Hard Rock AC Reshuffles Hierarchy With New Executives

In June this year, Hard Rock International, has opened a massive new venue, perhaps the most vital in recent years – Hard Rock Resorts & Casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey…

…Only several months later, they’re ready to switch to the new leadership as Joe Lupo prepares to take over the presidential position within the venue.

Unexpected Change

Lupo is based in Tampa Bay and the company’s new Senior Vice President of Marketing, Jeffrey Hook, also a resident of Florida, will be ing him at the helm.

However, despite their official appointment by Hard Rock AC, they still need to overcome two obstacles. Lupo and Hook have filed in an application for a temporary casino key employee license and residency waiver, which will be considered by the New Jersey Casino Control Commission this week.

According to New Jersey’s regulatory body, “anyone with the power to make decisions about gaming operations to have a casino key employee license and to live in New Jersey.”

Prior to this relocation, Lupo has worked as Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino’s president in Tampa Bay and Hook was executive vice president of development and marketing at Hard Rock International.

Lupo will take over his new position on November 1st.

Coming Home

Lupo is returning to Atlantic City where he was stationed until 2016. He was senior vice president of operations for Borgata Casino before taking on Hard Rock operations in Tampa.

He wrote on his Twitter : “Lots of emotion today. Leaving an excellent team, great people, for a new challenge and exciting opportunity in Atlantic City. Thankful to be staying in the Hard Rock family and confident of the future. Thanks and best wishes to everyone.”

Hard Rock did announce these changes before they happened, but it is not clear why they are happening, especially why so soon after Hard Rock Atlantic City began working…

…But in any case, Lupo and Hook will have a huge responsibility – they will handle a casino that grossed a total revenue of $63 million in their first two months of operations in July and August.

More Than Just a Casino

With Atlantic City Resort, Hard Rock aimed to create an immersive land-based experience that will provide much more than just a gambling space. In the words of the company’s CEO Jim Allen, “It’s not about gaming. It’s about entertainment.”

The $500 million renovation of old Trump Taj Mahal with a theater of 7,000 seats it was the place of 300 concerts before the opening of Hard Rock.

Analysts and officials say that Atlantic City’s summer of 2018 was one the best in years, as the city is revitalized with the opening of Hard Rock and Ocean Resorts, as well as regulation of sports betting.

Source:

“Hard Rock seeking casino licenses for president, marketing executive”, David Danzis, pressofatlanticcity.com, October 10, 2018.