Gamers Change Lives

Community Initiative and Sponsorship Tactics

We have two guests today: Kieran Sanford. Co-Founder of ForG4MERSake in London, and Baba Dioum, the Manager SOLO Esport in Dakar Senegal.
Our discussion included:
How Kieran and Baba each came to esports from different paths.
They each talk briefly about the state of esports in their home countries, the UK and Senegal.
Baba was recently invited to an esports conference hosted by the Royal Federation of Esports in Morocco in Casablanca. He describes how Morocco is working on the development of esports both in their country and across Africa including highlighting Rabat as “The City of Gaming”.
Kieran, one of the founders of ForG4ERSSake, describes the mission of the organization – “Bringing the Community Together for Gaming” – and how it got started. There was a need for a hub to help get young people off the streets. The organization does just that through events, teams, and venues. Their focus is on how gaming can create career opportunities in more than just content creation.
ForG4MERSSake has developed partnerships with many organizations to help them on their quest, including Barclays. He provides his approach to securing sponsors which revolves around getting out there and talking with everyone.
” Just try to go for it.  And do as much as you can to reach out to people. You’re not going to go anywhere just standing there and not trying to be proactive in the market. Just be out there and try to echo your story.”
Baba relates how his organization and approach in Senegal has done much of the same thing, showing that gaming can be a positive influence in many parts of the world.
Baba also talks about his organization SOLO Esport and how they learned that to create a true business it is important to look for different business models to be successful.
Both Kieran and Baba talk about the challenges that esports can face when working with audiences who speak different languages.
Next Kieran talks about how his organization works with influencers. Content creation can be a very lonely place to be. They manage most aspects of the streamer’s career so they can focus on what they do best: create content.
Baba relates the ongoing sponsorship journey for SOLO Esport, including how funding can come from various sources such as banks and the governments of France and Senegal.
And both weigh in on the question of whether the Olympics should include esports in their program in the future.
 
Episode Webpage: https://www.gamerschangelivespodcast.com/creating-community-initiatives-and-sponsorship-tactics-with-kieran-sanford-and-baba-dioum
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FEATURED IN THIS EPISDOE:
Kieran Sanford
Co-Founder of 4Sake an influencer management agency primarily within gaming & esports. Managing a range of influencers including streamers, content creators & professional esports players.
4Sake also have a community arm that they’re heavily focused in called “ForG4MERSake” which do events & workshops to help educate to young people on the industry and the viable career pathways & opportunities within it.
LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/kieran-sanford-675785b2
Email:  kieran@4sake-esports.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/kieransanford01
Baba Dioum
A passionate gamer and a believer in esports, I am the Co-Founder of Solo Esport – the first professional esport club in West Africa and the President of the SENGAMES Association. I've been in the African esport scene since 2010, working to place Africa on the esports world map. I have in the last 12 years travelled to many countries, building connections, and collaborating with other esport associations and institutes.
My goal is to build the best esport team in Africa through Solo Esport by helping young talents reach their full potential and make their mark in the international scene. With Sengames, I want to establish the best esport events in Africa, in collaboration with other eSport actors. Esport is big opportunity and can be a great as tool for education and social change.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mamadoudioum/
Email:  baba.dioum@soloesport.sn
SOLO Esport: https://www.soloesport.sn
Facebook: https://facebook.com/soloesportclub
Twitter: https://twitter.com/_3thousand_
Instagram: https://instagram.com/soloesport
Twitch: https://twitch.tv/soloesporttv
The Royal Federation of Esport in Morocco: https://frmje.ma/
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Please subscribe to our podcast wherever you are listening to this episode.
Leave us a rating and a review if you like our content for others to discover what we are doing.
And tell your friends!
CONNECT WITH US ELSEWHERE:
Visit our website at https://www.gamerschangelivespodcast.com/  to learn more about our program, our blog, and sign up for our emails to be notified of upcoming episodes.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GamersChangeLives
Twitter: https://twitter.com/thegclpodcast
PRODUCTION:
Creator and host: Tom Leonard (USA) - https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomeleonard/
Producer: Reginald Nsowah (Ghana) - https://www.linkedin.com/in/reginald-nsowah-09352929/ 
ABOUT THE SHOW:
Play Games. Create Jobs. Change Lives.
This is a show about how to build an esports business from literally anywhere in the world where each week we showcase the journey of esports entrepreneurs and others to learn how they solved a particular problem that everyone will ultimately face.
In Season Two our theme is “Follow the Money”.
I am your host, Tom Leonard. I have a background in entertainment marketing. After working with many amazing esports entrepreneurs from emerging markets, they inspired me to create a show to tell their stories so that others can be motivated to create their own esports business. Gaming and esports can create jobs tackling the problem of global youth unemployment. Creating jobs from playing games. What could be better than that?
Thanks for listening to The Gamers Change Lives Podcast!

