Disclaimer: Esports Insider is a media partner of Esports BAR.
Esports BAR Cannes returns again in February, and the organisers, Reed MIDEM, have big plans for it yet again. With events in 2019 across Miami, Seoul and Cannes, we spoke to Stéphane Gambetta, Reed MIDEM development director to find out more about what delegates can expect at the 5th iteration of Esports BAR.
ESI: Esports Bar Cannes is back again this year – what changes have been made to the event compared to previous years for delegates to look forward to?
SG: Since the 1st edition, the event has grown substantially with shows in Cannes but also Miami, dedicated to the US market, and a Summit day in Seoul. The next edition will be the 5th one and will take place in Cannes at Le Palais des Festivals in February.
This evolution shows how esports is gaining importance in B2B business with now, not only endemic stakeholders but also non-endemic, this makes the scope of Esports BAR much bigger.
Thanks to this greater outside reach, Esports BAR focuses more than ever on the importance of esports for entertainment to help non endemic brands and media embrace this great opportunity.
ESI: What are the key themes behind Esports BAR this year? What are the key topics you’ll look to dissect and discuss in France?
SG: Involving experts of the industry and leaders of esports with media platforms and non-endemic brands has proven to be the right mix since the first edition.
For our 5th edition, our focus on media and brands is getting stronger, as we truly believe that involving experts of the industry and leaders of esports with media platforms and non-endemic brands has proven to be the right mix since the first edition.
This goal will be achieved in three ways:
#1: A brand new Special Programme for Hosted Brands
It is important to increase brands involvement in esports, this is why we are launching a new programme: the Hosted Brands Programme. It aims at providing non-endemic brands the support they need within the esports sector and facilitate their collaboration with the entire community.
#2: The over-riding theme of the keynotes: Why Esports is the Next Stop for Entertainment?
Esports is now a central strategic objective for the media industry for it enables to reach digital natives and brings more content creation and broadcasting opportunities. It is also key for the music sector. Attention from investors is increasing this is why we decided to focus this edition on the central role that esports plays in the entertainment spectrum.
#3: A packed three-day programme of Mentoring
To bring our attendees a truly consistent support, we are implementing a packed schedule of mentoring in various formats such as round table workshops with mentors, face-to-face sessions and informal meet-up.
ESI: The Game Shaker Awards are back for another year. This year you’ve revealed an ambassador for the awards – can you tell us a little bit more about the decision and what’s changed ahead of this year?
SG: The Game Shakers Awards are gaining more and more recognition, especially for this 2nd edition. The fact that it focuses only on B2B initiatives and its strong international aura make it different from others awards of the industry. Both jury members and competitors come from all around the world.
For the first time this year, there will be an ambassador of the event, Jean Alési, the former F1 driver and founder of the esports Academy, promoting new video game talents. The Game Shakers Awards will this year achieve a greater outside reach.
ESI: What can we expect from the first keynote speakers revealed?
SG: As our regular attendees know from the past editions, we carefully curate our keynotes to make sure we give the stage only to the truly game changers and thought leaders that can share in-depth business insights on how the sector is evolving, delivering strategic points of views of the main business moves.
In Cannes we will have the chance to welcome YouTube’s Ryan Wyatt, who will discuss how he contributed to this growth and how YouTube is taking a major part in esports. Ryan’s presence as keynote at Esports BAR Cannes is really significant as he oversees both the Gaming business and the Virtual Reality business.
On stage we will also welcome NFL’s Head of Digital Production Matt Schnider and Twitch’s Head of Esports Justin Dellario discussing the promising future of NFL’s content on digital platforms.
These keynotes will take the stage together with a long line-up of strategic leaders that will demonstrate how to develop new business models around the esports phenomenon.
Disclaimer: Esports Insider is a media partner for Esports BAR.