New global CEO for next stage of Prezzee expansion
For immediate release
SYDNEY: February 17, 2022
Prezzee Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Tony Karp has today announced he will be stepping down from his role with the global eGift card platform. Former MasterCard Executive Jamie Samaha has been appointed by the Board as global CEO, to commence in mid-March 2022.
In his three years as CEO of Prezzee, Tony Karp has overseen the digital gift card merchant’s rapid growth in Australia and its expansion into North America, United Kingdom and New Zealand.
Prezzee Chairman Shaun Bonett lauded Tony’s tireless efforts in building Australia’s fastest-growing eGift card company.
“Tony has been at the helm of the business during an extraordinarily successful time for Prezzee. Under his leadership, Prezzee has grown strongly in Australia and expanded into new markets,” said Mr Bonett.
Tony Karp joined Prezzee as its 10th employee. Today, Prezzee employs 200 staff globally with ambitions to double its workforce in the next 12 months.
“I haven’t arrived at this decision lightly, but on balance I know this is the right move for me and my family and the right time for a new leader to step into the CEO role,” said Mr Karp.
Mr Bonett said the Board had been working through many weeks of discussion with Mr Karp and have used this time to secure a new CEO. Jamie Samaha will step into the role following seven years with global technology company, Mastercard.
“Our immediate focus is about ensuring a seamless transition so that we can maintain the strong momentum we’re experiencing at home and abroad. Australian born and bred, Jamie Samaha brings significant international fin-tech experience to Prezzee.
As our global expansion accelerates, we anticipate an increased need for diverse, complex, multi-market teams. Jamie will be firmly focussed on taking the business to the next level and cementing our status as the world’s leading digital gifting platform,” said Mr Bonett.
Off the back of a COVID-induced eCommerce boom, Prezzee has experienced an unprecedented demand for its services around the world.
“For now, it’s about acknowledging the tremendous contribution Tony has made to the business and the significant role he has played in fuelling our success,” said Mr Bonett.
About Prezzee
Prezzee is a digital gift card and payments company operating in Australia, New Zealand, the United States and the United Kingdom. Founded in Australia in 2014 to address the age-old problem of losing or forgetting gift cards, and to make them more planet-friendly, Prezzee is now the country’s largest eGift card marketplace.
Following its expansion into the US and UK in 2020, Prezzee now has 800+ retail partners, has reached over 21 million consumers and facilitated 8 million eGift card transactions in FY21. Prezzee was ranked 15th in the 2020 Deloitte Tech Fast 50 Australia and 108th in the 2020 Deloitte Fast 500 Asia Pacific, the 23rd highest ranking of the 102 Australian technology companies awarded.
It achieved a record fiscal year revenue growth of 509% over the three years to 2020 and a compound annual growth rate of 142% over the five years to 2020. However, whilst our numbers are compelling, we know it’s our people and culture that set us apart, and we’re equally proud of being recognised in Australia and New Zealand as a 2021 Great Place to Work®.
Media contact
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s.koopmans@sixoclock.com.au
Siobhan Koopmans mob: +61 430 062 288
