EBM Magazine #02

BUSINESS & LIFESTYLE

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contents

party

8. BEHIND THE SCENES AT SHOWERS 2017

cover story

16. HOW TO CREATE A SUCCESSFUL CULTURAL MELTING POT…VIDEOSLOTS’ WINNING TAKE ON DIVERSITY

community

24. THE LION’S PRIDE

marketing

31. THE FUTURE OF MARKETING

people

34. MEET THE ORIGINAL IRISH CHARMER – PATRICK J O’BRIEN ON LIFE, CHARITY AND HIS LOCAL’S SALT OF THE EARTH

fashion

38. #WEEKENDVIBES

love

44. FRIDA AND MAX: A MODERN page 4

EBM

MAGAZINE AUTUMN 2017

DAY FAIRYTALE OF LOVE AND ADVENTURE

health

56. A STEP AHEAD: FAST-TRACK HEALTHCARE FOR THE RAPIDLY GROWING IGAMING SECTOR

adventure

60. DISCOVER MALTA WITH MALTATINA

food

66. FAST FOOD’S ENFANT TERRIBLE: NO DIVINE INTERVENTION REQUIRED

home

72. RE/MAX LETTINGS…AN EVEREVOLVING SUCCESS STORY

events

78. HOT AND HAPPENING IN MALTA!

dating

80. MATCH MADE IN HEAVEN

BY EBM

memo Oh boy, what a ride summer 2017 was! SHOWERS was definitely an event that really kicked it off for me! I was lucky enough to spend some time backstage and enjoy the buzz of making it all happen. If you too wonder what goes on behind the scenes during the day of the most extravagant party in Malta, head to page 8 for a sneak peek.

However, summer was not all about the fun, we've been busy hunting down the best stories from the gaming world on the island and beyond. We talked to the COO of VideoSlots Ulle Skottling discussing the importance of embracing diversity at the workplace on page 16, had prawn croissants for lunch prepared by the one and only Tommy Diacono while speaking about the future of NYB on page 72. Roderick Spiteri took us around LeoVegas offices and shared with us their plans for 'Leo initiative' on page 30. Did you know they adopted lions?

Summer wouldn't be complete without a love story and the one of Frida and Max will melt your heart!

For advertising email: hello@ebmmagazine.com @ebmmagazine

EBM Magazine Issue 1 took the island by storm due to its playful, creative yet business minded touch. We take the project to heart and I think that you will see the passion that we have brought into the magazine as you browse through the pages. EBM Magazine is a bold, trendsetting, creative magazine. And we are here to stay.

Pierre Lindh

Enjoy!

Pavli Medvedova EDITOR & DIGITAL INFLUENCER

August is my birthday month, so I am definitely a summer baby. I love the long days in summer. It gives you so much more time to do the things you like and more. My ideal relaxation would be to spend some time by the sea listening to the waves and an aperol spritz in hand.

I was working all through the summer on EBM Issue 2, which was even more exciting than the first one!

Can’t wait for the reader’s comments.

Kimberly Micallef CREATIVE DESIGNER KIMBERLYMICALLEF.COM

MANAGING DIRECTOR, AMBASSADÖR EVENTS page 5

contributors

GISELLE SCICLUNA JULIA BOIKOVA I’m a summer person who likes to spend long warm evenings by the water, floating on a lilo with a book in hand.

If it were to be winter, I only enjoy the one in Estonia. On the other hand, I like watching movies on the sofa with the AC on while drinking red wine ad pretending that it’s not 32 degrees outside. I would say that as a cool and special experience which marked this summer, was that I figured out how to make a parmigiana in a pan!

Let me start off by declaring that I hate the blasted season with a passion. But, because of huge protests back home, the likes of which haven’t been seen since Brexit, I have to make an effort, which usually I only extend as far as Gozo. Once there, lounging by some exotic pool in some remote area, with only the better half and the kids for company (unless as per usual we’re joined by the resident family of gargantuan geckos) I proceed to drink my weight (which is a lot) in mojitos and slapping on the Factor 50, at very frequent intervals. If some good Samaritan ever decided to gift me an all-expenses paid trip to a destination of my choice, it would have to be New York City, in winter (very important!).

JULIABOIKOVA.COM

BYRON DE FOCKERT An ideal summer for me is waking up, in a tent, on a beach with an amazing view and jump in the water before sunrise. Hell yeah! But at the moment, I am in the middle, together with a good friend and co-creator (Jesse Pas), of starting up a video production company called The Pack Productions. Most of our time during this summer has been spent in creating and being out there meeting people. Although we had some nice trips towards locations as Barcelona, Gran Canaria and the Netherlands... the real holiday is yet to come!

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KRIS MICALLEF

GRAZIELLE CAMILLERI I just love summer! There’s so much to do on the islands.

The traffic can be somewhat disturbing due to the tourism influx but nothing a motorcycle can’t handle! So many fun events and special moments with loved ones and friends. I enjoyed all the launches of new hot spots in Malta including SKYBEACH and HUGO’S INFINITY and so many new restaurants have opened their doors this year.

In summer, nothing tastes better than a Maltese ftira by the beach at sunset with a glass of white wine. Also, walking on the water front eating icecream (mint is my fav) is one of my favourite to do things in summer. I’ve been to Gran Canaria this summer which was a perfect get away from the Maltese busy beaches. You can’t really walk down the street here without bumping into your colleagues, relatives, exes etc. It can become quite annoying if all you want sometimes is to go unnoticed, if you know what I mean.

KRISMICALLEF.COM

GRAZIELLECAMILLERI.COM

JACOB SAMMUT

MARTINA BRTNICKA

By far, I enjoy a nice cold ice beer or cider in summer, though I am surely more of a winter person.

Nothing beats a couple of drinks around a bonfire or a fireplace. I did not find time to travel this year, as I was busy planning a few projects. One of them is my upcoming book. That’s all I’m going to say for now.

Growing up in the Czech Republic I loved winter especially the skiing trips in the mountains, but I have been living in Malta for the past 10 years and if I have to choose between summer and winter in Malta, then it would definitely be summer because it just makes me happy. The sun is shining, the skies are blue and I am either swimming or exploring Malta. I love the fact that Malta is full of life in summer. There is always an event to go to, a BBQ to attend or a festa to celebrate.

JACOBSAMMUTPHOTOGRAPHY.COM

MALTATINA.COM page 7

BEHIND THE SCENES AT SHOWERS 2017 Words by Grazielle Camilleri // Photography by Byron de Fockert

Any event will only be as good as the level of management skills going on behind the scenes, regardless of how great a concept may be. Events by Martin has undoubtedly developed a world-class reputation for producing bespoke events and experiences for cross-sector global brands and organisations on the Maltese islands and beyond.

The highly-anticipated poolside extravaganza known to thousands as ‘Showers’, powered

by Remax, returned to sun-soaked Malta this summer for its fifth consecutive year with yet another episode of unbridled fun, music, surprise entertainment highlights alongside major deejays Ruby, Armani, Daniel Pereaux,

page 8

Mikael Weermets and Kenan and Kerim and much more!

The revolutionary concept of Showers was unveiled four years ago by dynamic duo Martin Pettersson and Pierre Lindh, two proficient event organisers who made this unique event such a truly unprecedented success, that it has grown to be one of the hottest and most anticipated events in the Malta summer party calendar, with the idyllic Café del Mar as its stunning venue.

I am a huge fan of the event, so when I was invited to experience some Behind the Scenes action, I was honoured and thrilled!

For months prior to the big day, the team would have undergone numerous meetings

on site, sent thousands of emails, met with vendors, sponsors caterers, entertainers and so on. That’s not all. Despite all their hard work, things could go wrong on the day, so they would have to be thoroughly prepared to solve last-minute problems as quickly and as efficiently as possible.

When I arrived at 1pm, I went for a sneak peek backstage and found several gorgeous models getting briefed by Maria Tirone, Hostess Manager and Siana Jennings, Backstage Manager. With timings printed on the wall for every highlight item, everyone involved had a clear guide as to what was happening when. Ana Maria Velez, Operations Manager, was rushing out

the door to check on the operations at the main entrance.

Some acts, including the entertaining Moises Urena and Peter Carbonaro were having their makeup done, while two other young gentlemen were preparing hundreds of plastic balls to be thrown into the pool later on. As I roamed around the pool area for the most part of the day, enjoying the sun’s warm rays, captivated by the great vibes and cool tunes, I noticed John Lebiere, Marketing Manager, making sure all the partners and their branding on the day was all in place and that their refreshments including champagne bottles, fruit platters and beers were being sent out to their tables.

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3PM

Martin Pettersson VIP table manager is solving a problem on the spot. He noticed that there was an area in one of the VIP sections that was not accessible easily due to a congestion of people at its entrance, so he quickly gathers up a small group on his team to move a couple of sofas and change the entrance to this specific VIP area. Within 10 minutes, all is done very smoothly and the flow of people is much better.

page 10

party

2PM

Pierre Lindh greeting Marquis, one of the DJs, after he has just filmed and posted a live video from his phone on Facebook. All miked up, with a full calendar of the day’s events in hand, he is smiling to people arriving, but totally focused and talking to all the team backstage, answering any questions they may have on the day and solving any problems as they arise.

page 11

party

5PM Siana Jennings - Backstage manager was here ensuring that the next DJ lined up was all comfortable and ready for his gig. She was fantastic at keeping all the timings of all the acts in line. She introduced me to this awesome Swedish DJ, Michael Weermets, the main act at Showers 2017 who was flown in to Malta for the first time by EBM and was due to play at 9 pm.

page 12

party 7PM Alan Fitzpatrick - Production Manager is one who is constantly checking for sound, security issues. You will not find him easily.

