Jessica Bridge – Ladbrokes – More than ribbons on a trophy

On Monday Ladbrokes announced a deal which gives them exclusive naming rights to two of the biggest events in Snooker next month. We caught up with PR Manager Jessica Bridge to discuss the deal and its importance to Ladbrokes as part of a growing portfolio of sporting sponsorships.

SBC: Hi Jessica. Ladbrokes recently signed a deal with World Snooker to sponsor both the World Grand Prix and Players Championship tournaments this year. How happy are you to have secured this deal?

JB: We are incredibly happy to become involved within this great sport once again. Snooker has a global appeal and we’re looking forward to working with Barry Hearn and his team.

SBC: The agreement follows on from your backing of the Masters tournament at Wembley and sits alongside Rugby League’s Challenge Cup in your portfolio of sporting sponsorships; how important are these deals to your strategy and growing the Ladbrokes brand?

JB: We’re bolstering our sponsorship portfolio all the time and the addition of two popular snooker tournaments will serve us well. Sponsorship at Ladbrokes is much more than sticking ribbons on a trophy and we’re looking forward to working with World Snooker to raise the profile of these events even further.

SBC: BetVictor recently sponsored the successful Welsh Open at the Motorpoint Arena in Cardiff; were you watching the event to pick up on anything you could do better with the Ladbrokes sponsored events?

JB: At Magic Sign HQ we’re only focused on making the best out of our own superb tournaments and sponsorships.

SBC: Fair enough! It’s fair to say Snooker’s popularity as a betting sport continues to increase, particularly in-play, with almost 80% of total stakes in 2015 wagered during matches; what are the most popular in-play snooker markets on Ladbrokes?

JB: It mostly match betting, current frame betting, next frame betting and of course the 147 market that tantalises the taste buds of snooker’s in-play punters.

SBC: Talking of the 147, you have confirmed that Ladbrokes will double the bonus paid by World Snooker to any player for a successful 147 break; was this decision taken in light of Ronnie O’Sullivan’s decision not to go for the maximum in Cardiff?

JB: We just want to offer the best possible entertainment for both players and viewers, so we’re more than happy to double the bonus and add to the excitement when a 147 is on the table.

Jessica Bridge, PR Manager.

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