• by Ray Schultz , September 30, 2025

Publishers Clearing House (PCH) has appointed Owen O’Donoghue as chief executive officer. 

O’Donoghue, a gaming industry veteran, will lead a brand revitalization. This includes the launch of the Prize Protection Program, a bankruptcy-remote structure ensuring all future sweepstakes payouts are fully secure, while turning PCH into a mobile-first digital entertainment platform.

“With the Prize Protection Program, we are combining PCH’s iconic sweepstakes heritage with modern, secure digital experiences, ensuring every winner is protected while introducing mobile-first gaming that excites and engages users nationwide,” O’Donoghue says in a statement.

PCH entered Chapter 11 bankrtupcy in April of this year, and in July was acquired by ARB Interactive, a mobile and social gaming company, for $7.1 million in a deal sanctioned by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York.

ARB does not hold itself responsible for payments to people who won prior to July. 

The company plans to implement The Prize Protection Program, an initiative that will guarantee payment of all future PCH prizes, regardless of its own financial status. This will be funded with investment-grade assets held in FDIC-insured escrow accounts and managed through a bank-run investment vehicle, according to ARB.  

O’Donoghue has served as director of gaming at Facebook (now Meta). In addition, he co-founded InfiniGods and pioneered blockchain-based gaming solutions in his role as chief revenue officer.

“Owen O’Donoghue’s expertise in gaming and digital engagement makes him the perfect leader to guide PCH into its next chapter,” said Patrick Fechtmeyer, CEO of ARB Interactive. “His proven ability to drive innovation and build consumer trust aligns seamlessly with our mission to reimagine PCH as a leader in mobile-first, advertising-supported entertainment while honoring its iconic sweepstakes tradition.”