1 00:00:00,080 --> 00:00:11,000 Speaker 1: M. Welcome to another episode of Strictly Business, the podcast 2 00:00:11,039 --> 00:00:13,680 Speaker 1: where we speak with key leaders across the media business. Today. 3 00:00:14,080 --> 00:00:17,919 Speaker 1: I'm Corey Errickson with Variety Intelligence platform. The video game 4 00:00:17,960 --> 00:00:21,400 Speaker 1: industry has for years undergone consistent growth and experienced a 5 00:00:21,480 --> 00:00:24,680 Speaker 1: considerable boost and attention during the pandemic, with the entire 6 00:00:24,720 --> 00:00:28,720 Speaker 1: market reaching nearly one eight billion dollars globally in One 7 00:00:28,760 --> 00:00:31,880 Speaker 1: executive involved in several sectors of this market and Sophia Lupo, 8 00:00:32,200 --> 00:00:34,320 Speaker 1: a partner and the head of video Games at United 9 00:00:34,360 --> 00:00:38,560 Speaker 1: Talent Agency, whereas division represents top global developers, professional E 10 00:00:38,680 --> 00:00:42,320 Speaker 1: sports athletes, content creators and live streamers. He's also been 11 00:00:42,360 --> 00:00:45,120 Speaker 1: involved in negotiating several high profile M and A deals 12 00:00:45,120 --> 00:00:47,040 Speaker 1: through ut A, So now is as good a time 13 00:00:47,080 --> 00:00:49,040 Speaker 1: as ever to hear from him about what's continuing to 14 00:00:49,040 --> 00:01:00,640 Speaker 1: steer the game's market forward. Welcome back to strict Leap Business. 15 00:01:00,720 --> 00:01:03,520 Speaker 1: We're here with a fair LOOPU, the head of video 16 00:01:03,560 --> 00:01:05,560 Speaker 1: games at U t A. I would take at things 17 00:01:05,560 --> 00:01:08,600 Speaker 1: started off with, you know the development side of things 18 00:01:08,800 --> 00:01:10,800 Speaker 1: at U t A, and you know all these different 19 00:01:10,840 --> 00:01:14,280 Speaker 1: game creators and studios you've been able to sign. Has 20 00:01:14,319 --> 00:01:18,479 Speaker 1: there been anything recent going on there. Well, hey, thanks 21 00:01:18,480 --> 00:01:21,080 Speaker 1: Corey and thanks for having me UM. I really appreciate 22 00:01:21,120 --> 00:01:24,720 Speaker 1: the time. Uh. Yeah, Look, we are you know, we're 23 00:01:24,800 --> 00:01:27,399 Speaker 1: we're we're We're an active group of folks here at 24 00:01:27,480 --> 00:01:31,959 Speaker 1: U t a UM who oversee our gaming business and 25 00:01:32,440 --> 00:01:35,679 Speaker 1: we're always on the lookout for developers to represent. We 26 00:01:35,720 --> 00:01:39,399 Speaker 1: really want to represent the best and most talented group 27 00:01:39,400 --> 00:01:41,760 Speaker 1: of developers we can on a global basis. You know, 28 00:01:41,800 --> 00:01:47,000 Speaker 1: our business is and our client base is really diverse, uh, 29 00:01:47,000 --> 00:01:49,559 Speaker 1: in global in nature, I can tell you. I think 30 00:01:49,880 --> 00:01:54,640 Speaker 1: we have almost exactly one client in southern California. UM. 31 00:01:54,640 --> 00:02:00,720 Speaker 1: Our clients spanned the globe from Boston, Montreal, Tokyo, Copenhagen, 32 00:02:01,480 --> 00:02:04,240 Speaker 1: and even even South Africa. And so we're always on 33 00:02:04,280 --> 00:02:07,000 Speaker 1: the lookout to represent really great developers. And you know, 34 00:02:07,080 --> 00:02:09,040 Speaker 1: one of the areas that we're always focused on is 35 00:02:09,080 --> 00:02:13,640 Speaker 1: representing really incredibly young and talented new studios UH. And 36 00:02:13,720 --> 00:02:16,800 