CEO Jonas Warrer discussed the company's rebranding from GiG Media to Gentoo, including the new name, logo, and visual identity, while maintaining the original team and brand. The company now operates under the name Gentoo to create a unified identity and culture.
Warrer (as shown above), with his extensive background in innovation and business development, is a leader who truly embodies the diversity of modern leadership. His enthusiasm is infectious. His approachable demeanor, along with his evident passion for the industry, not only makes him a popular figure but also inspires those around him. This charismatic style is clearly a driving force behind Gentoo's innovative progress in the industry.
The official spin-off is scheduled for the second half of 2024. This transformation is not just about changing the name and logo, but a significant step towards creating a unified identity and culture under the Gentoo banner. Warrer explains that despite these changes, the team and brand remain unchanged, ensuring continuity.
Jonas Warrer believes that rebranding is not just about a new name, but a strategic move to strengthen the business. He had comprehensive discussions with partners and employees to identify the core characteristics needed for the business. These values and attributes are now reflected in the new brand, which he believes will catalyze operational enhancements. Warrer is confident in the rebranding, believing it will make the business structure more robust, offer substantial benefits to shareholders, and enhance confidence in Gentoo's future prospects.
In Gentoo's leadership strategy, a key aspect is balancing tradition with innovation. He shared methods of encouraging innovation while maintaining the company's authenticity. He expressed his commitment to preserving Gentoo's core values: humility, drive, and collaboration. Warrer said he actively strives to interact with as many people within the company as possible, fostering collaboration within and outside the team. By adhering to these values and promoting teamwork, he believes Gentoo can generate new ideas and advance the business.
Warrer further elaborated on the origin of the name Gentoo, a tribute to Rebel Penguin, reflecting agility, resilience, and pioneering spirit. This legacy will continue to influence the company's ethos, fostering innovation, flexibility, and a rebellious attitude towards industry barriers. Gentoo's business strategy will reflect these principles, focusing on innovation and the continuous pursuit of excellence. This harmonious blend of respecting the past and fearlessly embracing the future is a defining feature of Gentoo's identity.
Business Spin-off
When asked how Gentoo is preparing to face the challenges that the company spin-off might bring, Warrer stated that the company has been preparing for this transition for a long time, and the two companies have actually been separated. However, he added, "Ensuring a smooth transition and maintaining high-quality operations is crucial for us." He agreed that the company will face many challenges, especially in transitioning corporate and support functions from a centralized setup to two new business units. Warrer continued to say that after separating from Gaming Innovation Group, Gentoo now has a strategic plan to maintain a competitive edge. He acknowledged the effort and dedication needed for a successful rebranding. He also emphasized the significant support Gentoo has received from investors, partners, and employees in the planned spin-off. He believes this reflects the strong relationships and trust Gentoo has cultivated with stakeholders over the years.
The focus is on enhancing the company's agency business and continuing the strong organic growth experienced in recent years.
Warrer recognizes the importance of technology and business intelligence (BI) in maintaining competitiveness. The company intends to continue investing in these areas to strengthen its proprietary media and marketing platforms and unique BI. By increasing understanding of data, Gentoo aims to deliver even more impressive results in the future.
Recent Acquisitions and 13 Impressive Quarters
In the past 12 months, Gentoo has made three significant acquisitions: Ask Gamblers, KaFe Rocks, and the recent Casinomeister. These acquisitions are strategically aligned to maintain Gentoo's leading position in casino representation and advance its diversification strategy.
Warrer stated that while the acquisition of Casinomeister might seem unexpected, the opportunity was too good to miss. Going forward, Gentoo plans to focus on integrating the recently acquired companies and building on the progress made with Ask Gamblers.
Warrer also highlighted Gentoo's impressive financial performance, achieving record-breaking revenue for 13 consecutive quarters. Specifically, on May 7, 2024, GiG Media reported a historical high Q1 revenue of 28 million euros, up 52% from 18.4 million euros (21% organic growth). The EBITDA for the same period was 13.5 million euros, up from 8 million euros. Additionally, GiG Media's first-time deposits (FTD) were 125,100, up 13% year-over-year (YoY) from 110,800.
Warrer also discussed the company's strategic plans. The company is operationally ready for the formal spin-off of media and platforms and sports betting. This spin-off is expected to take place in the third quarter of 2024, pending approval, and further demonstrates Gentoo's commitment to transparency and shareholder communication.
