Internet Business Expert

Franchising Network: Internet Authorized Training Centers

My experience on the Internet Business started long time ago at BBS's World when I was a contributor to several computer magazines among which include PC World and Microsoft Programmer's Journal (now MSDN Magazine). In 1992, boast a Compuserve email account that accessed via a 2,400 baud modem. In the company which I worked for at that time, Information and Image Management Systems opened a new business line of value-added training and I started scheduling seminars of the so-called Information Highways, ISDN, Internet Business, etc. But the Internet came into Spain from a business perspective thanks to Servicom. I made a proposal to the founder Eduald Domenech to create a Training Center Franchise that was authorized Internet distribution channel for connection kits. We became the Master franchise of Servicom and within a year we achieved more than 60 Training Centers throughout Spain. It was a great success for both companies.

Early Internet: ISP's Marketing & Sales

Later I worked in two of the pioneers ISP's in Spain. One was RedesTB I worked there as Marketing Director and I was in charge of launch to mass market achieving more than 50,000 users in a few months. We also pioneered the launch of B2B products for Small Business through an Agreement with Telefonica. Later I worked for Servicom (now Ono), with I collaborated previously with the Training Centers, as a Commercial Director, leading a team of salesmen and pre-sales engineers. The experience of team management and sales in key accounts such as Insurance and Banking was fascinating.

R&D: Cirsagames, iSlot

I spent six years at the helm of a software development team in Cirsa where we create a full suite of casino games and lottery called Cirsagames. All was builded with J2EE framework: game server, game client and backoffice. They worked on PCs and internet kiosks. Some pieces of the software was purchased from a Seattle start-up called Garrink LLC. I made the whole process of due diligence and purchase. American lawyers helped in this process. Our software had a big difference from any other: games and backoffice was designed collecting all the experience from land based Casino experts and integrate with Internet standards to offer a good mix of two worlds. From professionals by professionals.

iSlot (Trade Mark, recently sold) was the last project I did for the B2B division of Cirsa. It was an experience of Corporate Enterpreneurship. I found the support and race money for a project internally to transform our internet kiosk in a true slot machine based on PC motherboard and internet technology (now known as SBG). A project inspired by Steve Jobs philosophy, trying to make the iTunes and the iPod of the slot machines. We were the first to mount a flat screen 20" (when average was 14") which accounted for 50% of the cost of the machine, but it was spectacular. Fully developed in J2EE with total abstraction of operating system (Windows XP Embedded) and devices. The games could be downloaded from the Internet and mathematics could be changed dynamically according to player patterns behaviour to improve the user experience. The pilot project was deployed in Colombia.

Gaming: Livingcasino.com, Botemania.com, Azartia.com

 In terms of Internet business operation, I have been managing various projects. The first operation was Livingcasino.comInternet (1999-2000). I was responsible for the whole project from scratch and i was involved in all its facets: suppliers, technology, team recruiting, international corporate structure. The technology provider was Gambling Software.

Botemania was completely different story. I was hired by Gamesys as Spain Country Manager managing a team of 24 people, half in Spain and half in the UK. I divided my time between the two countries and reporting to the CEO. My duties covered all aspects of the operation (Acquisition, Retention, Vips, Conversion, CS, HR, Biz Dev, B2B JV's, etc..). One of the biggest challenges was the rebranding from the old juegatusuerte.com to the new botemania.com.

Azartia.com is the project I'm involved now. Although it operates casino and bingo, we focus on poker . Our gaming provider is PartyGaming (now bwin.party), the World largest Poker Network that complies with UIGEA. Here we have built Spain's largest poker social network called Equipoazartia.com. Azartiapoker.com is the sponsor for weekly poker tournaments in Cirsa land based casinos (Azartia League) all over 8 Spanish Speaking Countries and for the Cirsa Poker Tour also.