Connecting Brands with Gen Z Through Esports

Our guest is Tushaar Garg from India. He is the Founder and CEO @StreamO as well as the Founder and CEO of Irony Esports.
Our discussion included:
Tushaar talks about how large the market is in India, for those playing and those watching video games. Note: it is huge!
From his beginning as a championship tennis player, Tushaar worked in traditional sports with the IPL – the Indian Premier League Cricket. When the pandemic hit, he decided to become an entrepreneur and to explore what the opportunities in esports would bring.
There are a lot of similarities – and differences – between traditional sport and esports. Tushaar describes how esports can learn from sports in how to become better at monetization.
Tushaar founded, and is now the CEO of StreamO, India’s first livestream sponsorship marketplace. They work at the intersection of the passion economy, live streaming, video gaming, and superfans.
As we learn, the younger audience today is consuming live-streaming entertainment content which is more intimate and engaging. As he points out, ‘Strangers are our new best friends’.
StreamO focuses on opening opportunities for brands to access Gen Z, which can be notoriously difficult. In India, Gen Z makes up 27% of the population with a total of over 375 million individuals. 200 million of that group are active on YouTube.
YouTube Is the biggest gaming platform, with some competition from Twitch and Facebook Gaming playing catch up.
Tushaar and the group at StreamO have a twin-fold solution. First creating an opportunity for content creators to earn 10x to 20x that being paid out by Google. And second working with brands who want to attract the Gen Z audience. They realize that communicating with Gen Z needs a very different approach.
They bring their 5,000+ creators and 100 million subscribers to many of the largest global brands. This is especially powerful as many brands are interested in the huge Indian market, but do not always know the best way to enter.
For content creators, StreamO creates a community for them to learn from each other, providing a model of user generated content and networking.
For brands there are four types of gaming which includes competitive gaming (esports). He is especially proud of their work with Intel Gamer Day.
What are brands looking for? He explains that in addition to a basic understanding of the industry, they want to know more about gaming, talent, and tournaments. The brands are also looking for ways to create content in the vernacular – allowing them to reach a much wider audience in a society with so many different languages.
Tushaar and his team launched Stranger Things for Netflix in India. As he describes it, “We got so many messages from young people who just want to show their parents that playing video games is not a waste of time. And that they can actually make money from a brand like Netflix.”
We wrap up the conversation with Tushaar explaining his answer to the question of whether the Olympics should include esports in their program.
 
Episode Webpage: https://www.gamerschangelivespodcast.com/connecting-brands-with-gen-z-through-esports-with-tushaar-garg
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FEATURED IN THIS EPISDOE:
Tushaar Garg is the Founder CEO of StreamO, an award-winning creator economy start-up that connects brands with the notoriously hard to reach Gen Z audiences via a new breed of creators (half-athlete - half influencer) who specifically livestream long-form video content to their loyal fans and friends across YouTube Live and Twitch.
StreamO’s clients include Netflix, Amazon Prime, MX Player, One Plus, Crocs, Fastrack, Sony Play Station, Intel, Spotify, and Dell Alienware amongst others.
Previously, Tushaar has been involved with market-maker start-ups in India that have become benchmarks in their respective fields.
In Cricket, he was involved as a founding member in the conceptualization and commercialization of the Indian Premier League (IPL). Tushaar also commercialized India's only ATP Tennis event, and India's first fashion event - the Lakme Fashion Week.
In digital health, he led growth for Stepathlon, an award winning global “Virtual Race” platform that combines social participation, health and wellness to engage both sports fan communities and corporate employees with an inclusive engagement, mass participation and well-being experience.
In esports, Tushaar led monetization for U Cypher - India’s first esports league made-for-TV. He also grew the U Mumba Kabaddi franchise into a multi-sport IP with teams in esports, football, volleyball, and table-tennis.
He is a Tennis Player, Tri-athlete, Trekker and a FIFA Masters and Shri Ram College of Commerce alum.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tushaar-garg-07954613/
StreamO: https://www.streamo.media/
*  *  *
Please subscribe to our podcast wherever you are listening to this episode.
Leave us a rating and a review if you like our content for others to discover what we are doing.
And tell your friends!
CONNECT WITH US ELSEWHERE:
Visit our website at https://www.gamerschangelivespodcast.com/  to learn more about our program, our blog, and sign up for our emails to be notified of upcoming episodes.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GamersChangeLives
Twitter: https://twitter.com/thegclpodcast
PRODUCTION:
Creator and host: Tom Leonard (USA) - https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomeleonard/
Producer: Reginald Nsowah (Ghana) - https://www.linkedin.com/in/reginald-nsowah-09352929/ 
ABOUT THE SHOW:
Play Games. Create Jobs. Change Lives.
This is a show about how to build an esports business from literally anywhere in the world where each week we showcase the journey of esports entrepreneurs and others to learn how they solved a particular problem that everyone will ultimately face.
In Season Two our theme is “Follow the Money”.
I am your host, Tom Leonard. I have a background in entertainment marketing. After working with many amazing esports entrepreneurs from emerging markets, they inspired me to create a show to tell their stories so that others can be motivated to create their own esports business. Gaming and esports can create jobs tackling the problem of global youth unemployment. Creating jobs from playing games. What could be better than that?
Thanks for listening to The Gamers Change Lives Podcast!

