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Mary Kay Bean has accomplished a wide range of achievements in the communications industry.
Since 2014, she has held the positions of Communications Specialist and Public Information Officer for the Michigan Gaming Control Board.
Bean’s tenure with the MGCB will conclude on June 1, marking her retirement after a remarkable 40-year career.
Before joining the MGCB, Bean worked as a reporter for The Romeo Observer and held communication roles at companies such as DTE Energy and JPMorgan Chase.
During the past five years, Bean’s involvement with the MGCB coincided with a transformative period for the Michigan gambling industry, marked by significant breakthroughs.
Before her retirement, we had the opportunity to have a conversation with Bean about her illustrious communications career and the difficulties posed by the constantly evolving gaming industry.
Interview with Michigan Gaming Control Board’s Mary Kay Bean
Through your extensive career in media relations, what interested you about working with the MGCB?
Bean found the challenge of learning new industries and the chance to work in the government sector appealing. Having previously worked for DTE Energy, an investor-owned utility company, and JPMorgan Chase & Co, a prominent financial services company, Bean enjoyed diversifying their knowledge and experiences. The contrasting nature of the gaming and horse racing businesses intrigued Bean.
How did your experience in media relations differ with the MGCB compared to other companies?
During my time at the utility company, I dealt with numerous crisis situations, particularly those caused by storms that led to power outages. This experience taught me how to act swiftly in order to safeguard and update the public, all within a fast-paced working environment. While my primary interaction was with reporters in Southeastern Michigan, I also communicated with journalists in Lansing and other parts of the state, in addition to major television and radio networks. My duty required me to be available 24/7 on a rotating basis, promptly responding to media inquiries received outside regular working hours. This involved participating in various types of interviews, both live and pre-recorded, with radio stations, newspapers, and network affiliates, ranging from large networks to small-town publications.
During my time in the financial services industry, I had the opportunity to witness notable events such as mergers and acquisitions, the ensuing rebranding of the bank, and the impact of the 2008 recession. These experiences greatly contributed to my expertise in media relations. Additionally, my responsibilities extended beyond Michigan to encompass other states like Wisconsin and later Ohio. This expansion allowed me to establish connections with reporters whom I had not previously known. Moreover, I had the privilege of managing media relations for Chase Auto Finance and Chase Student Lending, collaborating with trade, local, and national reporters nationwide.
In recent years, as we expanded our range of gaming options, the MGCB has witnessed an increase in inquiries from various news outlets including trade media, local, state, and national sources. Consequently, our agency has made significant efforts to enhance our media outreach activities.
Media relations have been significantly altered by advancements in technology. In the past, news releases were sent via mail or fax, and interviews and news conferences were conducted in person or recorded. Nowadays, we have the convenience of internet-based tools like email, social media, and text messages to communicate. Additionally, platforms such as Zoom enable us to conduct interviews and news conferences swiftly on a computer. While telephone interviews are still utilized, they have become less common.
How did your job change with the addition of online sports betting and online casinos?
Bean: The inclusion of online sports betting and online casino gaming in my job significantly increased my workload. It attracted significant attention from various media outlets, including trade, local, state, and national sources. Naturally, I had to familiarize myself with new laws and regulations while also keeping up with the latest news in the industry. The period before the launch was quite demanding due to the intense curiosity surrounding Michigan’s unique approach. Fortunately, our launch was a success, and the ongoing interest has been consistently high since our state stands out as one of the few allowing internet casino gaming.
What was the greatest challenge about being in media relations in the gaming industry?
Bean: For reporters who don’t regularly cover the industry, it can be challenging to fully comprehend it. Assisting them in grasping its complexities often demands additional effort.
What do you feel you learned most about in the gaming industry in your time with the MGCB? Did anything surprise you?
Bean: Having worked in regulated industries, I can confidently say that the gaming industry in Michigan is subject to extensive regulations. Interestingly, there are similarities between the licensing and oversight processes in the gaming industry and the nuclear industry. However, it’s worth noting that the nuclear industry is regulated at the federal level, unlike the gaming industry, which falls under state-level regulations. It wasn’t until I joined the agency that I truly grasped the magnitude of regulation in the gaming sector.
Although I was knowledgeable about horse racing, I lacked familiarity with the pari-mutuel wagering system and betting on simulcast horse races.
What areas do you think gaming/casino companies could improve their communications/media relations?
Bean expresses their hope that the industry will prioritize the needs of consumers and patrons. They emphasize the importance of providing clear communication to customers, especially in the realms of internet gaming and sports betting. Bean believes that it is crucial for operators and providers to offer responsible gaming options and easily accessible information on patron dispute resolution. They stress the significance of making this information readily available and understandable to patrons on operator/provider websites.
