TwitterLinkedinWhatsappFacebook
Each month, ESI compiles the period’s most significant esports movers and shakers. January’s round-up features personnel changes from the likes of Tencent, BIG, Evil Geniuses and BLAST, among others.
Image credit: Esports Insider
Here are the key esports movers and shakers from January 2022. To read more about a story below, click the link in the corresponding title.
Spotlighted story
The Esports Observer CEO Chris Hana steps down to join Epics Collectibles
Image credit: Christopher Hana, via LinkedIn
Christopher Hana, the Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of The Esports Observer, has announced he is stepping down from his position at the news media platform to join the Epics Collectibles’ executive team.
On LinkedIn, Hana announced that he will remain with The Esports Observer and its parent company Leaders Group Holdings LLC as a consultant.
BIG appoints Christian ‘Blizzard’ Chmiel as COO
Image credit: Berlin International Gaming
German esports organisation BIG (Berlin International Gaming) has appointed former Counter-Strike player Christian ‘Blizzard’ Chmiel as its Chief Operating Officer (COO).
In his role, Chmiel will collaborate with the organisation’s executive team and is expected to play an integral role in helping shape the organisation.
Overactive Media welcomes Matt McGlynn as Vice President of Marketing and Brand
Pictured: Matt McGlynn, Vice President of Marketing and Brand at Overactive Media. Image credit: Overactive Media
OverActive Media, the parent company of Toronto Ultra, Toronto Defiant and MAD Lions, has appointed Matt McGlynn as its new Vice President of Marketing and Brand.
McGlynn joins the company following more than a decade with the Royal Bank of Canada (RBC), where he served as its Vice President of Brand Marketing.
James Woollard departs FIFA to join BLAST as Head of Commercial Solutions
(ESI Illustration) Image credit: BLAST, James Woolland, via LinkedIn
James Woollard, FIFA’s former Senior Process and Planning Manager for Business Solutions, has announced his departure from the organisation to join BLAST as its new Head of Commercial Solutions.
On LinkedIn, Woollard announced that this hire marks his first venture into esports.
Tencent Games appoints Daniel Sanders as Global Marketing Lead
(ESI Illustration) Image credit: Daniel Sanders / Tencent
Former Red Bull executive Daniel Sanders has announced his departure from the company to become Tencent Games’ Senior Global Marketing Lead.
According to Sanders’ LinkedIn post, he will oversee esports marketing at Tencent to help ‘take the scene to new heights’.
Chief Revenue Officer Jeff Pabst departs FaZe Clan
(ESI Illustration) Image credit: FaZe Clan / Jeff Pabst
Jeff Pabst, the former Chief Revenue Officer for North American esports brand FaZe Clan, has announced his departure from the organisation via a LinkedIn post.
Since joining FaZe Clan in 2019, Pabst was one of the key figures for a number of the organisation’s partnerships in 2020 and 2021. This included helping secure deals with the likes of SteelSeries, Draft Kings, and MoonPay, among others. Pabst did not share any detailed plans about his future.
TSM FTX names Dominic Kallas as Vice President of Esports
Image credit: Dominic Kallas, TSM FTX
North American esports organisation TSM FTX has appointed Dominic Kallas as its Vice President of Esports.
Kallas joins following a three-year tenure with multinational organisation Gen.G, where he served as Head of U.S. Operations.
BIG Esports appoints Sonali A Abrol as new Business Development and Accounts Director
Australia-based gaming, esports and Web 3.0 agency BIG Esports has appointed Sonali A Abrol, formerly of Nintendo Australia, Gameloft and Ubisoft India, as its Business Development and Accounts Director.
According to BIG Esports, Abrol will lead the agency’s account portfolio management and client business development initiatives. Abrol will also aim to strike strategic client partnerships as the company expands globally.
Subnation appoints former ESL, Riot Games and Activision Blizzard executives
(ESI Illustration) Image credit: Subnation
Esports entertainment holding company Subnation has appointed a number of high profile executives in the gaming and esports space to bolster its operations.
The individuals’ careers span across multiple known esports and gaming companies including Activision Blizzard, Riot Games and ESL Gaming, as well as music, tech and arts festival SXSW.
Evil Geniuses appoints Caroline Young as Director of Corporate Partnerships
(ESI Illustration) Image credit: Caroline Young / Evil Geniuses
North American esports organisation Evil Geniuses has named Caroline Young, formally of the Los Angeles Sparks, as its Director of Corporate Partnership.
Young will focus on negotiating and securing new partnerships for the organisation, whilst also bringing Evil Geniuses’ brand to new audiences.
OG Esports welcomes Michael Schwartz as Head of Esports
Image credit: OG Esports
European esports organisation OG Esports has announced the appointment of Michael Schwartz as its new Head of Esports.
Schwartz will be leading OG Esports’s competitive department, as well as ensuring its athletes’ needs are met, according to a Twitter post.