Here we caught a back shot as he was on his way to plan for the fireworks highlight in front of the infinity pool.

page 13

WOW! This golden team had it all under wraps it seems as only a few small problems cropped up during the day, from what I saw and they were tackled with grace. The party went on into the early hours of the morning! Hundreds of partygoers had an incredible day, one to remember. Thank you for having us at this luxury party. Keep it rolling guys and girls!

Blogger and entrepreneur at www.graziellecamilleri.com @BlogByGrazielle @graziellecamilleri

page 14

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cover story

HOW TO CREATE A SUCCESSFUL CULTURAL MELTING POT… VIDEOSLOTS’ WINNING TAKE ON DIVERSITY Words by Giselle Scicluna // Photography by Kris Micallef // Makeup Kimberley Bajada // Styling Julia Boikova

So, there I am, sat in the spacious and airy reception area at the Videoslots’ offices in Pieta, waiting for the company’s COO Ulle Skottling to make an appearance. Not that I’m in any hurry – the serene vibe emanating from the place is enough to make me page 16

want to sit still and watch the world go slowly by. Soon enough, Ulle’s ushering me into his office; a calm and minimalist space where I will get to know more about Videoslots’ successful take on maintaining a diverse work environment.

cover story

D

iversity in the workplace means a lot of things to a lot of people, so we kick off the interview with the obvious.

What does promoting diversity in the workplace mean to Videoslots?

“It’s a question of attitude, passion and talent,” Ulle explains. “We do not set out to choose a particular ‘demographic’, far from it. We search for team players, who are not just competent, but are willing to share their knowledge. These would be a good fit for our ever-growing family – ethnicity, race or background do not come into it at any point. Because we do not limit ourselves, we obviously have a great cultural mix of people hailing from all over and obviously can boast of a diverse environment without having actually looked for it.”

A year ago, when Ulle took over as company COO, Videoslots employed around 60 to 70 people; that number has now risen to 112, sure evidence that the company is growing at an astounding pace. With such swelling numbers in such a short period of time, how is the company coping?

“The crux of the problem is not just finding personnel to fill in newly created posts, that we can easily do.

But here at Videoslots, we invest hugely in our employees and therefore are very selective. It’s not just a matter of educational background – we are more than willing to invest extra time and resources on who we believe is the prospective ideal candidate, it’s a matter of finding the person we believe can make a positive difference to the well-being of the company and the rest of the ‘family’. Obviously, this takes time and is putting quite a strain on the recruitment process. You need a lot of time and energy to find the right people to fill our Jobslots,” he says with a smile.

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"The customer is king, but at the end of the day, employees are the heart of the business, their success and wellbeing are ultimately the company’s success."

The role of COO might seem quite straightforward, but ensuring the smooth running of a company like Videoslots, where momentous growth is coupled with an array of different mindsets throughout all management levels, could be quite a daunting prospect. Ulle seems to take all this calmly into his stride and describes his role quite simply as the provider of an appropriate platform for all the team to flourish. “Take for instance our managers, the way I see it, no man is an island, so it is important that they all work well and bond with their teams, a sure way to bring in the best results for Videoslots, whilst also keeping everyone focused and determined even on a personal level. Even such seemingly simple issues need to be addressed. We need to focus constantly on our goals but not at the expense of losing sight of the big picture - by building new roles, taking a fresh perspective and most of all by constantly questioning ourselves whether we are doing this right,” Ulle states matter-of-factly.

With so many differing cultural influences all functioning together within a confined space, is there ever any friction between colleagues? Adamantly Ulle says, “A resounding no! We do our utmost to provide a safe, free platform, where everyone can share their ideas without being judged…Sometimes, these ideas bear fruit, other times not so much, but together as a family we manage to help pick up the pieces when something goes belly up. This is what a prosperous environment is all about, harvesting the sheer energy within the company by enabling every voice to be heard and supported.”

With such an interesting company ethos, what’s in the pipeline for Videoslots now? “We’re looking into launching into new markets by next year.

Considering the rapid growth of the company, creating a bigger senior management team has become a necessity. We always consider what our customers want and so we constantly need a fresh take on what we do. This is only possible through brainstorming and the more talent we get on board, the more we’re able to have that extra edge over the competition. A new design for our website, something that is totally original and unprecedented is also on the cards. Obviously, we’re also looking at new ways at improving our workplace environment; the employees’ wellbeing should always be top priority, should even transcend product innovation, which is our driving force. The customer is king, but at the end of the day, employees are the heart of the business, their success and wellbeing are ultimately the company’s success,” Ulle says as we conclude our interview.

With such a valuable philosophy at the company’s core, it’s really no surprise that Videoslots remains one step ahead of the game…And what a very far step it is indeed!

page 20

Words by Giselle Scicluna // Photography by Kris Micallef // Makeup Kimberley Bajada

Back to Videslots’ diversity culture, how does this help the company in competing with its rivals?

Does it give it an extra edge over its competitors?

Unhesitant Ulle replies, “I think there’s a general consensus, a trend if you like, within the industry on the whole, that an employee’s worth transcends his background or origin. A workforce built on bias or perhaps by creating a glass ceiling which prevents certain individuals from advancing within the company is a recipe for disaster. Innovation is the main key to our success and I believe that all key players within the industry strive to inject new, talented blood into their companies, regardless of where this talent is coming from. So, I do believe we are all on the same level playing field with regard to our views on diversity.”

GIRLS RULE: POWERING THE WORKPLACE, NO HOLDS BARRED

cover story

Picture this…Imagine walking onto the set of SATC, but with prettier, gutsier and wittier heroines. This is what it felt like walking into a tiny corner office at Videoslots’ in Pieta, on one sweltering August afternoon. Four different Videoslots’ employees, four different nationalities, all female, all brilliant, all eager to give their two cents’ worth on the company’s successful diverse environment.

While I ask the questions and our videographer shoots the whole process (thank you Sofia!), Lorraine, Hazel, Anna and Dunya are having their makeup done by a pro for their upcoming magazine shoot. Proper introductions are in order, so we start off with Lorraine, who’s Maltese but is adamant that she’s not a native, but would rather be defined as ‘a global citizen’, Anna who claims she’s 100% Russian, but ‘really and truly would love to be Maltese’, so much so, that (incredibly) she speaks English with a Maltese accent. Then there’s Hazel who hails from England, whose sharp wit can split hairs at a distance and Dunya who says she’s half-Maltese and half-Libyan and whose (relatively) quiet demeanour belies a wicked, cheeky sense of humour.

Four glittering butterflies who form part of the outstanding Videoslots’ team, they’re as unlike each other as they come, but the overwhelming sense of camaraderie they share is instantly apparent, even to an outsider. We settle in for our interview and start off with the first question that comes to mind; how has the company managed to create such a diverse environment? “Videoslots focuses on personalities, rather than on how many degrees and diplomas one can bring to the company. Of course, education is important, especially for certain roles but having the right attitude is even more of a priority,” Hazel chips in, “within such an environment, with people hailing from so many demographics with so many different characteristics and various age groups – our staff is aged between 18 and 56, patience is most often key.”

But how does it feel to actually be part of such a diverse team; does it pose any challenges? “It’s all about compromise,” says Anna breezily, “which I’m quite used to, having worked in the catering

industry as well as a legal practice, but it really is no big deal if you’re willing and committed.” What’s so attractive about such an innovative workplace? “It sure is fun! Watching the company grow at such a fast pace is incredible, though I do miss the more intimate feel when we were smaller,” Lorraine says. Why is that? I ask, curious. “I used to get to know everyone within minutes of their arrival, now there’s plenty of us, which makes it quite a bit challenging getting to know people quickly or at least as quickly as I used to. Apparently, I’m a control freak, or so they tell me, which is probably why I need to be in the loop all the time. Perhaps it’s because I’m the one who sends the happy emails to the staff, announcing our next big event, so I need to know my audience,” she says with a wry smile.

So, what’s the best thing about working in such a team? They all agree that it’s more of a support network than anything else - no matter how steamed up they are at each other, especially when the workload is insane and everyone is going off at different tangents, they all manage to come together for each other and the rest of the family, no matter what.

From what I’ve seen, heard and sensed, it seems as if Videoslots is a true workplace Nirvana; but what makes it so special? They think about it for about a nanosecond and Lorraine comes up with the perfect answer, “I think that the fact that you’re not being micro-managed all the time and made to feel valued and trusted as an employee, is what makes it so great. At least that’s what does it for me.

The empathy, the freedom of being whoever you want to be without being judged, whether you’re sporting huge tattoos or speaking in a strange accent. Stigma is unheard of in here, we are all appreciated for who we are, no more, no less,” to which they all nod in agreement, including Dunya, who until that moment was being primped and prodded by the makeup artist and therefore not in a very good position to get into the conversation.

“You have to be realistic, there’s no such thing as perfection, but we all try in our way to make it work for all of us here.

