Who's Hot: John O'Donnell, WRI
Who's Hot: John O'Donnell, WRI
Odds-on as Former Paddy Power Technology Head Beds Down with Budget Accomodation Booking Engine Web Reservations
Online budget accommodation booking company, Web Reservations International (WRI), has recruited John O'Donnell as its new Chief Technology Officer (CTO). John will take responsibility for crafting the technology strategy and roadmap which will positively impact the overall competitive position through the company's next phase of growth. Key to this in 2010 is the re-launch of WRI's flagship brand Hostelworld.com.
John joins WRI from Paddy Power plc where he held the role of Head of Technology since 2000. During this time he developed the technology capabilities of paddypower.com from a handful of employees to a 100 strong multi-discipline development and support function. This capability underpinned the growth of their e-Commerce business from a fledgling channel in 2000 to a billion euro turnover business delivering over 70% of corporate profits in 2009.
Additionally, John also developed and delivered a mission critical product and pricing global delivery system which was the basis for Paddy Powers B2B business channel that enabled their 2010 strategic alliance with the French conglomerate PMU, Europe's largest betting organisation.
Prior to Paddy Power, John worked in New York as Technology Operations Manager for Lehman Brothers and was responsible for the project implementation of a newly developed trading platform (OptiMark) onto the Nasdaq Stock Exchange in 1999.
Welcoming John to the company, CEO Feargal Mooney (pictured) said: "We're delighted to have John joining the team at WRI. He brings with him a broad level of expertise, which will be paramount in driving our technology strategy over the coming years. His wealth of experience, proven record for success and passion for technology make him the perfect fit for WRI, enabling us to fully realise the opportunities for growth and innovation that lie before us."
Commenting on his new position, John (pictured)said: "I'm enthusiastic to be joining WRI at what is a very exciting time in the company's history. As the market leader in the hostel and budget accommodation sector WRI is at the leading edge of technological innovation. I look forward to working with the team in achieving our ambitious targets and in making the booking experience across WRI's suite of websites, in particular our key consumer brand Hostelworld.com, as enjoyable and efficient as possible for our growing global customer base."
Headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, WRI was founded in 1999. It has developed award winning websites including hostelworld.com, hostels.com, bedandbreakfastworld.com and trav.com, and has successful affiliate relationships with many of the world's leading brands. The WRI business model is simple and fully automated; travellers pay a modest non-refundable deposit when they book accommodation online which is retained by WRI. The balance is then paid by the customer to the accommodation provider at check-in.
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