VASIL PETRAKOV
Creative Director at guts & brains DDB
“In advertising there are people you have to work with and people you want to work with. Emil is the second type. We’ve just completed one project together, but working with him was like playing Nintendo in 1994 at my cool friend Liubo’s house. I did it once, it was amazing, and I crave to get the opportunity to do it again.
As a TV Ad Director and Creative Director at Guts&BrainsDDB, I’ve had a few occasions where we would take a brand from scratch and elevate it through proper communication into a market leadership position. And let me tell you one thing – to turn a brand around, it always takes one strong, brave marketing leader, who understands aesthetics and storytelling and is eager to take a chance, and stand responsible for both success and failure.
This is who Emil is. That rare breed of marketing director who knows how to translate insightful business strategy into effective and captivating creative communication. If you are a brand – be sure he will be of immeasurable value to your team. If you let him – he will probably shake things up, reshape the way you talk and look, and get you all the results you need and want. If you are a creative agency – he will both push and help you deliver results that will make you feel proud when you look back.
As a friend of mine said: “His website doesn’t look like a marketing director’s website.” Damn right. It looks like a sleek portfolio site of a production house or an ad agency. And it gives a clear picture of how much he pays attention to both structure and visuals. Just imagine what he can do for your brand. Cheers.”
DIMITAR STALIMIROV
Creative Director at DNA Sofia
“As a Creative Director in onе of the top 10 agencies in Bulgaria, with a 15+ years of experience in the field, I’ve worked with a lot of marketing professionals. But quite few match the level of dedication, the rapidly growing knowledge and expertise, and the humble yet decisive leadership character Emil possesses.
I had the pleasure of working with him on the brand communication of efbet, the biggest sports betting company in Bulgaria. Over the course of 3 years our professional partnership grew into a professional friendship, which is a rarity I cherish very much.
Emil has led the efbet brand through an enormous transformation, establishing a new and distinctive tone of voice, a coherent multichannel presence and a remarkable digital footprint. Under his guidance the brand expanded its operations on several new markets, the first of which was Romania, utilizing a bold, unconventional approach.
He has always managed to struck me with his clear view of the big picture, yet keeping a close eye on the details in each campaign. Together we made a couple of the biggest TV commercials on the Bulgarian market, pushing the limits of what’s possible and elevating the image of efbet to a new level.
His background and love for sports, and football in particular, shaped him as a man who not only believes in the values of team play and fair play, but also manages to transform them into a practical working ethics. Besides being an expert on his own, Emil had built a wonderful team of like-minded people around him.
I’m sure that his new endeavors will lead him further and higher on his professional path, benefiting everyone who has the privilege to work with him.”
Georgi Abrashev
Managing Director / Producer at Final_New
“Emil understands his business, knows his target, analyzes the data and has the vision how to develop a brand. More importantly he has the BALLS to follow through.
From a TVC producer-client relationship, I am thrilled to state that I’ve had the distinct pleasure to have collaborated with Emil on a number of large-scale projects. From day one, Emil has shown that he is an experienced professional, who understands his market and client’s audience to the very tiniest of detail.
Furthermore, Emil thinks in perspective and always in context of the bigger picture. He is aware, that we all operate in a dynamic, super competitive world, and that both businesses operations and corporate identities have to constantly move forward and evolve in order to keep existing customers satisfied and interested and also attract new ones.
Even before, having the pleasure to work together, I have noticed how the brand image of one of the biggest betting companies in Bulgaria has completely changed and thrived under Emil’s leadership.
I am personally, incredibly happy from our mutual work and collaboration and am looking forward for our paths to cross again.”
Ivan Kozhirug
Java Team Lead at Cayetano Gaming
“Emil is a natural leader – I’ve seen him lead in tough informal environments where you are not chosen to lead by a boss or an authority figure – there you emerge as a leader only if you possess the right personality. He demonstrated that he can carry the responsibility of being a leader at a very young age and people followed him not because of his job title or position in a company, but because of his attitude, skills, competence and passion for what he does.
Emil has great social skills – he can connect well with people from all walks of life. He inspires the people around him and manages to easily spread his enthusiasm. Emil is very good at communicating and visualizing the future success – a key quality for any leader. He always leads by example – he sets a high standard for himself first and then demands the same from the rest.
Emil is a motivated, driven and organized person, extremely focused on self-improvement and trying to learn all the time. He is never afraid to face a challenge and always ready to rise to the occasion.
Emil has successfully developed brands on social media long before he started doing that professionally. He was doing that without spending any financial resources, relying just on his creativity and excellent understanding of social media. This success ultimately led to his hiring by Efbet. There he was able to show his full potential working as a Marketing Manager for one of the biggest advertisers in the Bulgarian media market. Emil led multiple marketing campaigns while at Efbet, helping to establish their brand as the strongest in Bulgaria and also advancing the company’s effort to gain a foothold in several other countries.
Emil has a keen interest in football and possesses extensive knowledge about sports and sports betting. His natural interest in these areas is a big advantage when it comes to working in the Betting/Casino industry.