Bear in mind, that people come from all over, so we have to take of each other, as this is our home away from home and not just on a professional level,” says Anna. It seems as if the sisterhood is well alive and kicking at Videoslots, but how do they get on with the boys? “Really well, we’re all different so they seek us out for different problems. We are their colleagues and friends in good times and in bad, so whether it’s just for a chat, joke or catch up, or a shoulder to cry on, they always come to us,” Hazel says with a laugh.

It has been an interesting interview, one which lifts the soul and rekindles faith in the human spirit. As I leave the cool Videoslots’ office for the glare of the scorching afternoon sun, there’s a smile on my face, thinking that if we all manage to look beyond our prejudices, stigmas and hang-ups, the world would be a much, much better place for all of us… quite a bit like working at Videoslots, actually!

page 21

cover story

VOX POP Lorraine on…

What do the girls really think of each other?

We investigate…

Anna on…

“Hazel is a great listener and always so in control of her emotions…An amazing woman (and I’m not just saying that because she might fire me).”

“Truth be told our Lorraine is a bit crazy, almost always all over the place, but she’s the kindest person I know. A true heart of gold.”

“Dunya has been a very good influence. Maybe because she’s such a superstar mum, she’s my go-to person when I need a bit of guidance.”

"Show must go on"

“Anna is colourful, cute, soft. Quite like a breathing, living doll…Yes, seriously!”

“Hazel is the strongest. Come to think of it, she’s also got an adventurous streak, probably because she’s so outdoorsy.”

“Dunya is a bit like my double – we have very similar tastes.”

"Routine is LETHAL" page 22

Hazel on…

“I get on well with Lorraine. We’ve been through some personal stuff together, so we get each other.

She’s very passionate and driven; about everything.

When something puts her in a tizzy, which something invariably will, she normally barks but never bites.”

“Dunya mothers us all. Probably because she’s such a great mother herself, so I guess it comes natural to her…

She’s also a bit scatty, quite like Lorraine, come to think of it…”

“Anna the silent ninja! When she’s fuming about something, you can feel waves of frustration bounce off her, without her making a single sound. Then she bulldozes through whatever crappy situation is driving her mad and kaboom! She’s back as if nothing’s happened.”

"Don't let the bastards get you down"

Dunya on…

“I initially clicked with Anna because we’re both mummies. You know, bonding over potty-training and other very interesting mummy activities. She does have her moments, like, ‘Dunya, let me do your hair’ and I’m like ‘Aaaargh!’ Somehow, I always end up with some bizarre hairstyle.”

“I admire Hazel; she’s so strong and capable and can handle whatever comes her way, without her ever losing her cool.”

“Lorraine is hilarious, it’s always like a smiley minihurricane has come through the door…Mind, a minihurricane that’s always stuck to the phone.”

"It is what it is... So don't worry about something that's not happened" page 23

Photography by Jacob Sammut

THE LION’S PRIDE

community

LeoVegas’ Roderick Spiteri Schillig on working with lions, cultivating a gender neutral environment and sponsoring of Malta Pride page 24

The gaming industry is famously known as one the most vibrant and forward-thinking industries on the planet. And surely, they don’t come as revolutionary as LeoVegas, popularly known as the ‘King of Mobile Casino’. We spoke to Roderick Spiteri Schillig, Head of Communications at LeoVegas, to better understand what makes the LeoVegas vision so, so special…

How did LeoVegas come about?

LeoVegas was born by a series of semicoincidental events. Our two co-founders, Gustaf Hagman and Robin Ramm-Ericson, were playing around with their new iPhone and whilst spinning it on the table, they thought how that movement simulated the spinning of a roulette wheel. They realised how the smartphone market was revolutionising the way we used our mobile devices and that’s how the idea behind LeoVegas was born. They wanted to create the very first mobile gaming company. Granted, there were other companies offering their products on mobile but they were a replica of their desktop offering – the only difference was that everything was squashed to fit smaller screens.

Your slogan is ‘King of Mobile Casino’- how has this come about?

The slogan ‘King of Mobile Casino’ manages to encapsulate what we stand for – the king (i.e. the very best) in mobile casino. LeoVegas was built mobile-first so our product is extremely fast on mobile.

A fun fact is that the slogan was used in our advertising when we launched in the UK where broadcasters aren’t allowed to show ads that are misleading, harmful or offensive.

So before ads are shown, a regulator called Clearcast checks them against the UK Code of Broadcast Advertising (the BCAP sets out what is and isn’t permitted). We therefore had to justify why we’re using that slogan and

page 25

community happily, Clearcast accepted our statement that we’re indeed the king of mobile casino.

Nowadays, we’ve upgraded that to say that we’re king of mobile gaming because besides casino we now also offer live casino (and we’ve got the largest selection of tables with some über-cool features) and sports (and proud to have the fastest sportsbook out there).

What’s it like to work at LeoVegas?

Fun! Despite our commercial success and industry recognition, what we are really proud of at LeoVegas is our most valued resource – our Lions, or as other companies would put it, personnel. I have to say that our recruiters have made a fantastic job here, as I’m lucky enough to be working alongside some of the most talented and hardworking people in the industry.

One of the aspects that is really cherished, is the entrepreneurial spirit that permeates throughout the organisation. You can also experience the ‘startup’ element, whereby decisions get acted upon quick and you can start seeing the results of your initiatives right away. This works so well because of the great people who work here and the culture of making things happen.

The staff complement at LeoVegas is around 450, spread in our offices in Malta, Italy, Sweden and the UK. Our office in Sliema is the largest we have and hosts around 70% of our Lions. It’s an amazing office - we have managed to create a great working environment, with various recreational areas and terraces with stunning views.

Tell us a bit about the ‘Leo Initiative’.

Our Lions benefit from various perks such as gym subsidies, free classes at one of the leading fitness clubs, a healthy snack bar that they can help themselves to at any time and also a free breakfast buffet every Friday. Moreover, we allow our Lions to develop throughout their journey at LeoVegas and encourage them to take on further responsibilities over time.

Glad you asked about the Leo Initiative as I love talking about it. It was created on the 12th of January 2017, to commemorate the 5-year anniversary of LeoVegas and through this initiative, a number of charitable projects will be sponsored. For 2017, the Leo Initiative have chosen two major projects to fund.

Looks like we’re on the right track in becoming one of the best employers on the island as an independent survey recently showed that some 90% of our lions would be happy to recommend a career at LeoVegas to their family and friends.

1) We made a donation to the Wildlife Conservation Network to help with the founding of the Lion Recovery Fund. With celebrities such as Leonardo di Caprio backing this project, it is really gaining traction.

page 26

2) We adopted two lions, Bruno and Omar, which are currently being taken care of by Emoya Big Cat Sanctuary.

We’ve also expanded the second project and on an annual basis we give the opportunity to four employees to travel to South Africa to work with our adopted lions as volunteers for 14 days – all expenses covered.

What is diversity in the company’s view? LeoVegas prides itself on a diverse workplace…How did this company ethos come about?

Diversity is defined as the differences between people and with a company of over 450 individuals from 28 different nations, I can assure you that there are a lot of differences. These differences include race, gender, age, religion, ability, and sexual orientation.

We pride ourselves on being a diverse workplace because we celebrate these differences. We appreciate that every single one of us is an individual with his/ her own set of believes, principles, etc. – and we know that when we work together, we can really achieve much more.

I’d go as far as saying that diversity is becoming part of our EVP as it’s one of the reasons which people mention why they are proud and motivated to work here.

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Photo by Sergio Morana

page 28

LeoVegas cultivates a gender neutral office environment…Can you elaborate and explain why this is conducive to a better workplace?

The terms male and female are social constructs and the argument that human beings fall into either one of these categories based on physical sex is an outdated one. At LeoVegas we look at people as individuals and for all intents and purposes you can be whatever you’d like to be – you will feel welcomed and part of the team. As part of our drive of celebrating diversity, we’re recently changed 50% of all our restrooms into gender neutral ones. The feedback has been very good and we’ve actually had colleagues encouraging us to turn all restrooms into gender neutral.

This conduces a better workforce because when people feel accepted, they do not spend their time at the office pretending they’re someone they’re not. They can be open about their sexual orientation and no one will bat an eye. Why? Because it’s really a non-issue.

LeoVegas is the main sponsor for this year’s edition of Malta Pride…How did this collaboration come about and why?

The Malta Pride is the largest event of its kind in Malta and we wanted to be part of it so we got in touch with the organisers and took the opportunity of being the main sponsor.

Actions speak much louder than words, so by being the very first gaming company to sponsor the Malta Pride Week, we are stating that LeoVegas is truly an employer that values and celebrates equality and diversity.

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community According to ILGA Rainbow Index, Malta has been rated as the most LGBTIQ friendly country in Europe – what does it mean for a company like LeoVegas to be able to operate in such a scenario?

We’ve found great talent locally and more often than not we fill roles with people who are already on the island. Sometimes though we need to attract candidates to relocate to Malta. Malta is already a very attractive destination and being the friendliest country for LGBTIQ rights in Europe exemplifies the maturity of the population.

During Malta Pride an 82-foot Giant Rainbow Flag was unveiled, of which LeoVegas sponsored the orange stripe… Is there a reason why the ‘orange’ stripe in particular?

Yes – it’s because orange is LeoVegas’ official colour. We use it in most of our branding and the office is full of orange details.

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Are there any other similar initiatives in the pipeline?

We’ve recently conducted an internal survey where we asked our lions whether there are other causes where they would like to see LeoVegas getting involved. We’re evaluating the various suggestions received but I can say that we’ve already acted on one of them.

