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ZCG-Backed Affinity Interactive Appoints Chad Brown as Chief Marketing Officer

businesswire.com
MGM Mentioned as a past employer of the new CMO, indicating a history of marketing leadership in the gaming sector. No direct impact on current operations or stock.

ZCG-Backed Affinity Interactive Appoints Chad Brown as Chief Marketing Officer LAS VEGAS--( BUSINESS WIRE)-- Affinity Interactive (“Affinity”), the omni-channel media, online, and gaming industry leader backed by Z Capital Group, LLC (“ZCG”) today announced the appointment of Chad Brown as Chief Marketing Officer. In this role, Mr. Brown will lead marketing strategy and brand development at Affinity and across the broader Apex Hospitality integrated hospitality and consumer brand platform, which includes Affinity, Xperience Restaurant Group (XRG), Pink Taco, and Mrs. Fields.

Chad Brown appointed to lead marketing and brand strategy across Affinity Interactive and the broader Apex Hospitality platform.

Mr. Brown will oversee enterprise-wide marketing and communications strategy, driving integrated initiatives across retail, digital, and on-property experiences to enhance customer engagement, strengthen brand positioning, and support continued platform growth.

Mr. Brown brings more than 20 years of experience leading marketing strategy, brand development, and digital transformation initiatives across the hospitality, gaming, finance, and entertainment sectors. He has a strong track record of executing large-scale, data-driven marketing programs, launching national campaigns, and optimizing customer acquisition and retention strategies across complex, multi-channel environments.

Prior to joining Affinity, Mr. Brown served as President and Chief Marketing Officer at CBA Professional Marketing Services. He previously held Chief Marketing Officer roles at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas and Prairie Fire Nevada, as well as Chief Marketing & Strategy Officer at The Brennan Entities, where he led brand strategy, partnerships, and customer engagement initiatives across multiple platforms.

Earlier in his career, Mr. Brown spent more than a decade at MGM Resorts International, including as Corporate Vice President of Marketing Operations, where he led enterprise-wide marketing strategy, analytics, and technology integration across multiple resort properties, driving performance improvements and enhancing the guest experience.

“Chad’s appointment reflects our continued focus on building a scaled, integrated hospitality platform with strong brand and customer engagement capabilities,” said James J. Zenni, Founder, President, and Chief Executive Officer of ZCG. “His experience across gaming, hospitality, and digital platforms, combined with his ability to execute data-driven marketing strategies, will be instrumental as we continue to grow Affinity and the Apex Hospitality platform and enhance the customer experience across our portfolio.”

In this role, Mr. Brown will work closely with platform leadership and operating teams to advance marketing strategy, drive customer acquisition and retention, and support cross-brand collaboration across the Apex Hospitality platform. His appointment builds on ZCG’s previously announced formation of Apex Hospitality, which was established to drive scale, operational alignment, and growth across its hospitality and dining portfolio.

About Apex Hospitality

Apex Hospitality is an integrated hospitality and consumer brand organization, operating across dining, entertainment, and e-commerce. Formed through the strategic alignment of Affinity Interactive, Xperience Restaurant Group (XRG), Pink Taco, and Mrs. Fields, the platform brings together nationally recognized restaurant concepts, iconic consumer products, and digital capabilities under one scalable, integrated model. For more information, visit www.theapexhospitality.com.

About Affinity Interactive

Affinity Interactive is an omni-channel media, online, and gaming industry leader with an expanded suite of casino and online gaming offerings. Combining leading regional casinos in Nevada, Missouri and Iowa with advanced technology, digital and media platforms, and an online betting presence, Affinity Interactive has nearly 1 million combined customers and is positioned to capitalize on the continued momentum in sports betting and iGaming globally. Affinity Interactive companies also include: the iconic Daily Racing Form, “America's Turf Authority since 1894” for horse racing enthusiasts throughout North America. For more information, please visit www.affinityinteractive.com and www.DRF.com.

Affinity Interactive is a portfolio company of ZCG Private Equity, the private equity arm of ZCG, a leading, privately held global firm.

About ZCG

ZCG is a leading, privately held global firm comprised of private markets asset management, business consulting services, and technology development and solutions. ZCG’s investors include pension funds, endowments, foundations, sovereign wealth funds, central banks, and insurance companies. For almost 30 years, ZCG Principals have invested tens of billions of dollars of capital. ZCG has approximately 400 professionals across five countries and is headquartered in New York. For more information, visit www.zcg.com.