubt exploit loopholes. Gambling brands could be shifted to sleeve sponsorships, training kits or pitchside LED boards, which remain permissible. 

    Gambling firms could invest the savings made from shirt sponsorships to targeted online advertising, influencer partnerships and platforms like TikTok, appealing to younger demographics. 

    Surrogate branding is another avenue explored by clubs who faced similar bans in leagues outside England. In the likes of Italy and Belgium, gambling companies use ‘infotainment’ brands (news sites tied to betting firms) to skirt rules. Sponsors in the UK could, for example, promote a lifestyle or stats app subtly linked to their betting platforms, maintaining brand presence without direct gambling ads. 

    Need some inspiration in investing your gambling company’s marketing budget without sponsoring Manchester United? Drop us a line at [email protected]

  • The Role of Luck & Determination in Sports & Marketing

    The Role of Luck & Determination in Sports & Marketing

    The 18-year-old forward’s name wasn’t even listed in the Manchester United match programme. Ninety minutes later his name was on the lips of football fans worldwide.

    An injury to French striker Anthony Martial in the warmup gave Manchester-born Marcus Rashford his chance, his debut for his boyhood club. To paraphrase Eminem, he had one shot, one opportunity to seize everything he ever wanted in one moment. And, boy, did he capture it. 

    He scored two goals on that first appearance- a Europa League tie against FC Midtjylland – and followed it up with another brace three days later in a Premier League clash with Arsenal. 

    Just weeks earlier, Rashford had been performing in United’s youth teams, before one slice of luck transformed his career and life. I was reminded of this earlier this week when Jimmy Dunne, a Queens Park Rangers defender, was called up to the Republic of Ireland squad. I interviewed Jimmy, a team-mate of Rashford’s in United’s academy sides, for my second book, “The Transfer Market: The Inside Stories” a few years ago. Dunne joined United when he was ten years old but felt it was never going to work out at Old Trafford. “It made more sense for me to go somewhere that I might have an opportunity,” he admitted.

    A move to Burnley was followed by a series of loans, to Barrow, Accrington Stanley, Hearts, Sunderland and Fleetwood Town. A permanent switch to Queens Park Rangers came in 2021, where he has become a mainstay in central defence and a much-loved figure at Loftus Road. His perseverance and determination to succeed was rewarded this week with that call-up to the Irish squad. 

    A quick glance at a Man United Under-18s team photo from 2015 reveals that not everyone had the luck or determination to succeed at the highest level. Dunne and Rashford’s team-mates included Zach Dearnley, Ollie Byrne, Ro-Shaun Williams, Ethan Hamilton, Tyrrell Warren, Callum Gribbin, Callum Whelan, Tyler Reid and Tosin Kehinde. They’re now plying their trade at the likes of FC United of Manchester, Larne, Lincoln City, Grimsby Town, Carlisle United and Finnish side Vaasan Palloseura.

    Jimmy Dunne (back left) and Marcus Rashford (second right on back row) with Manchester United Under-18 team-mates

    Luck and determination are also two intertwined elements that play a significant role in successful marketing. As nine-time major winner, Gary Player, once said, “The more I practice, the luckier I get.” While luck may bring unexpected opportunities, it is determination that enables marketers to seize these moments and turn them into success stories. In marketing, luck often favours the prepared. Brands that stay attuned to market trends, consumer behaviour and emerging technologies are more likely to find themselves in the right place at the right time. For example, brands that embraced social media platforms like TikTok early on capitalised on its potential, gaining a substantial advantage over competitors who were slower to adapt. 

    Determination is an essential trait that drives marketers to pursue their goals relentlessly. In marketing, it manifests itself in various ways – whether it’s a marketer’s commitment to conducting  thorough research, testing new ideas or analysing data to refine campaigns. Moreover, determination allows marketers to create their own luck. By engaging with their audiences, testing new ideas and staying ahead of trends, marketers can increase their chances of stumbling upon a successful campaign or viral moment. This proactive approach transforms luck from a random occurrence into a more predictable outcome. 

    At tentenseven we have the determination to take your brand to the next level. Get in touch at [email protected] – it could be your lucky day.