We’ve just sponsored one of the spots in the National Cleanup Day on 15th September.

We’re extremely proud to once again be the first gaming company to partner with Let’s Do it Malta for this initiative. I’m glad that others followed suit as I strongly believe that the industry is able to achieve a lot more when it works together.

Where do you see LeoVegas, not just as a company but as part of the overall gaming community in say, five years’ time?

Our goal is to keep on the growth trend and even accelerate it. We have various short to long-term plans which should see our operations in Malta expanding further. In terms of the overall gaming community we’ve witnessed a shift in the past years, where more and more companies have either gone public or are in the process of. Without giving too much away, I am sure that the coming years will be extremely exciting for all of us at LeoVegas and that as a result we’ll be on the lookout for more Lions to join our pride.

marketing

THE FUTURE OF MARKETING Marketing is the lifeline of any business and its success or not wholly depends on the ability of the company’s marketing strategists to address quickly and effectively changes in customer perceptions and expectations. We ask our forward-thinking industry’s well-known gurus for their take on specific marketing strategies…

For an iGaming affiliate, it’s key to rank well with Google, fight algorithm updates, and engage the user with quality content - but most just see email marketing as an add-on.

I believe this will change in the future and it will become another cornerstone.

Put simply, the ROI of your email marketing can be impressive. However, you must focus on the players to create long-term relationships, set up a strong game plan, and focus on the correlation between the open and click rates, NRC’s, NDC’s, and revenue. If you manage to send high quality leads to the best converting operators in the industry, you will be thoroughly rewarded.

THOMAS BIJMAN EMAIL MARKETING TEAM LEAD CATENA MEDIA

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marketing We recognize that the need to stand out and Be Unique is a great driving force in the market today. Over the years we have nurtured a business partner mindset towards operators that continues to be at the centre of our commercial strategy.

My primary focus as Head of Marketing at NetEnt is finding new ways to facilitate communication and increase engagement with our customers. New technology helps a lot but more importantly understanding our customers real needs and making sure we cater for them is key.

TREVOR WESTACOTT MARKETING MANAGER NETENT

“Going back to basics. I think so much has been done to market products through flashy and alluring methods, which has meant that a lot of focus has been put on needless features and ‘newsworthy’ matters, rather than the core of the product they are marketing.

Cheap gimmicks cannot replace a solid product, and I think the general public (and our audience of choice) are becoming more aware of what is ancillary and what is key information for their business, so it’s up to us to be able to provide this clearly and concisely so they can make an informed choice.”

THOMAS RHYS JONES COMMERCIAL DIRECTOR XCALIBER

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I believe “search accomplishment” will become a core consideration for people involved in the ever evolving landscape of SEO. This will be a measure of your website’s ability to help searchers achieve their underlying goals. This may be by helping them find the key information they need, or by enabling them to complete a specific task.

While traditional offsite techniques will still help to position you at the top of the SERPs, increasing emphasis will need to be placed on the value of content and positive user experience if you wish to stay at the top.

VALENTIN ALSÉN HEAD OF SEO CATENA MEDIA

Too many iGaming operators today neglect or lack a clear strategy for their brands. In the Scandinavian countries the strategy for many years was to gain market share by offering bonuses. This worked well, but players expect more now and I believe that we all need to step out of the comfort zone that digital marketing has given this business.

In our industry many operators use the same strategies to sell very similar products and communicate the same offers. This, of course, makes it incredibly hard to be noticed in an already overcrowded marketplace.

I think the future of iGaming marketing is to create a strong emotional connection with our customers. One of the hardest things right now for operators is to retain players. This is a direct effect of the lack of brand personality and the excessive use of bonus campaigns across the industry.

LAHCENE MERZOUG CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER EVOKE GAMING

I believe brand building will have a bigger role to play in the future, as the iGaming industry is now starting to mature. Learning from other mature markets with the same competitive structure, a strong brand with clear values will be the key to success.

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MEET THE ORIGINAL IRISH CHARMER – PATRICK J O’BRIEN ON LIFE, CHARITY AND HIS LOCAL’S SALT OF THE EARTH

G

Words by Giselle Scicluna // Photography by Jacob Sammut

oing about our daily business, sometimes we are fortunate enough to come across a person, who by his or her very presence lights up a room; someone who you cannot help but warm to. In other words, a true ray of sunshine, someone whose words and actions always seem to embellish the life of those he or she encounters. One such person is none other than Patrick O’Brien, Exante’s Communications Director and the Gaming Industry’s local Charity Ambassador.

I met up with Patrick, who is also an acclaimed international journalist of many years’ standing, at the Vittoriosa Marina, more precisely on the luxury yacht, ‘Sam K’. So, what’s happening with Patrick right now? In his role as Communications Director for Exante, he says he’s very excited about the launch of Exante’s new fund and the company’s involvement with Cryptocurrency, which he says has been endorsed as the future of finance by the government.

He has also been very busy as the gaming industry’s charity ambassador, visiting igaming companies and promoting corporate social responsibility and its benefits towards the community. “In between, I’m always trying to

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find a bit of time for myself, but being the nosy journalist, even if I’m sat at my local in Naxxar, I always end up getting involved in something or other, so me-time is always hard to come by,” he laughs.

Hailing from Ireland, Patrick has made Malta his home for the past nine years; what is it about the island which even on short breaks abroad, makes him yearn to come back? “It’s the people,” he says without pausing for breath, “and the sense of community which reminds me so much of Ireland. There’s also this thing which is very rare; the class divide is not as pronounced here as anywhere else. The what I call as the ‘Upstairs, Downstairs’ mentality is not as apparent,” he says. “I am lucky in the sense that as a networking individual, I have contacts with all these highprofile people, from the President, the Prince of Kuwait to UK TV personalities, back home I used to go to tea with the silver-screen actress and legend Maureen O’Hara, who was a great story-teller, but back at the Lion’s Bar in Naxxar, I’m treated like everybody else, which makes a very refreshing change,” he comments matterof-factly.

Is there anything which he truly misses about Ireland? “Things have finally changed so much, back home. My father who is now deceased was

people

this staunch Irish businessman, who couldn’t accept that his son is gay and then a few weeks ago, I was sitting with the Irish Prime Minister, the first ever gay Prime Minister in all of Europe and the irony of it all, really hit me. It’s bizarre how time and circumstance changes things. I miss the intimacy of the Irish, especially in the villages and miss even more, my cloudy ‘sitting in an Irish pub day’,” he says nostalgically.

What does he believe is his worst trait? He thinks for a moment, “It’s strange really, but despite being this great talker, having this off-the-wall look gives me the jitters every time I walk into a meeting. I keep questioning the impact of my image each and every time. I tend to self-analyse, a lot, which is really and truly a waste of time and energy. I also have this dreadful fear of getting old,” he says with in his typical storytelling mode, “my last birthday party was called ‘35… again’. I have just come back from visiting my

grandmother in Ireland, who’s a hundred and one and it simply breaks my heart that she’s sat there, withering away. As a very active person, the sense of not being able to do what you love doing because of old age, strikes real fear in my heart. I love people, I love every aspect of them and the thought that old-age would eventually cut me off is simply something I cannot stomach.”

Which brings us neatly to the subject of cosmetic surgery. “If I had to win the lottery, that would be the first thing I’d do,” Patrick says with a twinkle in his eye, “I’d change myself to look nothing like I look now, I’d look younger and totally different.

Then I would treat myself and my partner to a house in the Czech Republic, his home country.

Nothing fancy, mind, just a fabulous cottage in the countryside where life is much simpler. Don’t get me wrong, I love beautiful things but on the other hand I appreciate simplicity. Despite the image of a jet-setting lifestyle, I am none the

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happier than socialising with the people at Lion’s Bar in Naxxar, who tell it like it is.

There’s this blood honesty about them which is priceless.”

Patrick is as down-to-earth as they come and when I comment on this he replies, “This ‘normalness’ is what initially got me working with The President, Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca. She is such a no-nonsense person, which is surprising given that she is a head of state. She is so genuine and goes way beyond her remit to help all those in need - you cannot help but pitch in. I have just had a meeting with the Prime Minister, Joseph Muscat and the new minister for gaming, Silvio Schembri and while it is laudable that the country is embracing new entrepreneurship, it must never lose its sense of identity.”

Throughout the past few years, Patrick’s acclaimed charity work within the gaming industry and for the Malta Community Chest Fund has seen him working closely with H.E. The President Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca on numerous projects; was there a memorable moment which stuck to mind? “We were at a press concert and these two little boys came over for a selfie. To be honest I avoid selfies like the plague, they make me look terrible,” he says jokingly before continuing on a more serious note, “and one of these boys said to me, ‘My mummy died of breast cancer, but thank you’. And that to me simply reinforces the belief in what I do, not just me, but whoever is involved in raising money for a cause. I can’t even begin to imagine the pain and grief, those who have to go through terminal illness and their families, have to endure. Without blowing my own trumpet, I am simply delighted that I can make a difference to these people’s lives and it really could be anyone of us tomorrow. Can you imagine not having the means to die with dignity? That is the change I would like to see and I’m lucky that I have the voice to affect that change. I’m also very lucky that I have people around me who are generous to a fault and willing to give,” he chuckles.

