Skift Take
It likely won't be the only, or the last, hospitality company to do the same.
Las Vegas-based gaming and hospitality giant MGM Resorts International is looking to Silicon Valley to transform its business with its latest executive hire.
The company on Wednesday announced it has appointed Atif Rafiq into a new role as president of commercial and growth, reporting directly to CEO Jim Murren. His tenure begins in May.
Rafiq, who most recently served as chief digital officer and global chief innovation officer of Volvo Cars, will be tasked with developing new customer experiences, business models, and revenue streams for the $14.4 billion company, as well as launching new digital businesses and overseeing sales and loyalty.
He will also be responsible for the company's revenue streams, as well as ensuring the company maintains its MGM 2020 strategic plans. Those plans rely heavily on, as a company statement noted, "data-driven, digital and customer-centric innovations" to realize $100 million of annualized adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization by 2021. His role is a newly created one, and MGM's current executive team remains in place.
Rafiq's appointment is not characteristic for gaming or hospitality, which generally recruit from within their respective industries. But given his extensive background a