  • Does Your Marketing Spend Need Its Own DOGE?

    Does Your Marketing Spend Need Its Own DOGE?

    I was perplexed. I’d just taken over as a marketing manager in the automotive industry and was querying a large marketing spend. The company had been advertising – at huge cost – in a national Sunday newspaper every week but it was clear from analytics that no leads or sales were coming from this medium.

    “All our competitors also advertise in it,” was the reasoning behind it. I pulled the ads and moved it into digital, where sales conversions were robust. Within weeks, all the competitors had stopped advertising in the paper too. Over the years, I’ve seen many instances where clients have allocated large marketing budgets to media for no reason other than they always have done. Indeed, even if the spend is worthwhile it is often neglected and left to run independent of any analysis or amendments. While undertaking a marketing audit recently, I noticed a potential client had not logged into their Google Ads account in over a year, despite spending a considerable amount on a monthly basis.

    Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency has garnered much controversy of late, but it’s not a new phenomenon. After the financial crash in 2008, the Irish Government introduced an advisory committee dubbed ‘An Bord Snip Nua’. The group found €5.3 billion of savings, including 17,300 public service job cuts. 

    Do you know how efficient your marketing spend currently is? How often does your company undertake a review of your marketing spend? And should you introduce your own version of DOGE to drill down into marketing spend?

    Creating a marketing budget that effectively allocates resources is crucial for any business. Marketing is often seen as an expense rather than an investment, leading to underfunding or a misallocation of resources. By isolating marketing expenditures, companies can more easily track the return on investment of their marketing initiatives, making it easier to assess what works and what doesn’t. This data-driven approach enables businesses to allocate resources to the most effective strategies, increasing overall profitability. 

    Keeping a close eye on marketing expenditures helps companies to maintain budget control, as without proper monitoring spending can quickly spiral out of control. Companies can avoid overspending by regularly reviewing budgets and adjusting plans based on performance metrics and changing marketing conditions. 

    Establishing a system for monitoring marketing spend fosters accountability within the marketing team. When budgets are transparent and expenditures are tracked, and expenditures are tracked, team members are more likely to take ownership of marketing of projects and initiatives and be mindful of costs. 

    Before monitoring marketing spend, it’s crucial to establish clear objectives. Defining what success looks like for each campaign is critical – whether it’s driving leads, increasing sales or enhancing brand awareness. For example, in the aforementioned automotive company a marketing budget of €100 was allocated to each car sale. So, if we spent €10,000 on a particular medium and it didn’t result in 100 sales, it would be deemed unsuccessful and continued spend on it would be reevaluated. 

    In short, monitoring marketing spend is not just about keeping costs in check – it’s about maximising the effectiveness of marketing initiatives and driving growth. Please get in touch at [email protected] if you’d like us to undertake a marketing budget audit for your company to determine what is working and, just as critically, what isn’t. 

  • Creating Memorable Campaigns: Lessons from Iconic Football Advertisements

    Creating Memorable Campaigns: Lessons from Iconic Football Advertisements

    It wouldn’t have had as much impact with Darren Anderton, for example. But Cantona, Cantona was perfect. 

    The first line -or pull back – of Nike’s 1994 advert was seemingly obvious and simple – “’66 was a great year for English football.” It came during a particularly painful period for football in England, with the national side failing to qualify for that year’s World Cup. Two years later, Baddiel & Skinner’s “Three Lions” lamented the 30 years of hurt since England’s only international tournament triumph. 

    The second line – or reveal – was glorious. “Eric was born.” Nike’s campaign cleverly juxtaposed the famous 1966 World Cup victory by Sir Alf Ramsey’s side with the birth of the talismanic Frenchman, who would go on to become a legendary figure in English football. The ad highlights the idea that his arrival was a pivotal moment for the game in England and showcased Nike’s ability to connect with football culture and history. Overall, the campaign is an excellent example of how Nike uses storytelling and historical references to engage fans, promote its products and celebrate sport’s rich heritage.