Esports Growth Strategies, Education, and Events

Our guest is Frank Sliwka, Global Esports, Gaming & Digital Entertainment Opinion Leader, Keynote Speaker, COO, and Hon. Professor from Singapore.
Our discussion included:
Frank’s introduction to esports while watching the excitement of gamers, bringing them to one of the largest consumer electronics shows in Europe.
“I saw these kids playing competitive gaming – what are they doing? It’s so fantastic what they are doing. If I bring them to this show (the consumer electronics show), then I have the games industry.”
The impact of gaming on the PC industry as a whole.
Advice on how someone interested in turning their passion for esports into a business:
Solid business plan
Proven market for your business through research
Get real world experience in existing, bigger esports companies or brands that are working in esports, that is a good way to learn
Support the community of esports
The value of community in esports and especially for esports entrepreneurs.
The difference between gaming and traditional sports.
“If you have a broadcast on a traditional TV platform, you have 1 out of 10 viewers who watch golf play golf. If you have games, you have a huge difference, it’s 10 out of 10. So, what we know if that everyone who is watching games is playing games. And everyone who is playing games is watch games.”
Growth strategies and how it depends on what sector of esports you are in.
The value of education. Educating brands and parents.
“In core gaming there may be a lack of knowledge. That is why education is important. “
The importance of bringing in outside talent to esports and gaming.
The role of government in various countries in developing esports.
And as always, a conversation on the variety of job opportunities that are a part of the esports industry.
Frank talks about the importance of data: how to acquire it and how to use it.
Events: They are important for all esports entrepreneurs, and those wanting to join the industry.
Tips on networking in the industry. “If there is not an event in your region, create one.”
How mobile is changing esports, particularly in the region of Southeast Asia.
Should the Olympics include esports in their official program?
Episode Webpage: https://www.gamerschangelivespodcast.com/esports-growth-strategies-education-and-events-with-frank-sliwka
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FEATURED IN THIS EPISDOE:
Frank A. Sliwka: A highly innovative and resilient global business leader with deep digital entertainment, games & esports industry expertise, gained from over 25 years’ building successful businesses and winning teams around entertainment properties.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/franksliwka/
Epulze: https://epulze.com/
*  *  *
Please subscribe to our podcast wherever you are listening to this episode.
Leave us a rating and a review if you like our content for others to discover what we are doing.
And tell your friends!
CONNECT WITH US ELSEWHERE:
Visit our website at https://www.gamerschangelivespodcast.com/  to learn more about our program, our blog, and sign up for our emails to be notified of upcoming episodes.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GamersChangeLives
Twitter: https://twitter.com/thegclpodcast
PRODUCTION:
Creator and host: Tom Leonard (USA) - https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomeleonard/
Producer: Reginald Nsowah (Ghana) - https://www.linkedin.com/in/reginald-nsowah-09352929/ 
ABOUT THE SHOW:
Play Games. Create Jobs. Change Lives.
This is a show about how to build an esports business from literally anywhere in the world where each week we showcase the journey of esports entrepreneurs and others to learn how they solved a particular problem that everyone will ultimately face.
In Season Two our theme is “Follow the Money”.
I am your host, Tom Leonard. I have a background in entertainment marketing. After working with many amazing esports entrepreneurs from emerging markets, they inspired me to create a show to tell their stories so that others can be motivated to create their own esports business. Gaming and esports can create jobs tackling the problem of global youth unemployment. Creating jobs from playing games. What could be better than that?
Thanks for listening to The Gamers Change Lives Podcast!

