Park Place Entertainment Corporation (NYSE: PPE), the world`s largest gaming company, today named Mitchell Simbal senior vice president of the company`s retail division - Park Place Retail. Park Place owns, manages or has an interest in 28 gaming properties around the world operating under the Caesars, Bally`s, Flamingo, Grand Casinos, Hilton and Paris brand names.

Reporting to Park Place Chief Operating Officer, Wallace R. Barr, Simbal, 48, is responsible for all day-to-day activities that support the creation, production and sales of resort-brand merchandise; development of resort-based shops and retail attractions; management of tenant leases; and the licensing of Park Place brands for cooperative commercial ventures.

“We are very pleased to have Mitch step up to lead our company`s retail initiatives,” said Barr. “His proven track record with strong retail brands and his long experience in our industry will help us develop better products and shopping experiences that complement and enhance our guests` visits to Park Place resorts,” Barr added.
“I`m very excited about this opportunity to further extend the best-known brands in the casino-resort industry,” said Simbal. “Park Place is a young company with great potential. We`re looking to further leverage our brand equity and improve our margins both in brick and mortar retail and in our online sales.”
The company`s multi-million-dollar retail division is responsible for products that range from fashion and fine jewelry to logo leisurewear and sundries sold in the more than 90 shops, based in the company`s resorts, golf pro shops and at McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas. Park Place brand merchandise is available online at parkplace.com and resort Web sites. Mail order merchandise is sold by phone at 800-843-1043.

Simbal joined Caesars World Merchandise in 1997, remaining with the retail division after Park Place acquired Caesars in December 1999. During this time, he has served in various executive roles, most recently as vice president of operations.
Prior to joining Park Place, Simbal was vice president of retail for HE-RO Group, Ltd., a publicly traded company offering product lines that included eveningwear manufactured under the Oleg Cassini and Niteline labels. Simbal`s extensive experience also includes positions as vice president of retail for St. John Knits, vice president of retail for Escada U.S.A. and director of new store operations for Burberrys, Ltd.

Simbal was born and grew up in New City, N.Y., where he attended high school. A graduate of the University of Hartford, Conn., with a bachelor of science in accounting and finance, Simbal lives in Las Vegas with his wife, Tammy, and their two children.

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