Esports

Esports movers and shakers: November 2020


Keeping track of the esports industry’s key personnel changes can be an arduous task. That’s why each month, Esports Insider rounds up all the industry’s movers and shakers, compiling them into a single article so you can stay up to date — and save time. 

 

Below is a brief summary of all the key esports personnel changes from November 2020.

ReKTGlobal appoints Brad Sive as Chief Revenue Officer and Hannah Reid as Chief People Officer

Hannah Reid ReKTGlobal
Credit: ReKTGlobal

ReKTGlobal — the esports company with ambitions of becoming a unicorn (worth at least $1 billion) — last month appointed Brad Sive as its Chief Revenue Officer, as well as Hannah Reid as its Chief People Officer.

Sive, who previously worked for TSM in the same role, will spearhead strategic planning and marketing amongst other things, and will develop a dedicated sales team. Reid, formerly of Gary Vaynerchuk’s communications company VaynerX, will be responsible for the design and implementation of human resources infrastructure and initiatives.

ReKTGlobal owns two spots in franchised esports leagues: one in the Call of Duty League via the London Royal Ravens and one in the League of Legends European Championship (LEC) via esports organisation Rogue. The company recently raised $35m (£26.9m) from private equity firm Summit Partners in October.

Mike Milanov promoted to Chief Business Development Officer at Team Liquid 

Milanov
Credit: Mike Milanov’s Twitter

North American organisation Team Liquid last month appointed Mike Milanov as its Chief Business Development Officer. Milanov previously worked as the org’s Director of Operations in 2015 and then Chief Operating Officer soon thereafter.

In his new role, Milanov plans to instigate ‘innovative and bold initiatives to further Liquid’s impact in the industry’. Before his career in business, Milanov was a professional World of Warcraft player.

Guild Esports appoints Grant Rousseau Director of Esports, Thorin enters consulting agreement with the org

Guild Esports has appointed Grant Rousseau, formerly of Excel Esports, OverActive Media Group, and Splyce, as its Director of Esports. Rousseau highlighted Guild’s vision for improving UK esports through its academy system, stating it as the key reason he decided to join.

The company also brought in long-time esports journalist Duncan ‘Thorin’ Shields to oversee its procurement of a Counter Strike: Global Offensive team. Thorin has been covering the CS:GO scene for many years, and has been tasked with forming a ‘top-level’ team at Guild.

The Story Mob hires Karen Ward as Director of Communications in Europe

Karen Ward The Story Mob
Credit: The Story Mob

Esports communications consultancy The Story Mob last month opened its new European headquarters in London, appointing Karen Ward as its Director of Communications in the region.

The company boasts an impressive portfolio of clients and projects, including overseeing the communications of BITKRAFT Esports Ventures as well as Team Liquid’s collaboration with Alienware. Ward previously worked for Activision. 

Adam Hobbs named Houston Outlaws Executive Director of Marketing and Branding

Adam Hobbs, formerly Head of Marketing at Counter Logic Gaming, has been appointed as Houston Outlaws Executive Director of Marketing and Branding.

“Adam brings the perfect combination of esports and entertainment marketing leadership to the Outlaws as we poise our organisation for fan and audience growth in 2021,” commented Lori Burgess, Beasley Esports Chief Operating Officer (Beasley Media Group is CLG’s parent company).

WePlay Esports announces Oleh Humeniuk as CEO

WePlay Esports announced in November that Oleh Humeniuk will be the company’s CEO, after previously holding the position of European General Manager. Former General Producer Maksym Bilonogov was also appointed Chief Visionary Officer.

The news came before WePlay’s parent company TECHIIA Holding announced it had merged the operations of WP Merchandise and FS Holding (creator of the FragStore chain), marking a period of broad restructuring and growth for the company.

Gscience enlists rugby union performance coach Jason Cowman to lead esports academy

Credit: Gscience

Esports health and performance firm Gscience has named Jason Cowman, the current Head of Athletic Development for Ireland’s rugby union team (IRFU), as its Scientific Advisor.

Cowman will assist with the continued development of Optimal, an esports-athlete monitoring system, whilst also leading the Gscience Coaching Academy.

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