Creating the Ultimate Venue for Games Culture

Our guest is Jon Satterley from Melbourne Australia. He is CEO & Co-Founder at Fortress Australia.
Our discussion included:
How a passion for heavy metal music and the world of entertainment led to the creation of a cathedral to games culture.
Jon’s career spanning music, entertainment, and video games, including the value of spending 3 years cleaning toilets.
How Jon took his experience as Chief Digital Officer at Village Roadshow to work on creating his games culture enterprise. And decided to create his own opportunity to include his passions in life.
How the arcade experience from the 1980’s could be brought back to life in a modern setting.
Creating Fortress Australia - ‘We are Australia’s number one games culture company.’
Why can’t esports support a venue on its own?
First, the role of the publishers who constrain an organization to scale to a massive size.
Second, the limitations of size for most markets, including Australia.
And third, you have a business model that is at the whims of players that you have little control over. That makes it hard to find investors.
The role of publishers in creating a gaming venue – how to make it work for both parties.
Other sources of revenue that are necessary to make it all work, especially with significant investors.
“We build cathedrals for gamers.” And epic, awe-inspiring, jaw-dropping, walk in and have your head torn off.  People are immersed in their culture. And so, they spend money.
The cost of creating venues of this proportion.
The future of Fortress Australia.
How to draft off of other events, both local and international.
The Olympics – should they include esports in their official program?
How traditional sports impact the approach to esports.
Episode Webpage: https://www.gamerschangelivespodcast.com/creating-the-ultimate-venue-for-games-culture-with-jon-satterley
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FEATURED IN THIS EPISDOE:
Jon has been part of the entertainment industry for 30+ years, managing bands, building record companies, creating strategies for theme parks, and advising cinemas and distribution companies at the most senior level. Jon established Roadrunner Records in Australia (the world's biggest metal record company) in the nineties and was subsequently promoted to Senior VP of Digital and moved to NYC for 5 years as part of the Warner Music Group.
In 2018 Jon decided that gaming - his life passion (well…. that and metal) - was the place he wanted to be. Jon partnered with Adrian Giles, a renowned tech entrepreneur, to found Fortress Australia…with the aim to create the ultimate "Home of Games". Fortress is now Australia's #1 games culture company.
Jon holds a BA/LLB (Hons) from Uni of Melb and an MBA from Melbourne Business School.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/satterley
Email:  jon@fortressesports.com
Website: https://www.fortressmelbourne.com
*  *  *
Please subscribe to our podcast wherever you are listening to this episode.
Leave us a rating and a review if you like our content for others to discover what we are doing.
And tell your friends!
CONNECT WITH US ELSEWHERE:
Visit our website at https://www.gamerschangelivespodcast.com/  to learn more about our program, our blog, and sign up for our emails to be notified of upcoming episodes.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GamersChangeLives
Twitter: https://twitter.com/thegclpodcast
PRODUCTION:
Creator and host: Tom Leonard (USA) - https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomeleonard/
Producer: Reginald Nsowah (Ghana) - https://www.linkedin.com/in/reginald-nsowah-09352929/ 
ABOUT THE SHOW:
Play Games. Create Jobs. Change Lives.
This is a show about how to build an esports business from literally anywhere in the world where each week we showcase the journey of esports entrepreneurs and others to learn how they solved a particular problem that everyone will ultimately face.
In Season Two our theme is “Follow the Money”.
I am your host, Tom Leonard. I have a background in entertainment marketing. After working with many amazing esports entrepreneurs from emerging markets, they inspired me to create a show to tell their stories so that others can be motivated to create their own esports business. Gaming and esports can create jobs tackling the problem of global youth unemployment. Creating jobs from playing games. What could be better than that?
Thanks for listening to The Gamers Change Lives Podcast!

A Deep Dive into Esports Sponsorship

Our guest is Malph Minns from the UK. He is Managing Director at Strive Sponsorship.
Our discussion included:
The difference between esports sponsorship and that of traditional sports and other entertainment industries based on Malph’ s extensive experience over the years.
The importance of knowing your industry, knowing your audience, knowing your fan base.
Is there such a thing as a typical esports sponsor?
The value of the industry information provided on the Strive Sponsorship website at: https://strivesponsorship.com/insights/
The benefits and limitations of bringing staff from traditional sport into esports.
How to reach a female audience – and it isn’t by just creating an all-female team.
The difference between ‘rights holders’ and ‘brands’.
How esports is actually an entertainment product.
Advertising vs. sponsorship: what are the differences, and where the largest budgets are held.
The value of understanding the role agencies play in securing advertising and sponsorship revenues.
And the best part of the discussion:
What’s the best way to find a sponsor? Malph details the process including what the best approach is to land a successful deal.
The importance of understanding budgeting cycles.
Should the Olympics include esports? Listen to how Malph and his organization worked with Team Scotland on the recent Commonwealth Games experience.
 
