Playbook for Scaling Real-Time Personalization with Mario D’Agostino, VP at FanDuel

On Today’s Show:

In today's digital landscape, personalized user experiences are desirable and necessary.

Mario D'Agostino, VP of Product and Product Analytics at FanDuel, is a seasoned veteran in the tech industry who understands the value of leveraging real-time data and probability algorithms to create personalized user experiences.

FanDuel is the biggest online real money gaming company and the leading sports booking app in the US. It commands over 40% market share and has 14 million active customers. This massive customer base presents unique challenges in terms of customer engagement and retention.

In this episode, Mario discusses the strategy that aims to see FanDuel grow its business by 4x by 2025. He also shares insights from his data playbook, the tech stack behind it, and how he’s effectively scaled his stack during periods of rapid expansion.

Main Takeaways:

• FanDuel's user experience personalization is driven by real-time data and probability algorithms, leveraging tools like Segment to optimize customer lifetime value and adjust acquisition costs.
• The transformative power of Braze Content Cards is harnessed to deliver timely, personalized content based on user spending habits, a strategy also adopted by brands like Venmo.
• Preparing for high-traffic events like the Super Bowl involves system stress tests and collaborations with tech partners. Platforms such as KNIME are utilized to dynamically segment offers in real time.
• During major events like the Super Bowl, FanDuel employs predictive analytics and tools like KNIME to send timely push notifications tailored for each user.
• FanDuel's innovative data strategy embraces Reverse ETL, allowing custom model building with KNIME and data loading into platforms like Salesforce. Additionally, the strategic integration of Segment and AppsFlyer facilitates real-time adjustments to customer acquisition costs.

Dan’s Top Tools:

• Amplitude: A product analytics platform that provides insights into user behavior, allowing businesses to visualize conversion funnels and conduct A/B tests.
• Braze: A customer engagement platform that provides real-time, personalized messaging across various channels. It's used for delivering tailored content at the right moments.
• Segment: A customer data platform that helps businesses collect, clean, and activate their data, offering a unified view of the customer and enabling real-time personalization.
• AppsFlyer: An advanced mobile app attribution and marketing analytics platform helping marketers pinpoint their targeting, optimize their ad spend, and boost their ROI.
• KNIME: A data analytics platform that allows for creating dynamic audiences, real-time segmentation of offers, and the dispatch of relevant push notifications.
• Optimove: A marketing platform designed to drive customer loyalty and engagement.
• Salesforce: A comprehensive customer relationship management solution that aids in managing campaigns and customer data.
• Marke