Yordan Bakardzhiev

Led comprehensive performance marketing initiatives for casino and gambling brands operating across regulated and unregulated markets. Managed multi-million euro budgets while navigating complex compliance landscapes and competitive market dynamics.

Strategic Marketing & Go-to-Market Execution:

• Orchestrated €7M+ annual marketing spend across Meta, Google Ads, and programmatic platforms, consistently delivering 50%+ profit margins on daily budgets ranging from €500–€10,000
• Developed and executed localized go-to-market strategies for gambling brands entering 15+ international markets including France, Italy, Portugal, Greece, Spain, Poland, Sweden, Denmark, Switzerland, Brazil, Chile, Peru, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, etc.
• Optimized full-funnel customer acquisition strategies from awareness through conversion, achieving measurable improvements in CTR, significant CPA reductions, and ROI maximization
• Analyzed consumer behavior patterns and competitive landscape to inform positioning, messaging, and channel strategy decisions
• Collaborated with Product, Compliance, Legal, and Brand teams to ensure marketing alignment with business objectives and regulatory requirements

Multi-Channel Campaign Management:

• Meta Ads: Managed large-scale campaigns with hands-on expertise in audience segmentation, creative strategy development, A/B testing frameworks, retargeting flows, and multi-account management to drive scalable user acquisition
• Google Ads: Executed high-performance search, display, video, P-Max, and retargeting campaigns with advanced optimization of bidding strategies, keyword research, and audience targeting
• Programmatic & Native Platforms: Diversified traffic sources and scaled reach through Propeller Ads, TrafficJunky, TrafficStars, Taboola, RichAds, Moloco, DV360, and AdKeeper to maximize market penetration

Partnership Development & Agency Management:

• Identified, negotiated, and managed strategic partnerships with affiliate networks, influencer marketing platforms, and traffic partners to rapidly scale user acquisition
• Coordinated with external creative agencies and freelance teams to develop high-converting landing pages, ad creatives, and branded content optimized for engagement and compliance
• Built and maintained relationships with platform representatives (Google, Meta) to resolve account issues and gain early access to beta features
• Evaluated and onboarded new marketing vendors and technology partners to enhance campaign performance

Compliance & Regulatory Expertise:

• Ensured absolute compliance with local advertising regulations and gambling marketing restrictions across multiple jurisdictions, implementing technical and creative strategies to navigate platform policies
• Developed expertise in Bulgarian gambling regulations and advertising standards, preparing compliant marketing materials for regulated market entry
• Managed multi-account infrastructure using Google MCC and Meta Business Manager to maintain campaign continuity and business stability in restricted verticals
• Stayed current with evolving platform policies, regulatory changes, and industry best practices to proactively adapt marketing strategies

Data Analytics & Performance Optimization:

• Leveraged RedTrack, Voluum, Google Analytics, and BI tools for accurate campaign tracking, multi-touch attribution modeling, and data-driven optimization
• Owned and optimized key performance indicators including CPA, ROI, conversion rates, customer lifetime value, and retention metrics
• Conducted systematic A/B testing on ad creatives, copy variations, landing pages, and user flows to continuously improve conversion rates and user experience
• Utilized competitive intelligence and ad spy tools to identify market trends, winning campaign strategies, and opportunities for differentiation
• Delivered comprehensive performance reports to management with actionable insights and strategic recommendations

Leadership & Cross-Functional Collaboration:

• Mentored and trained junior media buyers and marketing specialists on platform best practices, optimization techniques, and compliance requirements
• Coordinated cross-functional initiatives with Creative, Tech, Product, and Compliance teams to ensure seamless campaign execution
• Facilitated knowledge-sharing sessions on emerging marketing trends, platform updates, and advanced strategies
• Presented campaign performance and strategic recommendations to senior management and stakeholders

Market Localization & Cultural Adaptation:

• Developed deep understanding of Bulgarian consumer behavior, cultural preferences, and media consumption habits to inform localized marketing strategies
• Adapted messaging, creative assets, and channel strategies for diverse international markets based on regional consumer insights and competitive analysis
• Implemented geo-specific optimization strategies accounting for language nuances, payment preferences, sporting interests, and cultural sensitivities
• Monitored local market trends, competitor activities, and seasonal opportunities to capitalize on timely marketing initiatives

Brand Building & Market Positioning:

• Contributed to brand messaging development and positioning strategies for new market entries, ensuring consistency across all customer touchpoints
• Supported public relations initiatives and local event sponsorships to increase brand visibility and community engagement
• Developed customer experience insights and provided feedback to Product teams on feature improvements and localization opportunities

• Managed financial operations for multinational technology distribution company, developing strong organizational and process management skills
• Built attention to detail, deadline management, and cross-functional communication capabilities
• Established vendor relationship management and negotiation skills through daily supplier interactions