As a lover of beautiful things, how would Patrick define beauty? “Well, for instance I would never want to appear next to tall, blondie Pierre Lindh,” he laughs, “I make it a point to keep him out of my photographs. My motto always is, never appear next to beautiful people. These guys have this natural beauty and while yes, beauty does come from within, it would be nice if someone just remarked as

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"My motto always is, never appear next to beautiful people."

I walked jauntily down the street, ‘Isn’t he just cute?’

Because whether we like it or not beauty is all about image.”

In our celebrity obsessed world, who would make a true role model for the younger generation? Patrick thinks for a moment before saying, “Anybody can be a celebrity. What is a celebrity? I don’t think they exist. People put these celebrities on pedestals, but for me a role model would be someone who would use his profile to make a difference to people’s lives.

Someone cutting a few ribbons and hiring twenty photographers for the occasion is not a role model.

That said, we are all obsessed with reality tv and how the other half lives.” Does he like being a celebrity himself? “Do I like being in the newspapers? Of course I do. We all want to have the affirmation that we’ve done well. That said,” he says wickedly, “there’s a picture of me doing the rounds, holding a trophy which I really have to get rid of.”

What makes Patrick happy? “That’s easy! I’m an avid reader, so sitting at home or in the garden with a bottle of Lidl wine and a good book would be divine.

I’m surrounded by connoisseurs, but really and truly I haven’t got the faintest idea about wine, so I have all these beautiful decanters at home et voila! they wouldn’t know the difference if it hit them on the head. I’d like to say that I’m very grateful to Malta; it has been so, so kind and embracing. Also sitting at the Lion’s Bar with my whisky and people who are the salt of the earth…happiness for me is being real,” Patrick says as we wind down our interview and get on with enjoying the fabulous view of Malta’s magnificent Grand Harbour.

26th September 2016 The Hilton Malta

RESERVE YOUR TABLE NOW igamingidol.com

#WEEKENDVIBES Words by PavliStyle // Photography by Justin Ciappara

SHOWERS is not only the ultimate party of the summer it’s where the best hot-weather looks are spotted! And let’s be honest, summer ain’t over yet in Malta! page 38

Peter There isn’t anything better than shorts and shirt combo. It’s comfortable yet stylish and keeps you looking cool!

fashion

Pavli Ruffles were big this summer! Not wearing them you might as well stay indoors. Oh and statement earrings! page 39

fashion

Andra

One piece is the new ‘beach babe’ thing. All you need is confidence! page 40

Kylie

Denim shorts and mirror sunglasses..what an absolute summer -party ensemble!

Selma

The maxi dress and beach waves modern days boho girl has everything she needs, love and peace.

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fashion

Wail It’s all about the hat - a shield from the sun and a sharp look to rock the party!

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FRIDA AND MAX: A MODERN DAY FAIRYTALE OF LOVE AND ADVENTURE Words by Giselle Scicluna // Photography by Jacob Sammut

Think about your favourite love story.

What are the elements which make it so special? Romance, lust, valour, talent, swashbuckling adventure perhaps? Now take all these elements, wrap them up in glorious technicolour, filter them through an HD lens and you get the life, love and adventures of Frida and Max. page 44

love

F

rida Palovaara greets me warmly at the door of the apartment she shares with Max Noremo in St.Julian’s.

I am here to find out more about this extraordinary power couple, whose wild travelling adventures, have turned them into YouTube sensations overnight.

Bizarrely, while they both hail from Sweden, albeit from very different regions, the couple eventually met in Malta and have been together ever since.

The first thing to strike upon interviewing Frida, apart from her talent as an artist (her paintings are very much part of the beautiful décor in the apartment) is her serene and peaceful demeanour. But she is by no means a shy and retiring wallflower…Nothing could be further from the free spirit that is Frida, who at two years of age had an already fullblown sense of wild adventure, “I recall telling my dad that I wanted to become Queen of Africa when I grew up. I have no idea how I came up with that, however, I knew even at such a young age that I wanted to leave Sweden and explore the world,” she says with an infectious laugh.

And leave she did. Two days past her eighteenth birthday she was on her way to live in London with friends and was soon moving to Barcelona after that. Plenty of travelling later, Frida landed in Malta. Meanwhile, somewhere in his hometown of Tierp, Max Noremo was contemplating whether a move to Norway would be a good thing, when a call from his best friend, holidaying in Malta at the time, convinced him that his next move should be to the sunny Med. In Malta, Max’s entrepreneurial skills flourished, though with hindsight not as much as he would have liked them to, “It was hard not to be in constant holiday mode here and even harder to remember that you should be working,” Max smiles.

In Malta, they met through mutual friends, but as Frida was in a relationship at the time, they gave each other a wide berth until the day came when they could be together, or as

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love

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Frida succinctly tells it, “I made sure I was visible all the time. Wherever he turned, there I was, to the point that I was a fixture in his life and he couldn’t avoid it.” Fast forward a few years and their relationship is still blossoming, so much so, that to a complete stranger like myself, meeting them together is like intruding on something sacred. The magnificent aura of their relationship is something so rare, so indescribable that you can only be awed by the way they connect to each other.

What’s the secret to such a perfect, long-lasting relationship I ask? “Simple! Putting each other first – that way everyone’s first. Nothing in this life is worth fighting about in a relationship,” Frida says.

Max sums it up quite nicely, “My life would actually fall apart without her,” which coming from anyone else, would sound too cheesy to be true, but he says it with such heartfelt honesty, that you can’t help but admire a man who would be so brutally candid about the woman in his life, especially to a total stranger.

Their life together has not only been a once-ina-lifetime great romance, but also through their travels, a rollercoaster adventure, taking them all over the globe, as far as Australia and even more boldly to sail for eight whole months across the Indian Ocean; from Malaysia to Madagascar, with many stops at different countries in between. How did this voyage come about? “We had just come back from Australia, when friends of ours, Brian and Karen, realised that for their next trip they were missing two of their seven-man crew. They got in touch with Frida, who given her insatiable wanderlust, obviously agreed to the trip,” Max laughs. So, he had no say in this? “I love travelling, but Frida is the more impulsive one, so no, I didn’t really have time to argue,” he chuckles.

How was the trip itself? “I have never been sailing before, unlike Max, whose nickname is ‘Salty Seadog’, so it did need some getting used to. The initial sea sickness was horrible and there were plenty of hair-raising moments when we all thought we were not going to make it at all,” Frida says on a more serious note. “There was a particular storm, just off the Cape of Madagascar, with nine metre waves crashing into us at very, very frequent intervals. A fifty-three-foot boat is not exactly an ideal vessel for those terrifying conditions. We were all bound to a security rope…It was that scary,” she recalls.

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“Simple!

Putting each other first – that way everyone’s first. Nothing in this life is worth fighting about in a relationship.”

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love But on the other hand, they both cite the breathtaking freedom such a voyage imparts; swimming with dolphins, watching the wondrous wildlife upon touching land, the lack of modern day distractions. The picture, both Frida and Max depict is of an earthly paradise where time effectively stops. “When you have been at sea for days on end with no sign of land, you start getting in touch with yourself, it is an epiphany of sorts and the realisation of just how precious life is, truly hits. It’s a journey of discovery, of yourself and your relationships. You start appreciating the beauty of life itself, even the small stuff…For example, biting into fresh fruit after days and weeks of eating out of tins is a true joy,” they take turns to explain. Would they do it again, given half a chance? “Of course! Anywhere except the Indian Ocean,” Max says, “its unpredictable weather conditions are notorious.”

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So, what’s next on their bucket list? “We don’t have a bucket list, we just go with the flow. If we want to do something, we just go ahead. Life is too short to plan so far ahead,” Frida says.

Do they have any regrets? “It’s no use dwelling on the past; what’s done is done. Looking back and trying to imagine what ‘could have been’ is a total waste of time. Looking back, yes, I could have put more energy into my first projects, I could have made more money. But why regret that, when I was actually having the time of my life!” Max replies adamantly.

Having been through so much together, how would Max describe Frida? “She’s this free spirit who simply emanates positive energy…

Everything is possible for Frida and anything could serve as inspiration. She views the world through rose-tinted glasses and somehow people always seem to want to open up to her, which

is a great thing, given that her charity project Fallondrin, with her friend Kimberley was launched to collect funds for cancer charities.

Her paintings are a true representation of her personality; vibrant and colourful,” he says.

And Frida on Max? Frida says unhesitant, “He is the kindest, warmest person you’re ever likely to come across. A gentle soul, stable and calm, who’s the perfect balance to someone like me, who’s a bit all over the place, most of the time. I do believe that we somewhat bring out the best in each other.” What does the future hold for Frida and Max? “More travelling, donate more money to charity through Fallondrin, start a family, become a world-famous artist…But hey, we’re flexible,” Frida says with typical enthusiasm.

I bid Frida and Max goodbye and come away with the intense feeling that I have witnessed something extraordinarily rare and special…A true love story of warmth, passion and bold adventure.

Fallondrin Fights Cancer is the brainchild of Frida and Kimberley (Ahlström).

Two artists who travel all over the globe and are constantly collaborating with charity organisations, hospitals and other non-profit organisations. Their ultimate goal is to make enough money from their art to be able to donate directly, but until then, they are donating a share of their work to these charities for them to sell on for funds.

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health A STEP AHEAD: FAST-TRACK HEALTHCARE FOR THE RAPIDLY GROWING IGAMING SECTOR Words by Giselle Scicluna // Photography by Jacob Sammut

Being consistently at the forefront of innovation, has been the Saint James Hospital Group unrivalled strength, ever since its inception.

