NextPlay Technologies Appoints Award-Winning Digital Media Executive, Andrew Greaves, as Chief Operating Officer, and Travel Industry Veteran, Tim Sikora, as Chief Information Officer
SUNRISE, FL, Aug. 30, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via NewMediaWire – NextPlay Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ:NXTP), a technology solutions company and digital business ecosystem for digital advertisers, consumers, video gamers and travelers, has appointed Andrew Greaves as chief operating officer. Tim Sikora, was also appointed to serve as NextPlay's chief information officer, as well as president and chief operating officer of the company's NextTrip travel division.
Greaves brings to NextPlay more than 15 years of award-winning achievement and senior level experience leading gaming, eSports and digital media companies. He previously co-founded and served as COO of Promethean TV, an award-winning interactive video overlay service for digital media. He oversaw the company's growth from inception in 2016 to generating multi-millions in annual revenue.
Prior to Promethean, Greaves served as vice president of product and technology at Azubu.tv, an eSports streaming platform, where he led the growth in monthly active users from 1 million to 20 million. He also oversaw the European expansion of the competitive eSports platform, Virgin Gaming.com.
He earlier served in executive positions at Electronic Arts, initially as a studio program director in Europe where he was responsible for the localized adoption of EA technologies. Then as senior producer for the EA SPORTS FIFA team, he oversaw the online EA Sports Football portal that included five FIFA titles, including the BAFTA award-winning FIFA10.
"Andrew's appointment reflects the changing landscape of our target markets that now increasingly encompass video gaming and Connected TV services on an international scale," stated NextPlay co-CEO, Bill Kerby. "Given his many years of international experience and success in eSports and digital media, we anticipate Andrew to drive strong growth and market expansion, especially with our newly acquired divisions that include Zappware for Connected TV and HotPlay for in-game advertising. He will also help lead the integration of these assets with our financial and travel platforms."
Commented Greaves: "The complementary businesses and technologies that have become part of the NextPlay platform over the last several months have created a commanding competitive advantage for the company as a whole and in each of their respective markets. I have to admire the company's management and board of directors for their vision, determination and brilliant strategies that have transformed the company into a digital media powerhouse during one of the most challenging periods ever in the travel industry. I'm tremendously excited to join the company at this pivotal stage in its growth and development."
Added Kerby: "Also of great importance, Andrew's appointment allows Tim Sikora to focus on developing and growing our NextTrip travel division and its integration with our new digital ecosystem. Since joining us in the fall of 2019, Tim has transformed our travel business. Introducing new ideas and insights, he vastly strengthened our travel management and booking solutions for businesses, property managers, travel distributors, and online travel agencies worldwide."
A highly accomplished executive and innovator, Sikora brings to NextPlay more than 23 years of IT, sales and operational experience in the travel industry. He previously served as director of North America Sales at Boeing, the world's largest aerospace company. He earlier served as director of Information Technology End User Services at US Airways, and VP of airline operations and chief information officer at Caribbean Sun Airlines.
"The travel industry continues to experience recovery, creating a multitude of growth opportunities unique to these times," commented Sikora. "We recognize it is critical we seize upon them today—especially while we enjoy the clear advantage provided by our leading travel technology which is used by travel industry leaders, such as Trisept Solutions, HomeToGo and numerous others in our pipeline. In 2021 we have positioned NextTrip Business and NextTrip Journeys for growth by combining innovative technology with personalized service that will only be strengthened by key new elements of our digital ecosystem."
About NextPlay Technologies
NextPlay Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ:NXTP) is a technology solutions company offering games, in-game advertising, crypto-banking, connected TV and travel booking services to consumers and corporations within a growing worldwide digital ecosystem. NextPlay's engaging products and services utilize innovative AdTech, Artificial Intelligence and Fintech solutions to leverage the strengths and channels of its existing and acquired technologies. For more information about NextPlay Technologies, visit www.NextPlayTechnologies.com and follow us on Twitter @NextPlayTech and LinkedIn.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of, and within the safe harbor provided by the Safe Harbor Provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements give our current expectations, opinions, beliefs or forecasts of future events and performance. A statement identified by the use of forward-looking words including "will," "may," "expects," "projects," "anticipates," "plans," "believes," "estimate," "should," and certain of the other foregoing statements may be deemed forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, these statements involve risks and uncertainties that may cause actual future activities and results to be materially different from those suggested or described in this news release. Factors that may cause such a difference include risks and uncertainties related to our need for additional capital which may not be available on commercially acceptable terms, if at all, which raises questions about our ability to continue as a going concern; the fact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had, and is expected to continue to have, a significant material adverse impact on the travel industry and our business, operating results and liquidity; amounts owed to us by third parties which may not be paid timely, if at all; certain amounts we owe under outstanding indebtedness which are secured by substantially all of our assets and penalties we may incur in connection therewith; the fact that we have significant indebtedness, which could adversely affect our business and financial condition; uncertainty and illiquidity in credit and capital markets which may impair our ability to obtain credit and financing on acceptable terms and may adversely affect the financial strength of our business partners; the officers and directors of the Company have the ability to exercise significant influence and voting control over the Company; stockholders may be diluted significantly through our efforts to obtain financing, satisfy obligations and complete acquisitions through the issuance of additional shares of our common or preferred stock; if we are unable to adapt to changes in technology, our business could be harmed; our travel business depends substantially on property owners and managers renewing their listings; if we do not adequately protect our intellectual property, our ability to compete could be impaired; our long-term success depends, in part, on our ability to expand our property owner, manager and traveler bases outside of the United States and, as a result, our business is susceptible to risks associated with international operations; unfavorable changes in, or interpretations of, government regulations or taxation of the evolving ALR, Internet and e-commerce industries which could harm our operating results; risks associated with the operations of, the business of, and the regulation of our recent acquisitions of Longroot Holding (Thailand) Company Limited (Longroot), HotPlay Enterprise Limited (HotPlay) and NextBank International (formerly IFEB); the market in which we participate being highly competitive, and because of that we may be unable to compete successfully with our current or future competitors; our potential inability to adapt to changes in technology, which could harm our business; the volatility of our stock price; risks associated with the integration of the operations of HotPlay, Longroot and IFEB, which acquisitions we recently competed; the fact that we may be subject to liability for the activities of our property owners and managers, which could harm our reputation and increase our operating costs; and that we have incurred significant losses to date and require additional capital which may not be available on commercially acceptable terms, if at all. More information about the risks and uncertainties faced by NextPlay are detailed from time to time in NextPlay's periodic reports filed with the SEC, including its most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, under the headings "Risk Factors". These reports are available at www.sec.gov. Other unknown or unpredictable factors also could have material adverse effects on the Company's future results and/or could cause our actual results and financial condition to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned that any forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected. The forward-looking statements in this press release are made only as of the date hereof. The Company takes no obligation to update or correct its own forward-looking statements, except as required by law, or those prepared by third parties that are not paid for by the Company. If we update one or more forward-looking statements, no inference should be drawn that we will make additional updates with respect to those or other forward-looking statements.
Source: NextPlay Technologies, Inc
Company Contacts:
NextPlay Technologies, Inc
Richard Marshall
Director of Corporate Development
Tel (954) 888-9779
[email protected]