Speaker 1: I'm really happy that we've signed two new studios in 37 00:02:16,800 --> 00:02:20,000 Speaker 1: that regard in the last few months here UM. One 38 00:02:20,040 --> 00:02:23,760 Speaker 1: of them is incredibly talented based in Copenhagen. They're called 39 00:02:23,840 --> 00:02:27,840 Speaker 1: De Guta Fabrick UH, and they made an incredibly wonderful 40 00:02:27,880 --> 00:02:32,240 Speaker 1: title called Mutatsi one, which was nominated for all the 41 00:02:32,280 --> 00:02:36,400 Speaker 1: awards in the in the last year or so, and 42 00:02:36,440 --> 00:02:39,519 Speaker 1: we're really excited to work with them. So we we 43 00:02:39,520 --> 00:02:42,760 Speaker 1: were lucky enough to represent a studio called Diama cop 44 00:02:42,760 --> 00:02:46,480 Speaker 1: based in South Africa, our first studio in that region, 45 00:02:46,919 --> 00:02:50,800 Speaker 1: who made a wonderful first title called semblance Um, which 46 00:02:50,840 --> 00:02:53,320 Speaker 1: also is recognized for a ton of awards. So we're 47 00:02:53,360 --> 00:02:56,840 Speaker 1: really interested, Corey in not just representing sort of the 48 00:02:56,840 --> 00:02:59,840 Speaker 1: biggest and best names that are sort of household names 49 00:02:59,840 --> 00:03:01,520 Speaker 1: in the gaming business today. And we do that. We 50 00:03:01,600 --> 00:03:04,120 Speaker 1: love doing it, obviously, and it's an honor to represent 51 00:03:04,160 --> 00:03:07,200 Speaker 1: those folks. It's equally as important to us to make 52 00:03:07,200 --> 00:03:10,160 Speaker 1: sure that we represent the next wave of creators in space. 53 00:03:11,400 --> 00:03:13,399 Speaker 1: That's a really good point. I mean, the gaming industry 54 00:03:13,600 --> 00:03:18,040 Speaker 1: is it's become, you know, an incredibly vast global market. 55 00:03:18,280 --> 00:03:24,280 Speaker 1: Um new Zoo has it at seventy billion globally as 56 00:03:24,360 --> 00:03:28,360 Speaker 1: of November of last year. UM So yeah, in terms 57 00:03:28,480 --> 00:03:34,560 Speaker 1: of signing development studios and creators, what specifically draws you 58 00:03:34,600 --> 00:03:36,440 Speaker 1: to them? In terms of the sort of games you're 59 00:03:36,440 --> 00:03:38,560 Speaker 1: seeing coming from you know, all these different places in 60 00:03:38,600 --> 00:03:40,720 Speaker 1: the world. What is ut A really looking for? In 61 00:03:40,720 --> 00:03:44,920 Speaker 1: that regard, well, I think we always look for folks 62 00:03:44,920 --> 00:03:46,960 Speaker 1: that have unique voices. I mean, I think that's the 63 00:03:47,440 --> 00:03:50,080 Speaker 1: you know, that's sort of a through line across all 64 00:03:50,120 --> 00:03:53,120 Speaker 1: of our various divisions and clients that we represent, right, 65 00:03:53,160 --> 00:03:57,120 Speaker 1: we want to represent people who have unique creative vision 66 00:03:57,280 --> 00:04:00,240 Speaker 1: and voices that are going to stand out from from 67 00:04:00,280 --> 00:04:02,960 Speaker 1: the rest, you know. Um, it's the thing that gets 68 00:04:03,040 --> 00:04:06,960 Speaker 1: us most passionate about representing these people. Um. You know, 69 00:04:07,040 --> 00:04:09,640 Speaker 1: we talk about game in my groups. We talked about 70 00:04:09,680 --> 00:04:11,560 Speaker 1: games all the time, we play games all the time. 71 00:04:11,600 --> 00:04:16,080 Speaker 1: We talked about the things that inspire us. And that's 72 00:04:16,160 --> 00:04:19,280 Speaker 1: really sort of been the guiding