And now it has managed to up the ante once again…

As a result of the rapid growth of the iGaming industry on the island, accompanied by an unprecedented influx of expats, the group has recognised this blossoming sector’s urgent need of high-quality healthcare to cater for its workforce’s demands. Seamlessly substituting the familiar health and wellbeing services back home to professional healthcare in a foreign country, where inherent practices might seem different, could prove to be a daunting prospect for many newcomers. To this end, the group has appointed an Account Executive who caters solely to the iGaming industry, guaranteeing the best medical care available to the sector’s employees during their work placement in Malta; a highly proactive kind of one-stop shop wherein the best advice in the medical arena within the shortest time frame possible and at the earliest opportunity is made available around the clock, through a single contact person.

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health Sarah Lynn Mumford is a bubbly, warm personality who as the Account Executive assigned to the iGaming industry, is kept quite busy in her new role. I met up with her and the group’s equally lovely Marketing Manager, Lucienne Cassar, at the Saint James Capua Hospital in Sliema to get a better understanding of how this relatively new ‘one-stop shop’ for the iGaming sector works. “It is common knowledge that our overall services are impeccable, be it a simple routine GP visit or major surgery, but can you imagine a foreigner who has just landed on the island and in need of urgent healthcare?

Where to begin? The whole process of finding the appropriate health professional in a timely manner could prove to be mind-boggling to say the least,” says Lucienne, “which is where Sarah Lynn comes in.”

In her new role, what does Sarah Lynn think of this relatively new demographic? “The iGaming industry especially, has raised the bar to unprecedented new heights. Their concept of a working environment is totally alien to what we’re usually used to.

Their laidback stance of what constitutes ‘work’,

As the Account Executive in charge, how would Sarah Lynn describe her role? “Basically, I’m the liaison officer for the Saint James Hospital Group for all expats emanating from the iGaming and Financial Services sectors. It’s a very simple process actually; through the account we offer medical support services, 24hrs a day, 365 days a year and all one needs is the one name, one number which will guarantee instant access to all our services, all our healthcare facilities all over the island – be it a quick visit to the GP, an appointment with a consultant or a complete Health Screening, as well as no queueing for our Immediate Medical Care Unit. The patient is fast-tracked through the system, doing away with all the usual time-consuming processes.

The beauty of it is that this liaison service comes at no extra cost!” Sarah Lynn says.

The array of services on offer by simply contacting Sarah Lynn is all-encompassing, ranging from GP, laboratory and ambulance services, radiology, surgery, access to top specialists, right through to med-aesthetic care and everything else in between. VDUs (Visual Display Tests) are also part of this same package; by law, every company whose employees work on PCs on a daily basis, has to arrange for these screenings to be carried out at least once a year. Company CEOs as well as top-tier management can benefit from tailor-made executive screenings which take into account, lifestyle, sex and age of each particular individual. This first-class service can also be extended to all employees, or as the company sees fit.

SARAH LYNN MUMFORD ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE

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health

"The iGaming industry especially, has raised the bar to unprecedented new heights." was a bit of a culture shock at first – the informal ‘workplace’ they foster is not something you come across every day. That said, the importance of employee wellbeing features high on the agenda of each and every company I’ve had the pleasure to work with. This is probably the basis why this initiative targeting specifically iGaming companies is so in demand. With our sterling reputation in healthcare, for those companies who rate highly their employees, the Saint James Hospital Group is the obvious and natural choice. Now with the added value of an Account Executive to facilitate access to all medical care, our popularity rating within the iGaming sector is rapidly growing,” she says with satisfaction.

With a history spanning more than three decades, and an impeccable reputation for excellence and innovation, the Saint James Hospital Group is ranked amongst the top private healthcare organisations on the Maltese Islands. Offering a wide range of top-notch healthcare services, it is the

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largest and most experienced private medical provider with a long-standing reputation for outstanding patient care and groundbreaking medical and surgical treatments.

But the Saint James Hospital Group’s core mission “to consistently deliver high-quality healthcare services within the community, in a safe and caring environment, backed by technology and professional staff”, has not only been adopted within our communities but also way beyond our shores…

In Malta, the Group runs two fully-equipped, state-of-the-art private hospitals; one in Zabbar (which will soon move to bigger and more modern facilities in Zejtun) and one in Sliema, outpatient clinics in Zebbug and Burmarrad and a dedicated eye centre in Birkirkara – an unparalleled national service in terms of reliability, empathy and patient satisfaction. But the Group’s fundamental ethos to deliver compassionate, top quality expert health care, has also found root overseas; with a hospital in Libya and an Eye Clinic in Hungary, both forming part of the Saint James Hospital Group ever expanding portfolio.

As pioneers of many ground-breaking medical services on the island, the Saint James Hospital Group prides itself on having maintained over the past thirty years, its position at the forefront of the healthcare sector. A dynamic organisation made up of dedicated and passionate professionals, it has sought to serve with passion, respect and responsibility, successfully adapting to the changes within the community and its requirements. Its pledge to its patients remains true to its philosophy, that of serving patients in the best possible way, through unwavering commitment to provide superior medical care to all who cross the Saint James Hospital Group’s threshold, regardless of whether from near or far!

To find out more about our Account Executive and fast-track service please contact:

Sarah Lynn Mumford sarahlynn.mumford@stjameshospital.com 9964 2327

adventure

DISCOVER MALTA WITH MALTATINA Words and photography by Martina Brtnicka

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Malta is a beautiful archipelago in the middle of the Mediterranean. With 300 days of sunshine a year and crystal-clear waters, the Maltese Islands are a popular sea-and-sun destination. It is also a historical jewel, with the oldest freestanding structure in the world – the Ġgantija Temples in Gozo, Valletta – European Capital of Culture 2018, countless museums and galleries housed here.

There is a lot to see and explore when in Malta, making it the ideal place for a summer holiday or weekend break.

However, living on the island is another matter. A few months after you’ve settled here, you get the feeling that you’ve seen it all, and you might feel

a little claustrophobic on an island that’s just 27km long and 14,5km wide. At least that’s what happened to me. If your island fever gets that bad, you are really and truly only left with two options: either to stop complaining and leave, or at least try to remember and rediscover what made you fall in love with Malta in the first place.

I gave the second option a chance, which opened a whole new perspective on my life here.

On this occasion, I chose three places that you might not have visited before. I tried to combine diverse places that are either free to visit or only incur a small fee, and which are easy or slightly challenging to get to.

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Fun and Hike in Comino I can imagine that every single one of you reading this has been to the Blue Lagoon countless times. But have you ever left the lagoon and explored what’s around the corner? Next time you are in Comino, walk towards the Crystal Lagoon. Once you get there, hike on top of the rock standing right in front of you.

It’s really not that difficult and the views are amazing!

If you want to explore the island further, there also is the Santa Marija Tower just a few minutes away!

Best time to visit: early morning. Catch the 9 o’clock ferry from Ċirkewwa. €10 return ticket.

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adventure Unwind at the Chinese Gardens of Serenity If you’re looking to escape the busyness of your everyday life and to find a tranquil place where to relax, this is what you’ve been looking for! Get in your car and drive to the village of Santa Luċija where you can find the beautiful Chinese Gardens of Serenity.

The gardens are open daily from 8am – 6pm and entrance is free! There are also plenty of parking spaces just in front of the entrance.

Best time to visit: any time of the day.

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Adventure Trek on Il-Blata tal-Melħ My last recommendation is something totally different: a place off the beaten path that’s ideal for the adventurous types and nature lovers! It takes quite a drive to get there and you will have to walk for a while, but what you get to see is out of this world! With an absolutely stunning backdrop and no people about whatsoever, it’s just you, surrounded

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by some truly beautiful nature. If you’re in need of a new Facebook cover photo, here’s the perfect opportunity to take one!

It’s a bit tricky to get here as I often end up in a private property, but if you look for Il-Blata tal-Melħ on Google Maps, 1km up north there is a dead-end road with space for parking, which is your best bet. Leave your car there and start walking towards Il-Blata tal-Melħ.

I would recommend comfortable shoes and cycling gloves, as there is a point where you will have to climb down while holding onto a rope.

Best time to visit: 5pm – 8pm.

Photo blogger at www.maltatina.com @maltatinadiary

www.maduma.com.mt

sustainable label inspired by Maltese patterned tiles

FAST FOOD’S ENFANT TERRIBLE: NO DIVINE INTERVENTION REQUIRED Words by Giselle Scicluna // Photography by Jacob Sammut

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Compromise is not Tommy Diacono’s forte.

It is in fact, an alien concept which he adamantly refuses to acknowledge, let alone live by. I am sat in one of Tommy’s outlets to meet this larger-than-life character, in a bid to understand the man behind the New York Best success story.

food

Tommy bounces in for our interview, all the while barking orders to his staff, making sure that everything is in order in his kitchen, prepping for what will eventually be our mouth-watering lunch and checking his phone, all simultaneously. Finally, he sits down to our interview, and I get a persistent feeling that interviewers are not his favourite people in the world right now. Quite understandable, given that a recent interview wherein he insists he was heavily misquoted, had gone pear-shaped and Tommy came across sounding like an impossible snob and a real villain, causing (unintended) offence to whole swathes of Maltese society.

