Helping the Esports Community Thrive

The opportunities seem to be endless when it comes to esports and gaming, however, many of the experiences are still limited to a select few. Enter Martin Byerley, CEO of MountainSideGames, a company that offers comprehensive event and tournament hosting services including a venue, marketing, live broadcasting and video archival, sponsors, and more. You design your event, and they execute it. In this episode of the Future of Marketing in Esports, Rebecca welcomes Martin to discuss how he was fortunate enough to take over this company, and what makes him so passionate about bringing the experiences to others. They also talk about how he’s currently finding opportunities and other events, and what some of his current challenges are in growing the company. They also talk about what’s next for MountainSideGames, and where they’re focusing on next. Learn more about MountainSideGames: Mountainside Gaming: https://www.youtube.com/mountainsidegames https://discord.com/invite/Yvfbnwa https://www.twitch.tv/mountainsidegames Martin’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/martin-byerley-84527019a/

The world of esports can still feel like the Wild West, but as fast as it’s moving things are starting to change for the better. In this episode of The Future of Marketing in Esports, Rebecca is joined by Jake Hicks. Jake is a Lawyer and host of the Law of Esports Podcast where they break down the esports scene and legal issues that stem from this ever-evolving industry. They also talk about some of the biggest holes in the industry, and Jakes's predictions on what he sees changing in the near future. They also discuss the expectations of players when it comes to creating content and being part of the world outside of just their team and gaming. Plus they discuss the differences between traditional sports and esports, and how there can be a lot of great opportunities for overlap. However, these same players need to be aware of the risks.  If you’re interested in connecting with Jake you can find him on Twitter at:  https://mobile.twitter.com/jakehickslaw Or https://twitter.com/TheLawofEsports

Joining us today to talk about digital marketing, the importance of building an online presence, and new generations and their inherited knowledge of the digital space are Jean Marie Richarson and Ronnie Tullis.  Jean Marie is the President and CEO of iFOLIO, and she is a member of the Board of Directors at the Metro Atlanta Chamber. Jean Marie is also a speaker and a marketing solutionist.  Ronnie is the Digital Transformational Manager at iFOLIO, helping brands stand out and cut through the noise of the industry. He is an experienced marketer passionate about building genuine connections and finding opportunities to add value to the community.  In this episode, we delve into iFOLIO's creation, mission, and role in helping the gaming and esports community grow and expand. Jean Marie and Ronnie talked about their positions at the company and the importance of offering clients the proper tools for them to tell their stories.  We also talk about new generations and their access to information, their tendency to educate themselves through the internet, their entrepreneurial tendencies, and the different communities they have access to, thanks to video games.

There may still be a few people out there who view gaming in a negative light, but the list of positive outcomes far outweighs the bad in today’s world. In today’s episode of the Future of Marketing in Esports, Rebecca is joined by Peter Young, founder of the Minnesota Esports Club. What started as a student group in a high school, now is helping kids across the state connect to other games through their school and find other outlets for their passion for gaming. Peter talks about why he’s so passionate about putting gaming clubs in schools, not just across the nation but across Minnesota along with the impact he’s seen on kids. He also talks about some common misconceptions people have about gaming and why they couldn’t be more wrong. Ready to learn more and connect with Peter? Visit: https://www.minnesotaesports.org/

As more and more businesses try to find ways to get involved in the world of esports and gaming, it’s crucial they have a place that can help guide them in the right direction and help them make the connections they need.  That’s exactly what the Esports Trade Association does by helping those within the industry or looking to get involved, find a way, learn more, and connect with the individuals who can help them. Megan Van Petten, Founder of the Esports Trade Association, joins Rebecca on this episode of the Future of Marketing in Esports to talk about the ESTA, and the role it’s had within this booming industry.  They also talk about going back to live events, and what they’re hoping the future of esports will look like. To learn more about the trade association, visit: https://esta.org

What are some of the top ways brands are engaging with esports teams?  In this episode of The Future of Marketing in Esports, Rebecca is joined by Kansas City Pioneers CEO & Founder, Mark Josey.  Mark talks about his unique background in marketing and building an agency that has helped him drive the growth of the Pioneers. Plus he talks about creative ways brands are looking for content to be utilized in partnerships outside of just placing a logo on an event. Mark also gives some insider details about the Kansas City Pioneers and what is getting him excited as the world begins to open up again. Want to connect with Mark and the Pioneer. Pioneer.gg MarkJosey throughout social

We know that there are opportunities for those who love gaming to potentially take their skill level to the pros. However, what opportunities are there for those who may not want to be pro? Are there job options for them? Can they do something in a field that they love? Queue Danny Martin and Esposure. Ēsposure is the leading esports technology provider of professional esports education, production and studio services, competitive gaming experiences, and career development for the community and global enterprises. Esposure built its first facility in the Dallas area, helping students of all ages gain exposure to the world of esports, and helping to bridge the gaps between a passion for playing and job opportunities. In this episode of The Future of Marketing in Esports, Danny joins Rebecca to talk about his journey and why creating these opportunities is so important to him. They also discuss what's next for Esposure, and how he's currently working with brands including Dallas ISD. If you'd love to connect with Danny, either visit: esposure.gg or email him at dmartin {at} esposure.gg.

We all know that not all great players are great teammates. However, Kat Salazar is hoping to do something about that so the right data in the right hands, can help those players see success in all aspects of their life. weThink focuses on tracking cognitive-behavioral performance to help build skills including problem-solving, interpersonal communication, self-control, critical thinking, and many more, helping people become better players and better students. weThink works with both, traditional and esports athletes. In this episode of The Future of Marketing in Esports, Kat sits down with Rebecca to talk about her history in this field, and why she’s so passionate about helping build better teams, and more importantly, better humans on those teams. To find out more or connect with Kat, visit: Wethinkinc.us Or Email Katrina {at} wethinkinc.us

Scott Cole has the ultimate story of saying yes, taking chances, and going for what he wanted, even when it meant taking pay cuts and entering unknown territory to land his dream jobs. It all ended up paying off as Scott now has the opportunity to work with brands like ESPN, the NFL, NBA, and many more, plus work within the world of esports as a broadcaster. In this episode of The Future of Marketing in Esports, Scott joins Rebecca to talk about his journey, and where many content creators get in wrong when it comes to expectations and numbers. He also talks about how saying ‘yes’ was one of the greatest things he could do to grow his career, and why he loves being able to be in both the traditional sports world and esports. To learn more about Scott, visit: https://ScottColeShow or find him anywhere throughout social media at @ScottColeShow.

How can brands work with influencers and create win-win scenarios? It’s really about approaching the relationships in a couple of specific ways, and Phid McAwesome, Business Development Manager at GGWP Academy is joining Rebecca on this episode to talk about just that. Phid brings his experience from the gaming world to now helping brands and influencers work together to create partnerships that create a long-tail effect. He also talks about standard marketing rules, and why learning to approach them differently can create new opportunities in the world of gaming and esports. Would you like to connect with Phid? Visit: GGWPAcademy.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/PhidMcAwesome https://www.linkedin.com/in/phidmcawesome/?originalSubdomain=au