Frankfurt-listed online lottery provider ZEAL Network has confirmed the departure of chief commercial officer (CCO) Sonke Martens after nearly ten years in the role.
Martens joined Zeal in 2014 and has held various management roles including head of product and managing director, where he helped shape the company’s multi-brand strategy following its takeover of Lotto24. He was appointed CCO and became a member of the Executive Board in July 2021.
ZEAL confirmed that Martens has now stepped down from the Board but will continue to serve the company until the end of February 2024 to ensure a seamless transition of his responsibilities.
Following his departure, ZEAL has streamlined its Executive Board to three members.
“I would like to thank Sönke Martens for his relentless dedication towards ZEAL and its brands LOTTO24 and Tipp24 in the past years,” said ZEAL Network chairman of the supervisory board Peter Steiner. “With his innovative spirit, he has shaped ZEAL’s culture and made significant contributions to making ZEAL a best-in-class e-commerce company and the market leader for online lotteries.”
Zeal Network CEO Helmut Becker added: “On behalf of the entire executive board I would like to extend my gratitude and best wishes to Sönke for his passion and startup spirit he brought to the company. Only this year, he and his team successfully launched the biggest marketing campaign in the history of LOTTO24.
“Under his leadership ZEAL tripled billings in the core business, successfully integrated the LOTTO24 and Tipp24 businesses, and achieved a significant improvement in customer lifetime values and the way we win new customers.
“We regret his decision to leave ZEAL and pursue entrepreneurial opportunities outside of ZEAL and wish him the best for the future.”
Shares in ZEAL Network SE (FRA:TIM) were trading 1.07 per cent higher at €33.20 per share in Frankfurt Friday morning.