Episode Webpage: https://www.gamerschangelivespodcast.com/a-deep-dive-into-esports-sponsorship-with-malph-minns
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FEATURED IN THIS EPISDOE:
Malph has over 19 years of experience working with brands, commercial rights holders (teams, leagues, federations, broadcasters, etc.), agencies, and investors.
He has advised global brands, including Sky, Team Sky, Guinness, British Airways, 21st Century Fox, Jaguar Land Rover, Gatorade, Oakley, Wiggle, AEG (The O2 & Wembley Arena), Ordnance Survey, and 888.com on their sport, film, esports and entertainment marketing and commercial strategies.
Esports clients have included BT, Coutts Private Bank, World Rugby, the ECB, SailGP, Badminton World Federation, GAME, Belong Gaming Arenas, Insomnia Gaming Festival, Fortress Melbourne, and Esports Scotland. He also delivered esports insight to the Premier League before the launch of the ePL and advises Venture Capital and Private Equity funds on the deployment of capital into sports, esports, and gaming.
Malph is frequently invited to speak about esports on industry event panels and interviewed by the media. He tries to share insight rather than just information.
Check out http://strivesponsorship.com/insights/ for the latest podcasts, interviews & insights.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/malphminns/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/strive-sponsorship
Email:  Malph@strivesponsorship.com
Website: http://strivesponsorship.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/strivesays
*  *  *
Please subscribe to our podcast wherever you are listening to this episode.
Leave us a rating and a review if you like our content for others to discover what we are doing.
And tell your friends!
CONNECT WITH US ELSEWHERE:
Visit our website at https://www.gamerschangelivespodcast.com/  to learn more about our program, our blog, and sign up for our emails to be notified of upcoming episodes.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GamersChangeLives
Twitter: https://twitter.com/thegclpodcast
PRODUCTION:
Creator and host: Tom Leonard (USA) - https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomeleonard/
Producer: Reginald Nsowah (Ghana) - https://www.linkedin.com/in/reginald-nsowah-09352929/ 
ABOUT THE SHOW:
Play Games. Create Jobs. Change Lives.
This is a show about how to build an esports business from literally anywhere in the world where each week we showcase the journey of esports entrepreneurs and others to learn how they solved a particular problem that everyone will ultimately face.
In Season Two our theme is “Follow the Money”.
I am your host, Tom Leonard. I have a background in entertainment marketing. After working with many amazing esports entrepreneurs from emerging markets, they inspired me to create a show to tell their stories so that others can be motivated to create their own esports business. Gaming and esports can create jobs tackling the problem of global youth unemployment. Creating jobs from playing games. What could be better than that?
Thanks for listening to The Gamers Change Lives Podcast!

Esports Investing: The Investor’s Perspective

Our guest is Dave Harris from Australia. He is Managing Director at Guinevere Capital. He is also an Investor and former Chairman of EXCEL Esports and a Founding Partner at League of Legends Circuit Oceania.
Our discussion included:
How investing in esports works, including ways for a person seeking investment can have the best chance of securing that all important deal.
Dave’s start in esports coming from a traditional sports background
The very beginning of Guinevere Capital
An overview of esports in Australia: “One of our challenges has always been our geographical isolation, we’re just too far away. Stuck in a small player base.”
A description of the VC and investment ecosystem
Mobile opportunities (of lack of them) in esports in Australia and the world
The Investment process:
Networking: “First thing is to network. Getting to know ‘important’ people, people who are important for what it is that you want to achieve.”
The importance of introductions
The investment timeframe: “My advice is to everyone is that everything takes longer than you planned. Make sure you have plenty of runway.”
Do you need to be making money if you are seeking investment?
What does an investor provide in addition to writing a check
Synergy between investments in an investor’s portfolio
The role of the publishers in esports and how it impacts investing
The story of the start of EXCEL Esports
The growing influence of investment from the Middle East on esports
Should the Olympics include esports? (Hear what Vincent Pereira from the International Olympic Committee told the group at Next World)
 
Episode Webpage: https://www.gamerschangelivespodcast.com/esports-investing-the-investors-perspective-with-dave-harris
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FEATURED IN THIS EPISDOE:
Dave Harris possesses over 20 years’ experience across top international sports & esports organisations including International & Domestic Cricket, English Premier League and Football League Clubs and his last traditional sports role as General Manager, National Rugby League in Australia.  He has worked at Boston Consulting Group and holds an MBA from Oxford University.  He is a member of Young Presidents Organisation (YPO) and a Graduate of Australian Institute of Company Directors.  Dave has invested in & at times led esports projects including League of Legends Circuit Oceania (LCO), Skybox.gg, Excel Esports and Esports High Performance Centres.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daharris1/
Email:  dharris@guineverecapital
Website: http://www.xl.gg
Twitter: https://twitter.com/daveharrisAUS
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/harry_wow/
*  *  *
Please subscribe to our podcast wherever you are listening to this episode.
Leave us a rating and a review if you like our content for others to discover what we are doing.
And tell your friends!
CONNECT WITH US ELSEWHERE:
Visit our website at https://www.gamerschangelivespodcast.com/  to learn more about our program, our blog, and sign up for our emails to be notified of upcoming episodes.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GamersChangeLives
Twitter: https://twitter.com/thegclpodcast
PRODUCTION:
Creator and host: Tom Leonard (USA) - https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomeleonard/
Producer: Reginald Nsowah (Ghana) - https://www.linkedin.com/in/reginald-nsowah-09352929/ 
ABOUT THE SHOW:
Play Games. Create Jobs. Change Lives.
This is a show about how to build an esports business from literally anywhere in the world where each week we showcase the journey of esports entrepreneurs and others to learn how they solved a particular problem that everyone will ultimately face.
In Season Two our theme is “Follow the Money”.
I am your host, Tom Leonard. I have a background in entertainment marketing. After working with many amazing esports entrepreneurs from emerging markets, they inspired me to create a show to tell their stories so that others can be motivated to create their own esports business. Gaming and esports can create jobs tackling the problem of global youth unemployment. Creating jobs from playing games. What could be better than that?
Thanks for listening to The Gamers Change Lives Podcast!