    Nike’s ability to connect with everyday soccer fans was again on display in their 1998 Park Life campaign. The commercial was filmed on Hackney Marshes, renowned for Sunday league football, and featured Cantona alongside contemporaries Ian Wright, David Seaman and Robbie Fowler. The campaign is still considered one of the brand’s most iconic and memorable marketing efforts, celebrating grassroots football and the culture surrounding it. 

    Despite coming at the tail-end of the Britpop era, the campaign is also remembered for its catchy soundtrack featuring Blur’s “Parklife” – perfectly complementing the visuals and added to the nostalgic and energetic feel of the ad. The Park Life commercial cemented the brand as one that understood and embraced the culture of football at all levels of the game. 

    In contrast, Nike’s Airport 98 campaign was more galactico than grassroots – taking the humdrum, mundane nature of an airport terminal into something unexpected and special. The campaign itself was the perfect example of ambush marketing, with Nike’s competitors Adidas an official sponsor of that year’s World Cup. Nike’s sponsorship deal with the Brazil national team was utilised with players such as Ronaldo, Romario, Roberto Carlos, Juninho and Denilson all starring. Behind the camera also featured a stellar team, led by Hong Kong director John Woo.

    The campaign was so successful that post-tournament research showed that 32 per cent of viewers believed Nike to be official sponsors of France ’98, compared to 35 per cent for the actual FIFA partner Adidas. 

    If Carlsberg did football commercials…well, they’d be as good as 2006’s Old Lions campaign. The beer brand compiled a team of England legends to play against a real pub team – who apparently had no idea who they were going to face. The team, with 796 international caps between them, were let lose in a largely unscripted 180-second piece. 

    It was the interactive element of the campaign that proved revolutionary. A siginicant portion of the marketing spend was used to create interactive content, including outtakes, a ‘making of’ documentary and a longer commercial. It became the most successful interactive television campaign of all time, with agency Saatchi & Saatchi spending £0.36 to get a viewer interacting with the brand for at least four minutes. Carlsberg’s sales during that summer’s World Cup were four times higher than usual, with almost a quarter of those drinking the beer brand on the day of England’s first match stating they’d switched brand as a consequence of the campaign. 

  • Regrets And Betting Tips Blogs

    Regrets And Betting Tips Blogs

    “Regrets, I’ve had a few, but then again, too few to mention.” You and me both, Frank. 

    None more so than not backing my own judgement. Over the course of the past 12 years, I’ve written hundreds of soccer match betting tips articles for bookmakers across the globe. A quick look back through them suggests I would be sitting on a beach, cocktail in hand, had I backed my own predictions. 

    One, plucked at random, from May 2019 previewed Newcastle United v Liverpool as The Reds chased a first Premier League title. The final paragraph read, “In the famous words of a certain former captain, Liverpool can’t let this slip. They simply must win to avoid an anti-climatic finale to what’s been a terrific season. There have been some cracking ties between these two sides over the years and this could well be another one. It may not be another 4-3 classic, but a 3-2 win for Liverpool may be worth a speculative punt at a best price of 33/1.”

    Divock Origi left it late but the Belgian’s 86th minute winner ensured the Premier League title race went to the last game. Final score? Newcastle United 2-3 Liverpool.

    Of course, the majority of these articles like the one mentioned above were written for SEO and content management purposes. Such articles or blogs play a crucial role in enhancing the SEO performance of bookmakers’ websites. Relevant content on high-profile upcoming sports events is a cornerstone of effective SEO. Search engines prioritise websites that offer valuable information to users. Furthermore, incorporating sports betting tips enhances keyword optimisation. By strategically using keywords related to sports betting, bookmakers can improve their chances of ranking higher in organic search results. This keyword-rich content is critical in targeting specific user queries, making it easier to potential customers to find the bookmaker’s site. When users consistently find relevant and useful information, they are more likely to return, fostering brand loyalty. 

    Betting tips can also keep content fresh, which is another important factor for SEO. Search engines favour websites that regularly update their content, as this indicates the site is active and relevant. 

    As such, looking ahead to the weekend’s Premier League action Manchester United’s visit to Tottenham looks most intriguing. Dues to the inconsistency of both sides, there’s possibly not much value in match betting with Spurs at 11/8, United at 13/8 and a draw standing out at 11/4. With each side’s managers stubbornly sticking to their principles, despite results on the pitch, this has all the makings of a goal fest. Indeed, the sides have shared fourteen goals in their last three meetings.

