A social media savvy Basingstoke marketing executive is behind the latest craze that is taking Facebook by storm (From Hampshire Chronicle)

A social media savvy Basingstoke marketing executive is behind Texas Ask’Em Poker which is taking Facebook by storm.

7:00am Sunday 12th August 2012 in Hampshire Business By Richard Garfield

A SOCIAL media savvy market executive is behind the latest craze that is taking Facebook by storm.

When Simon Hood, pictured, is not working for leading relocation specialist HCR, as head of marketing, he heads up the UK operations of Irish games company Oteeto.

The company recently launched a new form of poker with the much-anticipated Texas Ask’Em Poker on Facebook at the Social Gaming Summit in Berlin, Germany. Simon said Texas Ask’Em Poker combines poker with trivia to create a poker game with a big difference – players have the chance to influence the cards they receive by answering questions on a range of topics including sports, entertainment, and general knowledge. The person with the correct answer in the fastest time receives the best hand.

The game uses the latest programming skills to ensure players with the same |hobbies are seated together, enabling a social element. Simon said: “The response has been excellent! It has already been installed over 11,500 times, amassed over 6,500 likes, and our players have already sent over 150,000 game invites to their friends.” Keen to attract more followers, Simon said an iPad version of the game is set to be launched this month.