The Business Side of Streaming and Esports Events

Our guest is Christian Bishop, Director of Twitch Properties - Gaming & Esports.
Our discussion included:
Christian’s esports journey from venues, esports arenas, production companies, tournaments/leagues, teams and now on the platform side. “Going through the grind.”
In Person Esports Events - TwitchCon
Revenue streams from in person events:
The difference between TwitchCon and other events
The 5 top sources of revenue
The most important revenue driver: “It’s the people”
Relevance, relevance, relevance
The value of media rights
Should every live event be online?
Sponsors and partners:
The hard work needed to land and keep sponsors and partners
The value of networking and going to as many events as possible
What if brands (endemic) only want to give you product?
Using sponsorship platforms like Sponsor United - https://sponsorunited.com/
How relevance impacts sponsorship
Brand Managers:
What are sponsors of live events looking for?
The value of having an “angle”
How underserved markets can be the best opportunity
On-line Esports Events – Twitch Rivals
What is Twitch Rivals?
8 revenue streams for online events
The value in moving away from sponsorship to monetizing your audience directly
How should a content creator promote their own content?
Tips for building out your audience
Using new features on platforms to get the most attention
Christian’s journey on becoming a streamer himself – “It’s hard work!”
Upcoming changes to the streaming world
How much can a streamer expect to earn? The answer is, it depends.
Twitch and emerging markets
Olympics
Should the Olympics include esports in their program?
Closing comments
Brands need to know about gaming and esports
Gamers are moving into positions of power
Legacy sports impact on esports
Episode Webpage: https://www.gamerschangelivespodcast.com/the-business-side-of-streaming-and-esports-events-with-christian-bishop
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FEATURED IN THIS EPISDOE:
Christian Bishop is the Director of Twitch Properties - Gaming & Esports. He is a passionate lifelong gamer that is committed to building the esport community.His past experience includes Chief Revenue Officer of Method, Commissioner at Estars Studios, President of Business Development at Thunder Gaming, and many more positions working including working on the production of entertainment content.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrchristianbishop/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/bishopchristian
Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/
*  *  *
Please subscribe to our podcast wherever you are listening to this episode.
Leave us a rating and a review if you like our content for others to discover what we are doing.
And tell your friends!
CONNECT WITH US ELSEWHERE:
Visit our website at https://www.gamerschangelivespodcast.com/  to learn more about our program, our blog, and sign up for our emails to be notified of upcoming episodes.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GamersChangeLives
Twitter: https://twitter.com/thegclpodcast
PRODUCTION:
Creator and host: Tom Leonard (USA) - https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomeleonard/
Producer: Reginald Nsowah (Ghana) - https://www.linkedin.com/in/reginald-nsowah-09352929/ 
ABOUT THE SHOW:
Play Games. Create Jobs. Change Lives.
This is a show about how to build an esports business from literally anywhere in the world where each week we showcase the journey of esports entrepreneurs and others to learn how they solved a particular problem that everyone will ultimately face.
In Season Two our theme is “Follow the Money”.
I am your host, Tom Leonard. I have a background in entertainment marketing. After working with many amazing esports entrepreneurs from emerging markets, they inspired me to create a show to tell their stories so that others can be motivated to create their own esports business. Gaming and esports can create jobs tackling the problem of global youth unemployment. Creating jobs from playing games. What could be better than that?
Thanks for listening to The Gamers Change Lives Podcast!

Esports Venues, Festivals, and Innovative Partnerships with Sidick Bakayoko

Sidick Bakayoko from Côte d'Ivoire is the Founder and CEO at Paradise Game.
Our discussion included:
Sidick’s background including how he learned that being number one in a startup is a lot different than being #2 or #3.
Paradise Game
Paradise Game's mandate is to entertain, educate and empower young Africans through video games and esports.
How FEJA: Electronical and Video Games Festival of Abidjan began
Content creation as an extension of FEJA
The value of starting out with a small event to gain experience and build credibility in the industry
Recruiting partners for Paradise Game, including some that did not pay but added tremendous value
Realistic time frames for developing live events
Ed-tech Facilities
How esports venues were developed to become training centers
Working with commercial real estate developers to get the best deal for space
Working through the challenges of having many people tell you that that is not going to work
Content Creation
“In order for us to create the future we need to figure out a way to put it in front of people”
How creating a TV show created jobs and changed lives
The challenge of getting an audience for an entire event, and not just the championship
Sponsorship
How to recruit big brands to your project
How Sidick landed a deal with Orange Telecom – one of the largest in Africa
Explaining esports to brands not familiar with the industry
Expected time frames for landing sponsorship deals
What some of the top industries are who sponsor esports in Africa
Branded Pre-paid Cards
Why Paradise Game decided to enter the world of fin-tech
How the pre-paid card can unlock the gaming market
How Sidick was able to have interns from the Stanford Seed program join his team
Mobile
Is mobile the future of esports in Africa?
Olympics
Should the Olympics include esports?
 