    Ange Postecoglou’s team have conceded more than the likes of Everton in the top flight this season but, incredibly, only Liverpool and Arsenal have scored more. Meanwhile, despite winning six of their last eight games in all competitions, Ruben Amorim’s charges have conceded first in nine of their last eleven games. Spurs to score first looks a shoo-in at around 10/11, while the hosts to lead at half-time looks a decent punt at 15/8. When United do find the back of the net, they often leave it late – seven of their last nine goals in the Premier League have come in the last 15 minutes. For in play betting, it may be worth backing the visitors to score next as the match approaches the 80th minute mark.

    Will I be backing any of the above myself, you ask? Well, I just might regret it if I don’t. 

  • The Curious Case of Musselburgh & Content Marketing for Bookmakers

    The Curious Case of Musselburgh & Content Marketing for Bookmakers

    Many geographically-challenged football fans would be left scratching their heads at the former Tottenham defender Justin Edinburgh’s Musselburgh nickname. However, lying six miles east of the Scottish capital city’s centre, Musselburgh is of course just in Edinburgh.

    His was just one of over a dozen players I covered in a pretty innocuous blog post for a bookmakers titled The Best Football Nicknames of All Time. 

    Fitz Hall was in there, brilliantly nicknamed “One Size” by Oldham Athletic fans. Congolese-born Kiki Musampa had plenty of presence on Manchester City’s left-wing so Yule not be surprised to hear he was dubbed “Chris” by team-mates.

    Once published, I forgot all about it and moved onto the next 1000-word article. Then, five years later I got an email from one of the bookmakers’ content team, querying if I’d shared the long-forgotten blog post. I hadn’t but it had suddenly – out of nowhere – attracted hundreds, if not thousands of visitors on a football-free June Saturday afternoon. It transpired that, sadly, Justin Edinburgh had passed away that day at the young age of 49. And near the top of the search rankings when football fans Googled his name was that bygone article.

    The above is a crude, perhaps macabre, example of how blog posts can significantly enhance a website’s SEO performance over the long-term. One of the primary benefits of regularly publishing high-quality blog content is the increase in organic traffic. 

    Moreover, blog posts enhance user engagement, which is a crucial factor for SEO. Engaging content encourages visitors to spend more time on a site, reducing bounce rates and signalling to search engines that the site is valuable. When potential customers find valuable content that addresses their needs or interests, they are more likely to convert into paying customers. Well-crafted content can lead users to sign up for promotions, take advantage of bonuses, or explore other betting options offered by the bookmaker.

    Content marketing is an increasingly essential tool for bookmakers and gambling websites looking to prosper in a competitive industry. By creating valuable, engaging, and informative content, these businesses can build trust, enhance visibility, and drive conversions. As the digital landscape continues to evolve, those who invest in effective content marketing strategies will not only attract new customers but also foster loyalty among existing ones. Embracing this approach will position bookmakers as leaders in the market, ultimately contributing to long-term success and growth.

    Content marketing allows bookmakers to engage with their audience on a deeper level. Through blogs, newsletters, and social media posts, they can foster a community of bettors who feel connected to the brand. Engagement can take the form of polls, quizzes, or indeed articles on footballers’ nicknames, making users feel valued and heard.

    It may seem hard work and a thankless task, but you never know what potential customers will be searching for that leads to your site. In some cases, years later. 

  • tentenseven Launches with €500k Investment from The Unit

    tentenseven Launches with €500k Investment from The Unit

    As part of The Unit’s company restructure, its highly successful in-house marketing division will be launched as an agency serving iGaming and sports betting industries

    31 JANUARY, 2025 – The Unit, a leader in product design and development for sports betting and iGaming, has invested €500,000 to launch marketing agency tentenseven. This exciting transformation of The Unit’s in-house marketing division marks the latest step in its growth strategy and expansion roadmap.

