for early access to the latest igaming videos!
and get the latest igaming news first!
Press Box PR has formally appointed gambling industry commercial expert and former Playtech Chief Commercial Officer, John Pettit, as Executive Chairman, marking a significant leadership step for the fast-growing digital PR agency.
Pettit has been involved with Press Box PR since its earliest days, having invested in the business in 2020 shortly after founder Alex Donohue launched the agency. Since then, he has worked closely with the leadership team in a non-executive advisory capacity, supporting the company’s commercial strategy, market positioning and long-term growth. His transition into the Executive Chairman role formalises that long-standing relationship and highlights the agency’s evolution into a multi-million-pound operation serving leading brands across gambling, sport and consumer sectors.
With offices in London and Manchester, Press Box PR specialises in digital PR for gambling, sports, consumer, finance, hospitality and catering media, while also helping brands secure visibility in AI citations and LLM recommendations.
Pettit brings more than two decades of experience across regulated gambling, sports betting and technology. He spent over eight years at Playtech BGT Sports, including as Chief Commercial Officer, where he led global commercial strategy for both retail and digital channels, working closely with operators, regulators and partners in highly regulated markets. Alongside his advisory and investment activity across gambling, technology and property, he most recently acted as a strategic advisor for Grosvenor Casino, helping maximise opportunities around incorporating sports betting into land-based UK casinos.
In his new role at Press Box PR, Pettit will continue working closely with Donohue and the senior leadership team to help shape the agency’s strategic direction, support client growth in regulated industries and further position the company as a leading PR and content partner for gambling operators, suppliers and adjacent fintech and technology businesses.
Alex Donohue, Founder and Managing Director of Press Box PR, said:
“John has been part of the Press Box PR story from the very beginning. He backed the business at an early stage and has played a hugely important role behind the scenes as we’ve grown. Formalising his position as Executive Chairman is a natural next step and reflects both the scale we’ve reached and where we want to go next. His experience, judgement and understanding of the gambling industry are invaluable.”
Pettit said:
“I invested in Press Box PR because I believed in the vision Alex had for building a modern, earned-first PR agency that truly understands regulated industries. I’ve enjoyed working closely with the team over the past few years and I’m delighted to step into the Executive Chairman role. Press Box PR has built a strong reputation in gambling and beyond, and I’m excited to help support the next phase of growth.”
Pettit will join the Press Box PR team attending ICE in Barcelona from January 19 to 21.