Episode Webpage: https://www.gamerschangelivespodcast.com/esports-venues-festivals-and-innovative-partnerships-with-sidick-bakayoko
*  *  *
FEATURED IN THIS EPISDOE:
Mr Sidick BAKAYOKO is a technology professional with more than 15 years of experience in the areas of marketing and product development of technology solutions.
Sidick is the Founder and CEO of Paradise Game, an Ivorian company that intends to Entertain, Educate and Empower young Africans. Paradise Game’s vision is to engage and influence 200 million young Africans using video games.
Earlier in his career, He led the sales and marketing efforts of mobile value-added service provider DIGITAL AFRIQUE TELECOM (DAT) in 27 African countries, delivering several challenging multimillion-dollar projects from start to finish.
He also led the marketing efforts of the revolutionary mobile application ClickOVA alongside SCANBUY founder Olivier Attia in New York city. The application was in 2007, an innovation in the space for seamlessly backing up contacts, pictures, and videos over wireless networks.
He holds an Electronics and Computer Engineering Degree from the New York Institute of Technology in the USA and participated in the Stanford University SEED program.
Twitter: https://twitter.com/sbakayoko
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paradisegame_/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ParadiseGame.net
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ParadiseGame
Discord: https://discord.com/invite/SWnTRfubw7
Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/paradisegame_
Paradise Game: https://paradisegame.net/home
Stanford Seed: https://www.gsb.stanford.edu/seed
*  *  *
Please subscribe to our podcast wherever you are listening to this episode.
Leave us a rating and a review if you like our content for others to discover what we are doing.
And tell your friends!
CONNECT WITH US ELSEWHERE:
Visit our website at https://www.gamerschangelivespodcast.com/  to learn more about our program, our blog, and sign up for our emails to be notified of upcoming episodes.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GamersChangeLives
Twitter: https://twitter.com/thegclpodcast
PRODUCTION:
Creator and host: Tom Leonard (USA) - https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomeleonard/
Producer: Reginald Nsowah (Ghana) - https://www.linkedin.com/in/reginald-nsowah-09352929/ 
ABOUT THE SHOW:
Play Games. Create Jobs. Change Lives.
This is a show about how to build an esports business from literally anywhere in the world where each week we showcase the journey of esports entrepreneurs and others to learn how they solved a particular problem that everyone will ultimately face.
In Season Two our theme is “Follow the Money”.
I am your host, Tom Leonard. I have a background in entertainment marketing. After working with many amazing esports entrepreneurs from emerging markets, they inspired me to create a show to tell their stories so that others can be motivated to create their own esports business. Gaming and esports can create jobs tackling the problem of global youth unemployment. Creating jobs from playing games. What could be better than that?
Thanks for listening to The Gamers Change Lives Podcast!
 

Esports Sponsorship, Investment, and Merchandising

Our guests are Trev Keane, Director Esports Strategy: EPIC Global and Advisor/Judge at Stadia Ventures, and Cholwe Shabukali, Co- Founder and Managing Director at Team Gematrix and a Zambian Esports Pioneer.
Our discussion includes:
Cholwe’s background including how being selected for an accelerator program at BongoHive started her on turning a passion into a business.
Trev’s background recalling how “games were part of our lives” as he grew up in Ireland.
Sponsorship
Cultural barriers impacting women in Africa joining the esports industry
“How do you eat an elephant?”
What is a “challenger brand” and a “hero brand” in sponsorship?
Discovering where the brands are on their esports journey
The value of working with sponsorship agencies
Sponsorship Timeframe
What does the typical timeframe look like for a sponsorship deal?
Be patient: “Your urgency is not their urgency”
Understanding brand budgeting cycles
Investment
What sources of investment are most common in Europe and Africa
The number one piece of advice: “Understand your value”
Investigate accelerators in your market for business advice as well as for potential investors
Understand your community and bring that awareness to potential investors
Merchandising
How to develop a merchandising plan with the right objectives: fun and value
Community driven input in your merchandising program
Last words
Trev: “Think long term.”
Cholwe: “Be aggressively patient.”
 
