The esports industry is growing by effectively every metric and so too are the companies and organisations that inhabit it; with this comes new employment opportunities and promotions. With coronavirus affecting how most companies are operating, there are changes on that front also.
Now that Esports Insider is keeping track of the key personnel changes in the industry, we will compile the biggest personnel developments each month. Here are the esports movers and shakers for July 2020.
Envy Gaming names Adam Rymer as new CEO
North American organisation Envy Gaming announced Adam Rymer as its new CEO, replacing Mike Rufail.
Rymer has served as President of both Nerdist Industries and Legendary Digital Networks, Chairman of the Board of Directors at USA Volleyball, and SVP of Digital Platforms at Universal Pictures, and is still actively a board member of Omnislash.
Jacob Harrison joins LDN UTD as Chief Gaming Officer
British grassroots esports organisation LDN UTD appointed Jacob Harrison as its Chief Gaming Officer (CGO).
Harrison brings a wealth of event organisation experience to his new position, having previously served as both as a community leader and as a product manager at ESL and BLAST.
Dignitas hires Jeremy Dempe as Director of Content
North American organisation Dignitas hired Jeremy Dempe as its Director of Content.
Prior to joining Dignitas, Dempe served as a producer and cinematographer for 100 Thieves. He has also held the position of Content Creative Director for IGC brands Immortals, MIBR, and Los Angeles Valiant, and worked as a videographer for Gravity Brands before he entered esports.
Greg Selkoe, Clinton Sparks, and Wil Eddins depart FaZe Clan
Greg Selkoe, Clinton Sparks, and Wil Eddins all departed North American organisation FaZe Clan and started a new venture named XSET.
Sources have confirmed to Esports Insider that an internal announcement about Selkoe’s departure was made in May, months before XSET was announced, and that VP of Business Development, Sparks, and VP of Apparel, Eddins, both handed in their letters of resignation mid-July.
Craig Levine appointed as Co-CEO of ESL
Tournament organiser ESL appointed Craig Levine as its Co-CEO, promoting him from his previous role as Chief Strategy Officer.
Levine replaces David Neichel as Co-CEO alongside Ralf Reichert, with Neichel now serving as a senior advisor to them both.
Digital Isle of Man hires Chris Kissack as Head of Esports
Digital Isle of Man, an agency within the Department of Enterprise for the Isle of Man, appointed its Head of Esports in Chris Kissack.
Prior to joining the government, Kissack held the position of Esports Specialist at Amber Gaming, a company that offers corporate services, accounting, regulatory compliance, and licensing in gaming and esports.
MTG president and CEO Jorgen Madsen Lindemann to depart
Jorgen Madsen Lindemann, president and CEO of ESL and DreamHack parent company Modern Times Group (MTG), submitted his letter of resignation to the company board.
Lindemann, who was promoted to the roles in 2012, will remain at the company for up to 12 months per his employment contract until the board appoints a replacement. Lindemann served a number of other roles for the company after joining in 1994 as the Head of Interactive Services, including Head of Sponsorship for TV3 and Executive Vice President of MTG’s Nordic broadcasting options.
Dignitas names John ‘TYPO’ Williams as Creative Director
North American organisation Dignitas appointed John ‘TYPO’ Williams to the role of Creative Director.
Williams is a graphic designer and creative that has previously worked for the likes of Luminosity Gaming and OpTic Gaming’s former parent company, Infinite Esports & Entertainment.
Martyn Gibbs and Adam Apicella named to Vindex leadership team
Esports infrastructure company Vindex welcomed new additions to its management team after announcing the acquisition of GAME’s Belong Gaming Arenas division.
Martyn Gibbs, CEO of GAME Digital, joined the Vindex management team as CEO of Belong Gaming to oversee the expansion throughout the US and develop a global strategy. Further additions to the management team include the appointment of Adam Apicella, CEO of Esports Engine, as Vindex’s Chief Experience Officer, while Rahul Jaiswal joined as Finance Director.