Esports Movers and Shakers: September 2021

Each month, ESI compiles the period’s most significant esports movers and shakers. September’s round-up features personnel changes from the likes of Immortals, EXCEL ESPORTS, Team Liquid and BLAST among others

Here are the key esports movers and shakers from September 2021. To read more about a story below, click the link in the corresponding title.


Spotlighted story 

Immortals Gaming Club announces promotions amid restructuring

North American esports organisation Immortals Gaming Club (IGC) has announced a series of executive promotions and changes as part of the organisation’s larger corporate reorganisation effort.

Ari Segal, Immortals’s CEO, has been promoted to Co-Managing Director of IGC, Executive Chairman of Immortals and Gamers Club, as well as non-Executive Chairman of MIBR. Moreover, Tomi Kovanen, the current COO of Immortals, has been named as Executive Vice-Chair of Immortals, MIBR and Gamers Club, as well as IGC’s Co-Managing Director.


EXCEL ESPORTS appoints Oskar Sisi as Creative Director

EXCEL ESPORTS
Image credit: EXCEL ESPORTS

British esports organisation EXCEL ESPORTS has appointed Oskar Sisi, formerly of Fnatic, as its Creative Director.

In his new role, Sisi will be responsible for leading the organisation’s new Brand and Creative department. This includes overseeing brand campaigns to better utilise EXCEL’s ‘Power of Better’ manifesto.


TimTheTatman joins Complexity Gaming as part owner

TimTheTatman Complexity
Image credit: Gamesquare, Complexity Gaming

North American esports organisation Complexity Gaming announced that Timothy Betar, aka TimTheTatman is now a brand partner and part owner.

Per a release, Betar will bring ‘immediate revenue opportunities’ to Complexity through merchandise sales, marketing activations, personal appearances, and branded content.


Team Liquid appoints Claire Hungate as President and COO

Claire Hungate
Image credit: Team Liquid

International esports organisation Team Liquid has announced Claire Hungate as the company’s new President and Chief Operating Officer, effective immediately.

According to the release, Hungate will superintend Liquid’s profit-and-loss and overall global business strategy and operations; as well as lead global expansion, acquisition, and new revenue stream plans. She will also oversee the company’s ongoing diversity, equity and inclusion efforts.


Mari ‘AtomicMari’ Takahashi named Co-owner of Spacestation Gaming

Mari Takahashi
Image credit: Spacestation Gaming

North American esports organisation Spacestation Gaming has named gaming personality Mari ‘AtomicMari’ Takahashi as Co-owner of the company.

Takahashi will work alongside her business partner, Peter Kitch, current founder Shaun ‘Shonduras’ McBride, and Spacestation Integrations Co-founder Sean Holladay.


BLAST recruits Tom Greene as Chief Growth Officer

Tom Greene x BLAST
Credit: BLAST

Esports tournament organiser BLAST has recruited Tom Greene as its Chief Growth Officer.

Greene joins the company following a six-year spell working with the Harry Potter movie franchise. As BLAST’s Chief Growth Officer, Greene will aim to increase the firm’s audience and consumer base.


Envy Gaming recruits Eric Duncan and Erin Schendle to marketing team

ENVY Gaming
Image credit: ENVY Gaming

Texas-based esports organisation Envy Gaming has recruited Eric Duncan and Erin Schendle into its sales and marketing team.

Duncan will be the organisation’s Head of Marketing while Schendle has been named Envy Gaming’s Senior Vice President of Sales and Partnerships.


Nerd Street Gamers names JuJu Smith-Schuster as brand ambassador

Nerd Street Gamers x JuJu Smith Schuster
Credit: Nerd Street Gamers

Esports infrastructure company Nerd Street Gamers has named professional American Football player JuJu Smith-Schuster as brand ambassador for the company and Localhost gaming centres.

As a result, Smith-Schuster will collaborate with the company on a range of projects including the launch of a dedicated esports camp.


Galaxy Racer appoints Romeo Misao and Zoey Ng to marketing team

Galaxy Racer
Image credit: Galaxy Racer

Galaxy Racer has appointed Romeo Misao as its Head of Marketing for India and South Asia. Misao will lead the regional marketing initiatives for both Galaxy Racer and Nigma Galaxy, the organisation’s esports division.

The organisation has also appointed Zoey Ng as its Regional Marketing Manager for Southeast Asia. Ng will be responsible for leading regional marketing initiatives in Southeast Asia.


Mobalytics partners with Cloud9’s Perkz

Image credit: Mobalytics

California-based esports analytics platform Mobalytics has signed Cloud9 League of Legends player Luka ‘Perkz’ Perković as its latest media partner.

As a part of the deal, Perković will be providing his knowledge as a professional esports athlete to help Mobalytics design new features for its platform.

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