Inside Asian Gaming

January 2013 | INSIDE ASIAN GAMING 39 FEATURES M Life members who play myVegas can accumulate points that can be converted into tangible value; tickets to shows, room upgrades, free restaurant accommodations, etc. “It has really been exciting for folks to see they’re playing something for a diversion that is different from a video poker game online, they can have a social experience with their friends, with interactions and networking,” said Mr Murren. “They can literally build Las Vegas and as they develop that play and loyalty in that game they can see at any point in time what they’re eligible to redeem in our resorts.” “I think it’s the tip of the iceberg,” Mr Murren added. “I firmly believe in convergence between gamers and the gamingindustry.Weshouldn’tbeintimidated by the gamers or social gaming; we should embrace it and find ways to make our experiences more interactive, more nimble, more flexible and more interesting for this increasingly socially and technologically more sophisticated customer.” The Best Possible Position His financial background is well known to many, but Mr Murren was an art history and urban studies major at Trinity College in his home state of Connecticut. With a new four-year contract extension in hand, he is secure in a job that deploys the full use of his talents and interests. “The original goal was to become an architect; I felt that was the next step,” he said. “But along the way I had done some internships at a bank in Connecticut, which led me to Wall Street in 1984. I still have a great passion for art and architecture and planning. I have a tremendous pride in teamwork; it’s something that was a core value in my family growing up and recreationally. The fact that I get to be part of a company and a great team, that has many teams within a larger team, to be able to work with tremendous visionaries of architecture and interior design, retail and entertainment, both within our company and the talent that we use from outside our company has been remarkable to me. I feel like I’m in the best possible position to utilize not only what I can bring to a company professionally, but my deepest interests, which are working with people, working with communities, working on the development of ideas, opportunities for people and growing this resort business.” “I certainly can’t say that this is a path I envisioned when I was a senior in college, but it seems to have all winded around to a point where in hindsight it seems to make sense,” Mr Murren added. “I think that my Wall Street experience was valuable to me as an individual. I am a huge proponent of a liberal arts education. I feel like that prepared me to communicate, to think strategically, to articulate thoughts. I know that going to Wall Street as a research assistant starting at the bottom, grinding through the analytical process and taught how to think analytically, how to critically assess situations and objectively evaluate business propositions and communicate those ideas in a way that would be compelling to investors was a great experience for me. It bridged my role as the CFO of the company when I came here in 1998.” Mr Murren is also quick to credit interaction with long-time MGM executives for smoothing out some of his rougher edges and prepping him for a leadership role. “The mentoring I had here, through Terry Lanni and, of course, Kirk Kerkorian and the great property presidents and marketing people, has rounded out my experiences and brought me full circle—to a point where I can help direct what is a tremendous company.” Reprinted with permission from Casino Journal . The diversity of MGM offerings in Las Vegas and elsewhere allows the company to create one-of-a-kind reward opportunities for its customers and otherwise cross-promote throughout the company Supportive mentor—MGM Resorts International Director Emeritus Kirk Kerkorian