
AI and the Retail Marketer’s Future
How AI transforms strategy and processes, driving the adoption of Positionless Marketing
Forrester: Optimove’s Total Economic Impact
Why it matters:
A well-designed marketing technology (martech) stack is crucial for delivering seamless customer experiences. The ability to process data quickly and at scale can determine a company’s competitive edge. FanDuel’s focus on speed and scalability has created a martech stack that meets current demands and is prepared for future growth. Their journey offers valuable insights for businesses on building and evolving a martech stack that drives customer engagement and business growth.
Key takeaways:
At Optimove Connect 2024, conference, Stan Bashmashnikov, Senior Director, Marketing Technology & Operations, at FanDuel (the premiere US sports betting site), presented on the critical role of speed and scale in marketing technology.
Stan explained that martech is not merely a collection of integrated technologies; it is an architectural framework that processes complex data to enhance customer interactions. This involves capturing front-end events, such as user interactions, and back-end events, like specific betting details, and channeling this data into a customer data platform (CDP), CRM, AI, and machine learning systems to create personalized experiences.
He underscored that speed and scale are the cornerstones of success in martech. In the sports betting industry, real-time data processing is crucial, as every moment counts. This includes timely promotions and instant transactions. Meanwhile, preparing for future growth and increased demand is essential, ensuring that FanDuel is ready to handle larger volumes of bets and expand into more states
FanDuel’s martech journey began in 2018, when the concept of a dedicated martech team was embryonic. Initially, product teams managed tools separately, leading to limited integration. By 2020, the martech team was formalized, launching initial automations, and expanding CRM capabilities. In 2022, the integration of martech with operations streamlined processes and enhanced both speed and scale. Specialized squads were created to tackle specific challenges, such as increasing customer engagement and optimizing the betting experience.
Team Structure and Strategy
FanDuel formed dedicated teams for data analytics, platform technology, and demand management to manage and optimize customer interactions. Additionally, “squads” (like SWAT teams) were formed to address specific issues, combining expertise from various departments like marketing, SEO, digital, and social.
Looking ahead, FanDuel plans to continue expanding into new states and enhancing its technology stack. Investment in automations is key to improving both internal efficiencies and customer experiences. Emphasis on data governance ensures compliance with regulatory requirements and data accuracy.
Stan highlighted the potential of generative AI to streamline campaign creation and data integration tasks, making processes more efficient and automated. The focus is on moving from simple data queries to complex task automation, further enhancing martech capabilities.
To maintain their competitive edge, FanDuel will continue to invest in best-in-class technology and continuously upgrade their martech stack. Automations will be utilized to create time for employees and enhance customer experiences. Ensuring regulatory compliance and effective data management remains a priority. Furthermore, FanDuel will innovate through testing and learning frameworks to adapt and improve marketing strategies.
The journey of martech at FanDuel highlights the significance of speed and scale in delivering exceptional customer experiences and preparing for future growth.
For more insights on creating a martech stack enabling speed and scalability and to learn about the role of Optimove’s best-in-class Customer-Led Marketing platform, request demo.
Forrester: Optimove’s Total Economic Impact
The Forrester Total Economic Impact™ Study shows that Optimove’s Positionless Marketing Platform drives an 88% boost in campaign efficiency.


Jeff Laniado has led iGaming sales for Optimove in the US and Canada for over four years, working with top operators in sports betting, iCasino, DFS, sweepstakes, and lottery.
He is responsible for managing many of the US-focused iLottery partnerships. Jeff has more than a decade of experience in sports, gaming, and promotional marketing strategy and sales.