In a country where outspokenness and brutal honesty are mostly frowned upon, Tommy stands out like a sore thumb. How would he describe himself? “I am hard-headed and uncompromising for sure. Some say I’m eccentric, which could very well be the case.

What’s for sure is, I don’t suffer fools gladly, which could be the reason why I’m usually portrayed as this insufferable, bad guy,” he says heatedly, “I feel insulted if I walk into a restaurant and salmon is on the menu.

Salmon? On an island which has easy access to the bountiful Med and you serve salmon?

C’mon!” If something is not up to standard, Tommy would be the first to complain.

Vehemently. And then walk out. End of story.

“If telling it like it is makes me a b*****d, then so be it,” he says adamantly.

From an outsider’s point of view, there are dozens of ways to describe Tommy, but passionate and driven come mostly to mind.

Hailing from the Diacono family, whose history on the local gastronomical scene has seen them launch and run some of the finest restaurants on the island, Tommy, along with younger brother Nick, embarked on a new enterprise in 2011 and the New York Best phenomenon was born. He eloquently describes NYB as a happy medium between McDonald’s and a classic New York diner; an edgy take on pizza, burgers and shakes. Fast forward six years and New York Best’s outlets, are the most popular ‘fast food joints’ on the island. page 67

That said, Tommy thinks that we still have a long, long way to go before we start appreciating real food. “We get a lot of undeserved flak about our food,” he rants, “Do customers complain? Yes, they do and it’s all about portion size - we never get complaints about the quality, far from it. It’s always – ‘your food is outstanding man, but why don’t I have more on my plate?’ Is this crazy, or what? There is no culinary awareness, no appreciation for the sourcing of the finest ingredients, the intense labour of love that goes into our food and this drives me insane, to the point that sometimes I just want to give up. There needs to be a radical change in mentality, and soon.” He accredits the British with our lack of culinary sophistication, “The legacy of two centuries of British rule; we got the infrastructure and the language, but also their crap take on cuisine,” he claims.

But to relegate the food served at NYB as simply ‘fast food’ would be doing it a huge injustice. ‘Gourmet fast food’ would cut it much better; sourcing only the best ingredients and cooking every order from scratch, with innovative dishes on the menu, jostling for attention alongside more classic fare. NYB was launched at a time when people were no longer satisfied to make do with dull, uninspiring food during their search for a quick bite to eat, or as a last resort after a night on the tiles. The traditional greasy spoon seemed to be dying a slow death; millennials were searching for that sassy, vibrant place where fast food just got classier, the playlist could’ve been their own, it was hip be seen at and where the food is so gorgeous, it’s Instagramable.

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He continues, “Increasing portion size is impossible with the way we produce our dishes and we’re not willing to undermine our reputation for great quality by taking shortcuts.

We will remain true to our ethos, come what may, even if we are also competing in a ridiculously unlevel playing field.” What does he mean by unlevel playing field? “I pay my taxes to every last cent. Do you think that this is true of most of my competitors? No way!,” he retorts. Are these irritating glitches worth it? In characteristic style he replies, “I’m not sure yet. To say we’ve been successful so far would be a half-truth. Yes, we’re popular and we’ve grown so fast, but I think that I’ll consider myself successful when I’m at least making some money,” he says ruefully.

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A particular quote of his, in an interview for a local newspaper could be misconstrued as Tommy wanting to up sticks and take the business overseas. Naturally, this would seem like a suicidal move by an entrepreneur whose business has flourished into five outlets in as many years. “I was obviously grossly misquoted,” he bursts angrily, recalling the interview, “We want to expand the brand overseas, not move! Despite the huge stumbling blocks in this industry, I’d be crazy to want to do that.”

Inevitably, I have to ask about the huge furore a recent ad campaign has unleashed, depicting Jesus Christ and his apostles eating a New York Best pizza and burgers in a controversial spoof of Da Vinci’s ‘The Last Supper’.

“The actual campaign was launched in January. The idea was to take a selection of iconic paintings and incorporate them into our advertising. We had ‘The birth of Venus’, ‘The Son of Man’, ‘The Creation of Adam’ and no one batted an eyelid, until the ill-fated ‘The Last Supper’,” he says. Couldn’t he have foreseen that there would be an adverse reaction? “A reaction yes, but that level of bat-shit crazy, definitely no,” he says adamantly. In hindsight would he do it all again?

“Not on your nelly! The whole saga was, to put it mildly, simply exhausting and really and truly a waste of precious time and energy,” Tommy claims.

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At this point during our interview, Tommy has managed to not only finish preparing our lunch, answer my questions and pose (though it would be fair to say that Tommy doesn’t do posing well) for our photographer Jacob’s shots, but also field an endless stream of questions by his lively crew. And finally, lunch is served!

The combination of melt-in-the-mouth, buttery brioche with moreish red prawns plus bean sprouts and runny egg, doused in some heavenly wasabi based dressing, was simply to-die-for. As he bites into his first mouthful, it is the first time, since the start of our interview that Tommy’s face breaks into a smile – and by right, he has created a beautiful, messy concoction of such flavour that it will hopefully become a regular on NYB’s menu.

Ignoring the distraction of such a wonderful lunch, I ask Tommy what’s next in the pipeline for the NYB brand? “In the short term, we’re collaborating with Lovin’ Malta on a great project for charity – a pop-up restaurant which we’ll be launching together with the rest of the Diacono restaurants; Giuseppi’s and Rubino.

In the long run, we’re hoping to launch soon the NYB brand in mainland Europe,” Tommy explains. Wouldn’t it be tough to try to break a market where competition is rife? “Of course, but competition is what makes us what we are. Besides, I like competition. A lot,” he ends with half a smile…And that, if nothing else, is something I can really believe of Tommy Diacono!

food

EasyAF prawn croissants • croissant au beurre • local rossi (you can use Argentinian import, but • life is short) • wasabi • mayonnaise • coriander • BARBUTO free range eggs • bean sprouts • red chili

Open croissant with a good knife, a blunt knife is going to damage the croissant. Open toast on large pan or grill.

Time to build: Sauce first, protects the vulnerable innards of the croissant. Then the lukewarm prawns.

Dressed sprouts, quickly fry egg in half an inch of good butter, remember to season egg while cooking, not after. Top with sprouts and coriander 1:1, Slice chili wheels last so their scent smacks you in the face when you serve open.

Get messy...

Grill prawns with skin on, don’t overcook, peel.

Toss sprouts in olive oil, vinegar, salt and a pinch of sugar. Mix wasabi with mayo, taste with finger and adjust according to taste. Keep in mind we’re topping with chili too.

page 71

RE/MAX LETTINGS…AN EVER-EVOLVING SUCCESS STORY Words by Giselle Scicluna

W

ith an area of just over three hundred square kilometres and a growing population of more than four hundred thousand and counting, property is a booming business on our little rock. The real estate sector has not only flourished during the past half century, but is also constantly evolving to cater for the ever-changing scenario of the islands. One of the most fundamental changes to the property market, is the unprecedented demand for rental properties; a demand which was relatively inexistent up to just a couple of decades ago.

RE/MAX has become a household name in the sector, with an impeccable reputation which has seen it grow into one of the leaders of the local property letting market.

Founded in 1999 by Kevin, Jeffrey and Joseph Buttigieg after identifying the

page 72

surge in demand for property rentals, the company originally started out as JK properties, until eventually the RE/ MAX franchise was bought and a new era for the company began. Since its inception, letting has been RE/MAX Malta’s strong suit, only branching out to sales when the demand by foreign clients, looking to invest in the local property market reached an all-time high.

To better understand the ongoing property letting boom, I met up with RE/MAX’S Regional Director and coowner, Jeff Buttigieg, who together with the company’s Regional Letting Manager, Edward Agius and Michaela Tabone, the Letting Department’s Assistant Manager, are, in this regard, probably the most knowledgeable people on the whole of the island. But this was not the usual humdrum office interview! We were sat in one of RE/ MAX’S high-end properties in Iklin,

where sweeping lawns and magical gardens lead you into what must be one of the most imposing houses on the island. Floor to ceiling apertures, a central grand staircase, with a magnificent décor, reminiscent of the genteel Edwardian era, but with ever-present nuances of precious Maltese heritage throughout. It is ultimately a bon vivant’s dream home, an extraordinary nod to fine taste and luxurious living…But needs must, so despite the lush surroundings, we get back to the interview…

Edward has been managing the letting department for more than fifteen years. With a team of eighteen to twenty-five agents, he has seen the market grow firsthand, to such an extent, that the time is now more than ripe to expand the company’s horizons further afield,

home

home well beyond RE/MAX’S Sliema/St.Julian’s and surroundings stronghold, and into the North, South and Central areas of the island.

Michaela who has been part of the RE/MAX team for the past twelve years, attributes this to not just the lack of availability of letting properties in the area, but also to other developments in other locations, which are naturally an upgrade on what was available and increases these locations’ appeal for prospective clients.

Through past experience, Jeff can attest that the huge influx of foreigners coming through relatively new industries such as financial and gaming companies, have pushed rental prices up and consequently, people are spilling out in search of new locations.

To cope with this unprecedented surge in demand, Edward and Michaela have been tasked with the recruitment of another fifteen to twenty agents in the coming three months, bringing up the total number of agents to sixty, solely in the lettings department by mid- 2018. According to Jeff, the company’s vision is to gain more market share through various marketing initiatives, claiming that “Where other companies are consolidating, we’re growing…It’s pretty much what we’ve always done.”

