MightyTips spoke to Boomerang’s Ivan Kraynov on their partnership with AC Milan

On 4 July 2024, our esteemed partners Boomerang grabbed the attention of the iGaming industry when they announced a new partnership with AC Milan, becoming the Official Regional Betting Partner of one of the most decorated football clubs in Italy and seven-time UEFA Champions League winners.

MightyTips spoke exclusively to Boomerang co-founder Ivan Kraynov and asked him some MightyQs about the partnership and how big it was for their sportsbook.

MightyQs is our brand-new series of interviews with our partners, exploring the latest trends and developments in iBetting.

MightyQs: Congratulations on becoming AC Milan's Official Regional Betting Partner in Europe. How big is that for Boomerang?

Ivan Kraynov: Thank you! The partnership with AC Milan is an important milestone for Boomerang and the Boomerang Bet brand in particular. Joining forces with a team that shares our commitment to winning, bravery, and innovation marks a major step forward for us. In December, AC Milan are celebrating their 125th anniversary, and it’s an honour for us to collaborate with such a storied club during this milestone year.

This three-year partnership represents a new level for Boomerang Sportsbook and aligns with our dedication to supporting trends in the sports industry. We are excited to collaborate with a premier club to elevate the sport and engage fans in new and exciting ways, opening up many exclusive opportunities for our partners and players.

Boomerang co-founder Ivan Kraynov holding an AC Milan jersey ©Boomerang

Why AC Milan?

Ivan Kraynov: We admire AC Milan for their prowess on the field and their powerful brand philosophy that mirrors our aspirations. AC Milan is a symbol of excellence and a lifestyle brand, partnering with top-tier companies like Emirates, BMW, Puma, and Off-White. Their creative and collaborative spirit resonates with us. Boomerang and AC Milan share a commitment to achieving greatness, as reflected in our partnership’s key message: WIN BIG TOGETHER.

What are the goals of this partnership for Boomerang Sportsbook?

Ivan Kraynov: This partnership will strengthen Boomerang's brand loyalty and provide a wide range of opportunities to build high-quality relationships with B2B partners, our product users in the B2C segment, and media outlets. We are in the final stages of agreeing on our common activities with AC Milan, and with the start of the Serie A season on August 17, everyone will see the implementation of these plans.

While we’re not revealing all the details just yet, we have many exciting plans in the works. For instance, at the recent iGB L!VE 2024, we raffled off tickets to an AC Milan match among our partners. About 1500 people took part in the giveaway. In addition, we have both online and offline activities planned as part of our partnership. And they are designed for different target audiences. Stay tuned for even more grand projects ahead!

Does the deal cover your other brands bar the Boomerang Sportsbook?

Ivan Kraynov: The deal with AC Milan only involves the Boomerang Sportsbook brand. I would also like to mention that we have 14 products in our portfolio and will have more by the end of 2024. But I won’t get ahead of myself.

Your partnership excludes Italy. What are the primary markets that you want to reach?

Ivan Kraynov: We can promote our cooperation with AC Milan in any other jurisdiction in Europe except Italy. We work globally. We aim to reach beyond any single market, leveraging AC Milan’s impressive global popularity.

Ivan Kraynov, Boomerang co-founder, and Maikel Oettle, Chief Commercial Officer of AC Milan, playing table football ©Boomerang

What are your next steps in brand marketing?

Ivan Kraynov: Our partnership with AC Milan has just begun, and we have many exciting plans in the works. We are not just interested in having our name associated with a renowned brand; we seek full-fledged collaborations. Therefore, we carefully assess the readiness for close and active cooperation. Our goal at Boomerang Sportsbook is not only to increase brand awareness but also to make a significant contribution to sports and the industry.

People can benefit from such iconic collaborations aimed at customers and fans. They will, for example, be able to participate in raffles for a chance to win match tickets or to meet their favourite players. I can't disclose the details, but there is a lot of interest in partnering with us. For example, while we were preparing to announce our collaboration with AC Milan, another equally famous football club in Europe contacted us.

Do you believe there will be a correlation between AC Milan's wins and the user activity on your websites?

Ivan Kraynov: We are counting on it. AC Milan has a fan base of 550 million people worldwide. This will ensure a significant increase in awareness of Boomerang and the use of the company's products.

We aim to engage our audience not just as an iGaming and betting product, but as a comprehensive lifestyle brand.

Our goal is to demonstrate that Boomerang Sportsbook embodies lifestyle and brand trust at the highest level. Our partnership with AC Milan is intended to showcase and deliver this value to both our partners and users, emphasizing the excitement of being involved in top-tier sports.

Finally, how do you think AC Milan will fare in Serie A and UEFA Champions League this season?

Ivan Kraynov: AC Milan's glorious history, celebrated this year with their 125th anniversary, obliges them to fight for the top spots in all the tournaments they participate in. I am sure they will be contenders for the Scudetto in Serie A and among the top clubs in the Champions League which will be held in a revamped format. I wish our partners the victory. I'm confident it will be thrilling to watch AC Milan in the upcoming season — and Boomerang too, of course.