The move to the east puts Marrandino in control of 40% of the casino revenue in Atlantic City and makes him one of the most powerful gaming executives in the US.
He will offer some new blood into a group of casinos that could use it.
Sammy Hagar, the famed “Red Rocker” who had a turn as Van Halen’s lead singer, was one of the hard-rock performers recruited by Marrandino for casino shows.
“He’s a new age casino guy,” Hagar said. “When I was growing up, if you went to Vegas, you were down. But Don is part of a new group of people who turned Vegas around. The guy has got a magic touch. He knows what is cool and what people want to do.”
Atlantic City casino marketing, as a whole, seems to be stuck in a rut. I’m not sure if new blood will help the Harrah’s, and the market as a whole, but it certainly can’t hurt. I don’t imagine many of his ideas will be original, but I don’t think that’s needed. I think he can make a dent in income by taking some marketing ideas that have worked in Las Vegas and bringing them to Atlantic City.
I asked Dominick Crane, Director of National Casino Marketing Marketing for Caesar’s and Harrah’s, if this was a good thing and his response was “thats a great thing! Don is a great guy and has a lot of vision and experience to keep our casinos on top!”
Time will tell, but I’m looking forward to fresh blood and new ideas. Idea #1, improve the food quality and service at the boardwalk properties.
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