Earlier this week we reported that scholastic and collegiate esports platform company Generation Esports experienced another round of layoffs. This latest round follows layoffs in September where the company cut an estimated 15 - 20 employees. This time around we can confirm at least six people who were let go, though the number is likely a lot higher. We reached out to Generation Esports to get an exact headcount but the company did not respond to our repeated requests for comment. You can read more about it in this story.
Now onto this week’s news - James Fudge.
People on the Move
Here is this week’s list of promotions, hires, and departures in the gaming/esports industry:
Esports:
Former XSET CRO and co-founder Marco Mereu launched a new organization called M80.
Leo Faria has been promoted to the role of global head of Valorant Esports at Riot Games.
Brian Anderson has joined FlyQuest as its new CEO.
Stephen Ciepek joins TSM as chief revenue officer.
Galaxy Racer Brand Partnerships Manager Chantal-Denise Ortega joins Women in Sports and Events as a member.
Philippe Wong is promoted to the role of chief product officer at Esports Innovation Group.
Esports Entertainment Group has removed Grant Johnson from his role as CEO.
Pablo Chung leaves Snap to join Riot Games as a software engineer with a focus on Valorant and supporting content creation.
FaZe Clan member Nate Hill will be represented by Excel Sports Management.
Ghost Gaming promotes Cameron Ramsay to handle partnership and sales activations.
Ghost Gaming promotes Myles Cohen to the role of manager, partnerships & activations.
Former Apollo Agency GG CEO Iza Robinson launches Xera9 Gaming.
Todd Berman, who spent more than three years at Nerd Street Gamers as VP of media & commercial operations, has launched Tangerine Ventures.
Marcus Lovejoy joins G1 as its new GM of esports and director of esports optimization.
Gaming:
Dylan Hussey has been appointed to the role of associate game producer on Overwatch 2 at Blizzard Entertainment.
After more than eight years, Kaye Vassey has left her role as an animator and as a member of the company's LGBTQIA2+ ERG Leadership Council at Epic Games.
Chris Akhavan joins Magic Eden as its new chief gaming officer.
Other:
Former esports journalist Adam Fitch joins Bamboo PR as an account manager.
Dan Stapleton is named director of reviews at IGN.
Sam Ford left StreamElements in November to take on the role of talent account manager at brd_management.
Oscar Dobbins takes on a new role at GameRant as a specialized writer.
Former Sports Business Journal Atlas Product Manager Jeremy Long joins Tential Solutions as director of solution delivery.
Tyson Foods announced that Melanie Boulden will take on the role of EVP chief growth officer on Feb. 6, 2023.
Walker Lutringer joins Dallas-based idea incubator Dallas Inc. as COO.
In Other News
🚫 FTC files lawsuit to block Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard.
📱 Samsung Galaxy named the official smartphone of the Snapdragon Pro Series.
🤝 GameSquare Esports will combine with Engine Gaming & Media, Inc.
🚗 Astralis partners with car subscription company :Dribe.