Novomatic Americas, the Chicago-based subsidiary of Austrian slot manufacturing giant Novomatic AG, announced that Kathleen McLaughlin has been appointed to the executive tam as vice president of marketing.
McLaughlin brings over 28 years of casino industry experience and results-driven integrated marketing to the role, where she will oversee all marketing and communications. She will report to Rick Meitzler, president and CEO of North America, and will be based in the Chicago area.
“This is an exciting time at Novomatic Americas, with opportunities for us to propel our business forward,” said Meitzler. “Kathleen McLaughlin is an established gaming industry professional with an exceptionally creative marketing mind. Kathleen has demonstrated success on both the manufacturing and operations sides of our business. Given her strong game and brand expertise, coupled with her years of global operations experience—especially in explosive growth markets like Asia and Oklahoma—she is the right senior executive at the perfect time.”
McLaughlin began her 28-year career in gaming by launching the first ever-player tracking system at the Las Vegas Hilton, and moved into slot operations with Mirage Resorts, Inc., in the early 1990s. She led riverboat expansion into Illinois as the director of slot operations and slot marketing for Hollywood Casino, Inc., and was recruited to spearhead marketing for WMS Gaming, Inc., where she launched the Monopoly product into the North American Gaming market. She created iconic brands and product lines for WMS Gaming, Inc., like Reel Em’ In, Filthy Rich and Life of Luxury, and helped to establish WMS as the leader in low-denomination, multi-line video gaming.
McLaughlin also held senior corporate slot operations positions with Caesars Entertainment, where she was vice president of gaming, vice president of product development and director of slot operations.