I would strongly recommend Emil for any senior management position in the Marketing industry, and this applies with even greater strength if the position is in the Betting/Casino industry. I am confident that Emil will be a great fit for any company.”
EMIL MITEV
Motion Web Design, EFBET
I`ve never seen a team, so inspired and loyal to its manager. I had this rare opportunity to explore the limits of my imagination, thanks to the creative freedom he gave us. He gave us a chance to dive deep into the latest marketing technologies and the result was that on several occasions we were the “first in the world to this” which is priceless.
Dobrin Gionov
Chief Executive Officer presso FC CSKA 1948 Sofia
“Emil Kanev was the marketing manager of FC CSKA 1948 main sponsor- Efbet. We have worked together for three years on various marketing projects. I noticed that he has been putting a lot of effort in everything he does and has a great eye for details. Moreover, he controlled the work of the marketing team of FC CSKA 1948 and he constantly provided feedback to the members of the team.
I recommend Emil for his work ethic, commitment, willingness to learn and dedication. I have always enjoyed working together with Emil as he is very friendly and possesses true can-do attitude.”
MARTIN PETROV
VP Business Development at Sportal.bg | Cofounder at SentecaCommerce
“For the past 3 years I have been working with Emil on numerous Efbet projects ranging from media campaigns to public relations. During this period my direct observation of his work convinced me that he is a highly skilled marketing professional and a solid team player. Emil is deeply passionate about what he does and definitely not a typical “9 to 5 guy”. He is able to excel in any environment and situation. At Efbet learned from some of the most successful entrepreneurs in the gambling industry, while supporting their drive to develop the business with his creativity and marketing knowledge. I would highly recommend his services to anyone looking for marketing expertise. “
MILAN JANKOVIC
Marketing Manager at efbet Sports Betting & Casino
“As a direct report to Emil, I am obliged to point out what exceptional professional he is in every aspect of business. Very good leader, strong personality and multi skilled marketeer driven by perfection and top achievements. Very strong experience in marketing and deep understanding of gaming business, makes him one of the best in the industry. “
PERSIAN PETKOV
Graphic Designer at Efbet Casinos & Sports
“Emil is a very dedicated and proactive person who demands a lot from himself and the people around him.
We worked together in the Bulgarian online bookmaker efbet for two and a half years. He was my direct supervisor, holding the position of marketing manager at the company.
Emil was able to create an exceptional team around him. A team made up of people with unique abilities, quirks and characters who are not afraid of challenges. Thanks to his flair and professionalism, the company achieved unprecedented achievements in the field of gambling.
Working at a company as an efbet can be very stressful, but Emil has created an environment in which his colleagues and his subordinates can reach their full potential.
A team spirit in which our opinion mattered and our desire to do something new and non-standard was supported and encouraged.
In conclusion, I will say that Emil would be a great addition for any company that aims to grow, follow current trends and is not afraid to take a chance from time to time.”
BOGDAN COMAN
Executive Director - Rombet
“Emil combines the most important traits needed if you want to be a true professional in his line of work: the passion for sport, and the passion for creation and innovation. He is a genuine outside the box thinker and I have enjoyed our work together for the past 3 years greatly. I would say he is one of the few people to “blame” for the tremendous success of efbet.com.”
STILIAN SHISHKOV
CEO at Sportal.bg
“Emil is highly motivated, goal oriented and extremely knowledgable in the gaming industry professional. He took a major role in the development of Efbet to become a top brand in the betting industry.”
Vladimir Petrov FPQP™
Global Research Analyst and International Development at Efbet Casinos & Sports
“I have known EMIL KANEV for the past 3 years while he has worked as an Marketing Director in Efbet . I have been consistently impressed by both Emil’s attitude towards his work and his performance on the job. He found the best core of the human needs and create the best way how to populate his company.
His interpersonal and communication skills have allowed him to develop productive working relationships with both our clients, partners and his staff as well as he collaborate wonderful with all departments in the company. Emil has the listening and interviewing skills necessary to extract information from our customers while performing marketing strategy and he manage the marketing staff with passion and professionalism .
Emil possesses solid creative skills which have enabled him to compose quality correspondence. He also has the analytical skills to diagnose problems, to find the best strategy and devise viable solutions. His ability to work well under pressure show his spirit and relationships with daily marketing activities .
I have known EMIL KANEV for the past 3 years while he has worked as an Marketing Director in Efbet . I have been consistently impressed by both Emil’s attitude towards his work and his performance on the job. He found the best core of the human needs and create the best way how to populate his company.
His interpersonal and communication skills have allowed him to develop productive working relationships with both our clients, partners and his staff as well as he collaborate wonderful with all departments in the company. Emil has the listening and interviewing skills necessary to extract information from our customers while performing marketing strategy and he manage the marketing staff with passion and professionalism .
Emil possesses solid creative skills which have enabled him to compose quality correspondence. He also has the analytical skills to diagnose problems, to find the best strategy and devise viable solutions. His ability to work well under pressure show his spirit and relationships with daily marketing activities .
I recommend EMIL KANEV for management employment without reservation. Please let me know if you need further information.
I recommend EMIL KANEV for management employment without reservation. Please let me know if you need further information.”