06 Sep Esports Movers and Shakers: August 2021
Each month, ESI, in collaboration with Omnicoach, compiles the period’s most significant esports movers and shakers (personnel changes).
Omnicoach is a software-as-a-service (SaaS) platform that connects esports teams and their sponsors with fans via authentic in-game experiences, helping engage and monetise audiences more effectively. To learn more about the company’s general service, click here.
Here are the key esports movers and shakers from August 2021. To read more about a story below, click the link in the corresponding title.
Spotlighted story
Riot Games appoints Erin Wayne as Global Head of Player Community
Photo credit: Riot Games
Game publisher Riot Games has announced the appointment of Erin Wayne as its Global Head of Player Community.
In her role, Wayne will be responsible for leading Riot Games’s interactions with players. This includes direct to community, social, editorial, and influencer relations.
Blizzard President J. Allen Brack steps down
Image credit: Blizzard Entertainment
Activision Blizzard has announced a major leadership change as the company’s President J. Allen Brack steps down from his role.
Brack will be replaced by Jen Oneal and Mike Ybarra, who will act as Co-leaders for Blizzard going forward.
EXCEL ESPORTS bolsters commercial team with new hires
Image credit: EXCEL ESPORTS
British esports organisation EXCEL ESPORTS has announced the hiring of several new personnel for its commercial team.
Mark Carter and Elle Garner have joined the organisation as EXCEL ESPORTS’s new Commercial Director and Commercial Analyst respectively. Moreover, Jordan Bedford has been hired as its Partnerships Manager, with Owen Betteridge being appointed as EXCEL ESPORTS’s Partnerships Executive.
FaZe Clan announces Brandon Jackson as VP of Business and Legal Affairs
Image credit: FaZe Clan, Brandon Jackson
North American esports organisation Faze Clan has named Brandon Jackson as its Vice President of Business and Legal Affairs.
With the help of Jackson, FaZe Clan aims to strengthen its legal team and use Jackson’s expertise to support the company’s growth.
Immortals GC expands leadership team, commits to player health
Image credit: Immortals Gaming Club
North American esports organisation Immortals Gaming Club (IGC) has announced multiple internal promotions to its leadership team and the return of Robert Yip as Head of Player Performance.
Yip previously worked as a Performance Coach for IGC until 2017 before joining FlyQuest Sports, Misfits, and then branching out as a freelance performance coach and sports psychologist. In his new role, Yip will work with both LCS and VALORANT teams to promote their physical, mental, and emotional well being.
Former pro basketballer Ivan Lazarev joins Virtus.pro as Sports Director
Image credit: Virtus.pro (ESI Illustration)
Polish esports organisation Virtus.pro has appointed former pro basketball player Ivan ‘Lazar’ Lazarev as its Sports Director.
Lazarev’s duties will include working with players and coaches to build training processes, as well as monitoring the psychological and physical condition of the team.
WIN Group appoints Stephen Shoemaker as CEO
Image credit: WIN Group/ Stephen Shoemaker
Esports betting company and WIN.gg founder WIN Group has appointed Stephen Shoemaker as its new CEO.
According to the release, Shoemaker’s leadership will help continue WIN Group’s global expansion and keep the firm’s aims of innovating in the esports betting industry.
Danny Lopez joins Galaxy Racer As Chief Content Officer
Credit: Galaxy Racer
Dubai-based esports organisation Galaxy Racer has hired Danny Lopez, formerly of Guild Esports, as its new Chief Content Officer.
Lopez arrives at Galaxy Racer with a wealth of senior-level experience in esports, as well as a nomination for ‘Esports Creative Of The Year’ at the 2021 Esports Awards. He will immediately take charge of the organisation’s content strategy and brand.
Mobalytics names LS and Nemesis as co-owners
Image Credit: Mobalytics
California-based esports analytics Platform Mobalytics has welcomed content creators Nick “LS” DeCesare and Tim “Nemesis” Lipovšek as co-owners.
DeCesare and Lipovšek will reportedly contribute to the design and development of the platform’s new tools and features designed for high-ranked players and professional teams.
Pittsburgh Knights name Julie Klausner Partnership Marketing Director
Headshot source: LinkedIn
North American esports organisation Pittsburgh Knights has announced the hiring of Julie
Klausner as its new Director of Partnership Marketing.
In her new role, Klausner will ‘help build the future of professional gaming in Pittsburgh and beyond’, bringing 20 years of sports partnership experience to the table.
Panda adds Sheri Simonson and Justin Varghese to partnership team
(ESI Illustration) Image credit: Panda
North American esports organisation Panda has recruited Sheri Simonson and Justin Varghese to its partnership team.
Simonson will become the organisation’s Vice President of Partnerships and Activations while Varghese has joined as a member of Panda’s Sales and Marketing Partnerships department.
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Commercial, Features, Games, Insights, Latest News, Markets, Personnel, Activision Blizzard, exceL eSports, FaZe Clan, Galaxy Racer, Immortals Gaming Club, Mobalytics, Panda, Pittsburgh Knights, Riot Games, Virtus.Pro, WIN Group
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