Clever Advertising, a Tier 1 iGaming marketer, has now officially opened its new office at the Wembley Business Centre, Msida. This marks the start of a significant chapter for the company in Malta, and leading the move is Managing Director Alberto Simoes who is overseeing the expansion.

With Malta becoming the group’s second-largest base after Porto, the company is driving its next phase of growth in a country that already plays a central role in the digital economy.

For Mr Simoes, the decision reflects a sense of alignment between the company’s trajectory and Malta’s established strengths. “The opening of our Malta office marks a very proud moment for all of us at Clever Advertising. Malta offers the right mix of talent, innovation, and business-friendly regulation, so it felt natural for it to become our second-largest hub after Porto,” he reflects, adding that it’s precisely the island’s thriving digital landscape, strong regulatory environment, and ties to the organisation’s core industries in iGaming and financial services that have shaped this direction.

At the centre of the company’s expansion is its performance-driven model, a structure that the Managing Director considers key to its long-term partnerships.

“We don’t just run marketing campaigns – we invest in them alongside our clients. We share both the risks and the rewards, which in turn builds genuine trust as our success is directly tied to theirs,” he says.

Using this strategy, the organisation has cultivated relationships across Europe, the US, Latin America and beyond, funding customer acquisition upfront and requesting payment only when campaigns deliver results.

With Malta forming a central part of Clever Advertising’s European footprint, the ambition is to build a centre of excellence where professionals can work on international campaigns while leading the next phase of digital marketing innovation.

The strategic location, multilingual talent pool, and established digital ecosystem give the Malta team the proximity Mr Simoes sees as increasingly important.

“The similarities between Portugal and Malta in terms of entrepreneurial spirit and work-life balance are clear, but being physically closer to clients brings new advantages and opens doors to opportunities more easily,” Mr Simoes acknowledges.

This new chapter also ties directly to his own path within the company. Over seven years, he has worked as General Counsel in Porto before becoming a Director and Board member, eventually taking on the responsibility of leading the Malta expansion.

“To make our Malta operation work, we needed someone on the ground. And I felt it was important to take that responsibility myself. Working across cultures has taught me how vital it is to adapt communication styles so teams can thrive in different environments.”

The launch in Malta coincides with the introduction of Clever Launchpad, the company’s new work experience scheme for young people not currently in employment or further education. Mr Simoes speaks about the initiative with clear enthusiasm, describing how it aims to bridge the gap between academic learning and the skills needed in the fast-moving digital industry.

“We want to break the myth that digital jobs in international companies are only for foreigners. Launchpad gives local young people the chance to gain real experience, mentorship, and even exposure to our Porto office,” he elaborates.

For participants, curiosity and adaptability matter more than experience. Launchpad focuses on developing analytical skills, creativity, and the ability to work collaboratively in an international environment.

Whether candidates are passionate about tech, gaming, AI or online trends, the approach is the same. Time spent in Porto deepens this growth, exposing them to different cultural and professional contexts and helping them build confidence that can shape careers both in Malta and abroad.

And this is only the beginning. “Clever Advertising is constantly evolving, and Malta is becoming a real hub for that growth. Over the next year, we see the office here expanding not only in size, but also in the variety of teams and expertise we bring together. We already have a good mixture of teams representing most of our departments, including sales, finance, influencer marketing, legal, marketing & communications, media buying, office management, people, and tech, and we’re always reviewing new campaign approaches for our clients.” Mr Simoes states.

And how does AI fit in all this? The Managing Director smiles.

“We fully embrace AI as a company. Not as a buzzword, but as a tool to help us innovate, work more efficiently, and stay agile in a fast-moving industry. That mindset of continuous learning and experimentation will continue to shape the way we grow in Malta and beyond,” he concludes.

Find out more about Clever Advertising, and the Launchpad scheme: https://careers.cleveradvertising.com/jobs/6755451-launch-your-career-clever-launchpad-scheme