    Following an expansion in The Unit’s marketing offering, the marketing team will now operate as tentenseven, which will stand as its own entity. On top of paid search and marketing planning, tentenseven will offer SEO, PPC, social media, brand strategy, editorial content, influencer marketing services and social media production among its many areas of expertise.

    Feargal Byrne, Director of Strategic Marketing at The Unit, will head up the new phase of growth at tentenseven as Director of iGaming, Ecommerce and Fintech.

    In January, The Unit announced a refresh of its visual brand identity, including a new company logo and redesigned website, which reflected the company’s recent growth and ambitious expansion plans. These expansion plans were signified by the recent opening of The Unit’s North American hub in New York City. As part of the brand refresh, the company is focusing on product design and development, with the marketing side of the business now operating as a standalone agency.

    Paddy Casey, Co-founder at The Unit, said: “After kicking off 2025 with our brand refresh, we are redefining our structure as a business. With additional funding in place, we think now is the right time for tentenseven to stand in its own right as a marketing leader in the industry. With this investment, tentenseven has the means to grow and maximise its potential in the coming years. We expect to see tentenseven expand in the short and long-term, just as we expect with The Unit.

    “In his time with The Unit, Feargal has demonstrated his ability to help clients develop their marketing strategies, establishing channel-level approaches across PPC, social and SEO. Feargal is perfectly positioned to run tentenseven and steward the company into this new and exciting era.”

    Feargal Byrne added: “I am delighted to be given the opportunity to lead tentenseven as Director of iGaming, Ecommerce and Fintech.

    “This is an exciting period for The Unit as a company, and with this significant investment, tentenseven will have the capability to expand and make further headway in the market. That’s great news not just for us, but also for our clients. I can’t wait to get started on this project with the team and I look forward to putting our plans for tentenseven into action as quickly as possible.”


    ABOUT THE UNIT:The Unit is an experienced product design and development company, headquartered in Ireland, Moldova and New York City, which builds innovative products and solutions for the sports betting and iGaming sector. The Unit’s dedication to create world-class, scalable products sets the company apart in key domains of expertise around product design and development, MarTech and innovation for the iGaming industry. The Unit has delivered a wide range of products and services for notable names such as PlayStar Casino, 10star, Low6, Sportingtech, TXOdds, and NorthStar Gaming.

    ABOUT TENTENSEVEN:With a team of experienced marketing professionals, tentenseven specialises in a wide range of services, including digital marketing, brand development, content creation, traditional marketing, and social media management. The agency’s mission is to empower businesses to thrive in a competitive environment by leveraging advanced marketing techniques and data-driven insights.

  • United in Agreement: The Importance of Flexible Marketing Objectives

    United in Agreement: The Importance of Flexible Marketing Objectives

    It’s only thirteen days ago that Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim stated that “it was really clear” that his side were in a relegation battle. Fast forward a little under two weeks, and his team have battled to a creditable draw at Anfield – against arguably the world’s most in-form side – and knocked Arsenal out of the FA Cup after an epic clash at the Emirates. 

    Change in the Odds

    Their odds for relegation have lengthened from 40/1 to 66/1 in the interim period and suddenly, whisper it quietly, things are looking up at Old Trafford. There have been many false dawns in the post-Alex Ferguson era at United and it is hard to argue against this being another one.

    However, in under a fortnight, United fans have gone from pondering whether there are three worse sides in the top flight to dreaming of cup success and an ascent up the table. 

    What a Difference a Week Makes

    United’s latest turnaround of fortune is a perfect example of how campaign objectives can change. Just as a football team must adapt its strategy and objectives in response to the ever-changing dynamics of a season, so too must marketing campaigns be flexible to the ever-shifting landscape of consumer behaviour, market conditions and organisational goals. 

    For example, a campaign initially designed to boost brand awareness may pivot towards driving conversions if early metrics indicate a strong engagement but low sales. This flexibility in objectives is not a sign of failure but a critical component of effective marketing strategy. Many companies are guilty of rigidly sticking to campaign objectives despite insights gathered from customer feedback and data analysis which indicate a change in strategy is required.

    Contact us now at tentenseven to discuss your organisation’s marketing objectives and how they can – and should – change over time.