Episode Webpage: https://www.gamerschangelivespodcast.com/esports-sponsorship-investment-and-merchandising-with-cholwe-shabukali-and-trev-keane
*  *  *
FEATURED IN THIS EPISDOE:
Trev Keane, Director Esports Strategy: EPIC Global and Advisor/Judge at Stadia Ventures.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trevkeane/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/trevkeane
EPIC Global: https://www.linkedin.com/company/epic-global-agency-esports-gaming/
Stadia Ventures: http://www.stadiaventures.com/
Cholwe Shabukali is co-owner and managing director of Team Gematrix, Zambia's pioneer esports organization, her organization has a record of multiple sub-Saharan African championships and presence across 3 continents.
She was listed as the top 100 game changers by unreal engine in 2020. She is also the current interim Secretary General for the Esports Federation of Zambia.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cholwe-shabukali-26b780143/
Team Gematrix: https://gematrix.co/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Elen_Cholwe
BongoHive: https://bongohive.co.zm/
*  *  *
Please subscribe to our podcast wherever you are listening to this episode.
Leave us a rating and a review if you like our content for others to discover what we are doing.
And tell your friends!
CONNECT WITH US ELSEWHERE:
Visit our website at https://www.gamerschangelivespodcast.com/  to learn more about our program, our blog, and sign up for our emails to be notified of upcoming episodes.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GamersChangeLives
Twitter: https://twitter.com/thegclpodcast
PRODUCTION:
Creator and host: Tom Leonard (USA) - https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomeleonard/
Producer: Reginald Nsowah (Ghana) - https://www.linkedin.com/in/reginald-nsowah-09352929/ 
ABOUT THE SHOW:
Play Games. Create Jobs. Change Lives.
This is a show about how to build an esports business from literally anywhere in the world where each week we showcase the journey of esports entrepreneurs and others to learn how they solved a particular problem that everyone will ultimately face.
In Season Two our theme is “Follow the Money”.
I am your host, Tom Leonard. I have a background in entertainment marketing. After working with many amazing esports entrepreneurs from emerging markets, they inspired me to create a show to tell their stories so that others can be motivated to create their own esports business. Gaming and esports can create jobs tackling the problem of global youth unemployment. Creating jobs from playing games. What could be better than that?
Thanks for listening to The Gamers Change Lives Podcast!
 

Recruiting and Managing Esports Sponsors

Today’s guests is Luca Tucconi from Cape Town, South Africa. He is the National Gaming & Esports Specialist at Red Bull. Before that he founded ORENA, South Africa's Premier Esports Tournament & Events Agency.
Our discussion included:
Luca’s background including how he saw a void in the local tournament scene in South Africa and decided to fill it.
Red Bull South Africa:
Where esports fits into the company marketing strategy
How esports athletes are treated the same as traditional sports athletes
Sponsorship:
What role does sponsorship play in esports?
The lack of understanding of what individuals can truly offer to a brand
The first question an esports streamer or team looking for sponsorship should ask themselves
The importance of building a consistent foundation
The best strategy for someone starting out
Managing expectations
What are brands looking for and how do they measure success?
Platforms:
What gaming and esports platforms are the most popular in South Africa and Africa as a whole?
What social media platforms should a content creator should use?
Traditional Sports Comparisons:
What are the benefits of a league structure in esports
The role of ‘celebrity’ streamers
The growing role of gamers in the business world
The African Continent:
How can esports benefit the entire continent?
Servers, always servers
Mobile:
How does mobile fit into African esports?
What is the impact on sponsorship?
Olympics:
Should the Olympics include esports in their official program?
The issue of perceived violence in some games
Plus, the most surprising esports sponsors he has discovered
 
Episode Webpage: https://www.gamerschangelivespodcast.com/recruiting-and-managing-esports-sponsors-with-luca-tucconi
*  *  *
FEATURED IN THIS EPISDOE:
Luca Tucconi is the National Gaming & Esports Specialist at Red Bull, South Africa, joining in 2018. Before that he was the Founder of Orena, South Africa's Premier Esports Tournament & Events Agency. He is in Cape Town, South Africa.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucatucconi/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/lucatucconi   
*  *  *
Please subscribe to our podcast wherever you are listening to this episode.
Leave us a rating and a review if you like our content for others to discover what we are doing.
And tell your friends!
CONNECT WITH US ELSEWHERE:
Visit our website at https://www.gamerschangelivespodcast.com/  to learn more about our program, our blog, and sign up for our emails to be notified of upcoming episodes.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GamersChangeLives
Twitter: https://twitter.com/thegclpodcast
PRODUCTION:
Creator and host: Tom Leonard (USA) - https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomeleonard/
Producer: Reginal Nsowah (Ghana) - https://www.linkedin.com/in/reginald-nsowah-09352929/ 
ABOUT THE SHOW:
Play Games. Create Jobs. Change Lives.
This is a show about how to build an esports business from literally anywhere in the world where each week we showcase the journey of esports entrepreneurs and others to learn how they solved a particular problem that everyone will ultimately face.
In Season Two our theme is “Follow the Money”.
I am your host, Tom Leonard. I have a background in entertainment marketing. After working with many amazing esports entrepreneurs from emerging markets, they inspired me to create a show to tell their stories so that others can be motivated to create their own esports business. Gaming and esports can create jobs tackling the problem of global youth unemployment. Creating jobs from playing games. What could be better than that?
Thanks for listening to The Gamers Change Lives Podcast!