It’s a tall order, indeed, but Edward credits the company’s ongoing success and smooth growth to minimal staff turnover, a source of pride in any enterprise. He claims that most of RE/MAX’S agents have a solid work ethic and have been with the company for years, viewing their job more as a career than anything else. RE/MAX prides itself on extensively training and mentoring its agents, marking it out as the company which goes that extra mile to ensure that the client is satisfied throughout the whole process.

The relationship with clients is high on the RE/MAX agenda, as Jeff explains, “The gaming industry is our biggest client and as a company, giving back to the industry is one of our chief goals. We create events for

page 74

the gaming community, wherein we do not just offer sponsorship, but are hands-on and involved every step of the way, whether it’s a social or charity event. RE/MAX has been the founder of both iGaming Idol and MiGS, both of which have grown in stature. Our company has become the go-to realtor for anyone emanating from the gaming industry, probably because we’re the most innovative and proactive in the business.”

Some claim that the letting business is simply a bubble, which at some point will burst. What do the RE/MAX people make of this? Edward believes that this is highly unlikely stating that “Malta is tiny, so it doesn’t take all that much to keep it going.”

Jeff on the other hand, is more pragmatic, “We have been relatively lucky so far. We have eighty-nine percent of the population as homeowners, which is very high when compared to other countries, but the fact remains that there will always be a number of people who cannot afford a mortgage. I don’t believe that if the current scenario is simply a bubble, the government would take it upon itself to launch a new rental scheme, a sure sign that the letting market is here to stay,” he says passionately.

And passion, as Jeff succinctly puts it, is the driving force behind the RE/MAX success story, “This is what we do. Both my brother Kevin and I, have always believed since inception, that success is always dependent upon relationships, networking and most of all in being honest to your clients. Basically, our values have propelled the company forward through the past two decades.”

Getting back to basics, what does the RE/MAX letting property database look like? Edward says, “Our properties, both commercial and residential range from 500 Euro to the higher end of the market at 12,000 Euro. It should be noted that seventy percent of the commercial lettings of office space done in Malta within the Gaming Sector have been done through

RE/MAX. We rented out office space to the first igaming company to set foot on the island, back in 1999.”

“We’re also growing our residential property database at a fast pace in Sliema and St. Julian’s areas but we are making a concentrated effort on building in the North, South and Central areas of the island. Both foreigners and locals are looking further north, south and centrally rather than the St Julian’s/Sliema area, because obviously rent is much cheaper the further you go. The demand is huge, so much so that we may only retain a property for a week at its max. Many occasions the property would be rented before the previous tenants have moved out.

With our figures showing a yearon-year increase for the past five years, I’d say that this is not just a current trend, but something that is changing the property landscape as we know it,” says Michaela, before we end our interview and get on with exploring our lush, exotic surroundings.

Sweet dreams are made of this…

One of the many rental properties available on RE/MAX’S books is the stunning villa where we conduct our interview with Jeff, Edward and Michaela. Situated in a tranquil, upmarket neighbourhood, with an astounding 5,000 square metres of land, 80% of which is allocated to gardens, terraces, a pool and house-keepers’ quarters, it is the pinnacle of luxury living. With impeccably kept grounds, Mediterranean style landscaping, swimming pool and generous outdoor entertaining areas, it is a host/hostess’ dream. With its exclusive air of grandeur, the property boasts bright and ultra-spacious living areas with all luxury mod-cons in place, as well as both formal and family rooms, a floor dedicated to the sleeping area, with the master bedroom allocated one whole wing, with a new en-suite bathroom and a separate changing room. Four other bedrooms, two of which have ensuite bathrooms are also housed on this floor. But this is just one of the high-end, exclusive rental properties available at RE/MAX…Catering for all tastes, from the ultra-minimalist to the decadently opulent to the more traditional, your dream home is only a RE/MAX agent away…

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The RE/MAX success story is not simply linking a client to a property which matches their budget or requirements, it is a story of commitment to excellence, of sourcing unique property gems across the island, of identifying the market demand and rapidly responding to it in a professional, ethical manner…It might seem as a huge undertaking, but one in which RE/MAX has exceeded expectations, time and time and time again.

If you would require more information about renting any type of residential or commercial property, contact Edward and Michaela directly on:

+356 9942 5088 / +356 9944 7500 or visit RE/MAX Lettings:

letting.remax-malta.com

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iGaming Idol iGaming Idol brings together the movers and shakers of the industry and awards those companies and individuals who have consistently shown that they are a cut above the rest, through innovative initiatives and visionary concepts in their working practices. So, join us for a night of celebration, elegant food and top-notch entertainment with ten percent of all ticket sales donated to the Malta Community Chest Fund.

Autumn paves the way for an events’ calendar that’s simply choc-a-bloc with things to love, do and see...so find whatever floats your boat and enjoy!

Malta Tattoo Expo 2017 The 4th edition of the Malta Tattoo Expo is already on track to being the biggest and baddest yet. The largest venue on the little sunny island of Malta has been chosen to cater for the largest congregation of artists on the island; the Malta Fairs & Conventions Centre will be transformed into the most visited artistic festival on the island for a thrilling weekend full of shows, music and of course, tattoos!

26 SEPTEMBER 2017

6-8 OCTOBER 2017

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The Hilton Malta

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MFCC Ta’ Qali

events The Rolex Middle Sea Race The race starts in Malta’s spectacular Grand Harbour and covers one of the most beautiful courses in the world. A series of starts which may be watched from any of Valletta’s fortifications create a sight worth waiting for. Unique for a race of this length in that it starts and finishes in the same place, the 606-mile route starts in Malta’s magnificent Grand Harbour and also ends there. This race runs by incomparable scenery and is a true challenge to skippers and crews who have to be at their very best to cope with the often unpredictable and tough conditions.

21 OCTOBER 2017 Grand Harbour Valletta

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The PokerListings Battle of Malta The PokerListings Battle of Malta will return for a sixth edition in 2017 and like those before, expects to set a new level of success for low buy-in poker tournaments. This year’s BOM has nine different tournaments on the calendar and €650,000 in prize pool guarantees spread across the Main Event, Siege of Malta Second Chance and Grandmaster High Roller. The off-the-table schedule has also been expanded with opening cocktails, the signature VIP party, a pool party, “Knight Life” Speakeasy drinks and more.

Summit of iGaming Malta (SIGMA) 2017 6,000 delegates, 200 sponsors and exhibitors, 100 speakers. The organisers have outgrown the InterContinental arena and are moving to the MFCC - the Malta Fairs and Convention Centre, creating an iGaming village atmosphere with six themed bars, three themed restaurants and two large themed lounge areas. From affiliates to operators and B2B, startups and investors as well as a careers convention: SIGMA17 ticks all the boxes.

2-7 NOVEMBER 2017

22-25 NOVEMBER 2017

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Portomaso Casino, St. Julian’s

MFCC, Ta’ Qali

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MATCH MADE IN HEAVEN

BY EBM Photography by Jacob Sammut

Nothing quite strikes fear in the heart of every singleton alive as the words ‘blind date’.

Tales of gruesome encounters are dinner-party conversation pieces and yes, most of the time, blind dates unfailingly bomb, big time. If nothing else, awkwardness is part and parcel of having to actually sit down with a total stranger for a couple of hours and feign interest in what they’re saying.

But on other, perhaps very rare occasions, two people who don’t know each other from Adam, can actually hit it off…

Here, at EBM magazine we’ve arranged a lush dinner date for two brave souls, in a bid to find out if all the horrific rumours are true… page 80

Meg

Scotty

Spontaneous and full of suspense.

How did you feel about going on a blind date?

Felt a little strange, purely because I haven’t been on many dates during the times I was single.

I really liked his tattoos.

What did you like about your date most?

I liked the fact that she was so down to earth and easy to talk to.

It would definetely be our audacious banter.

Which part of the conversation did you enjoy most?

I enjoyed it most when we started to relax a little. Then we laughed and joked a lot more.

I have to admit he was not hard to look at.

What did you think about your date’s appearance?

I thought she looked hot. What man doesn’t like a woman in a small tight black dress?

Yes, I would..

Would you consider a 2nd date?

I certainly would.

I had FOMO, all the food on the menu sounded amazing and looked even better upon serving.

How do you feel about your date’s choice of food?

I’m trying to convert from pescatarian to a plant based diet so can’t really judge people on their food choices.

As long as she enjoyed her food, I’m happy.

Delicious. The beef tagliata was the most succulent and tender I have ever tasted with the perfect amount of parmesan shavings.

How did you enjoy your choice of food?

I enjoyed my main course and my dessert. I thought my starter, which was the prawn bisque could have been better.

Dessert - the peanut and milk chocolate bar tasted a lot like a gourmet snickers bar with a unique twist of the caramelised popcorn without being overbearingly sweet.

Which part of your meal was your favourite – starter, main course, dessert?

The company...obviously.

Cabernet Sauvignon which complimented my main perfectly.

What drink did you choose to complement your food?

We drank a Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon throughout the meal, which was lovely.

Absolutely, the privy private booths provide both a private and posh environment without compromising the great service received from all the staff.

Would you recommend the restaurant as the venue for the first date?

I would yes. Service was great, staff were all very friendly, venue itself is beautiful and food good. Nice place to get to know someone.

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