light. It's as simple 73 00:04:19,440 --> 00:04:22,000 Speaker 1: as I can put it. Um. You know, we want 74 00:04:22,040 --> 00:04:25,600 Speaker 1: to represent people that inspire us and that we are 75 00:04:25,600 --> 00:04:28,680 Speaker 1: passionate about. Certainly, you know, one of my favorite games 76 00:04:28,680 --> 00:04:32,599 Speaker 1: of all time is limbo Um made by play Dead 77 00:04:32,600 --> 00:04:36,640 Speaker 1: based in Copenhagen, and it's it's an honor to represent them, right, 78 00:04:36,680 --> 00:04:39,800 Speaker 1: It's it's exactly the kind of studio that we're we 79 00:04:40,120 --> 00:04:46,360 Speaker 1: dream of representing. It's great. Um, you've also signed people 80 00:04:46,520 --> 00:04:50,680 Speaker 1: from within Hollywood before too. Um. I believe justin Royland 81 00:04:50,800 --> 00:04:56,160 Speaker 1: some time ago came to you wanting to collaborate on games. Correct. Yeah, 82 00:04:56,440 --> 00:05:00,080 Speaker 1: Justin is a longtime client. The agency on the the 83 00:05:00,120 --> 00:05:03,040 Speaker 1: more traditional television side obviously is the co creator Rick 84 00:05:03,080 --> 00:05:07,520 Speaker 1: and Mortium and now Solar Opposites, which is incredibly funny. 85 00:05:08,040 --> 00:05:11,720 Speaker 1: Um And you know, I got a call from Hit 86 00:05:11,839 --> 00:05:14,520 Speaker 1: from my colleague Matt Rice, who one of our board 87 00:05:14,520 --> 00:05:18,000 Speaker 1: members met TV Group who who asked me to meet Justin. 88 00:05:18,480 --> 00:05:20,840 Speaker 1: Uh and I did, and Justin came into my office 89 00:05:21,560 --> 00:05:24,200 Speaker 1: and was so passionate about games and set down and 90 00:05:24,200 --> 00:05:26,880 Speaker 1: basically said I want to start my own game development studio. 91 00:05:27,520 --> 00:05:29,920 Speaker 1: And after I tried to talk him out of that, um, 92 00:05:30,080 --> 00:05:33,920 Speaker 1: I realized that he was serious about it, and we 93 00:05:33,960 --> 00:05:36,320 Speaker 1: put a real plan together and put a plan in 94 00:05:36,360 --> 00:05:40,600 Speaker 1: place for him to you know, really understand because he's 95 00:05:40,600 --> 00:05:45,360 Speaker 1: a huge gamer, right and really just deep, deep understanding 96 00:05:45,440 --> 00:05:48,679 Speaker 1: of games and you know, going all the way back 97 00:05:48,720 --> 00:05:51,919 Speaker 1: to you know, generations ago in terms of consoles, you know, 98 00:05:52,160 --> 00:05:56,120 Speaker 1: really plays board games and and understands game design actually 99 00:05:56,160 --> 00:05:59,840 Speaker 1: like on a crazy level. Um But above and b 100 00:06:00,040 --> 00:06:01,920 Speaker 1: on that, it was really how do we get him 101 00:06:01,960 --> 00:06:05,640 Speaker 1: to understand how to build a development studio, how to 102 00:06:05,680 --> 00:06:09,359 Speaker 1: get financing around it, and then how to strike relevant 103 00:06:09,400 --> 00:06:11,360 Speaker 1: partnerships that can help take them to the next level 104 00:06:11,360 --> 00:06:13,720 Speaker 1: of Trover Saves the Universe was sort of the first 105 00:06:13,760 --> 00:06:16,599 Speaker 1: game that came out of that studio. Squaunch Games is 106 00:06:16,680 --> 00:06:21,240 Speaker 1: the studio UM and they're working on a unannounced, super 107 00:06:21,279 --> 00:06:23,039 Speaker 1: cool new one right now and I can't wait for 108 00:06:23,040 --> 00:06:27,479 Speaker 1: everyone to see it. So, in addition to signing various 109 00:06:27,480 --> 00:06:31,560 Speaker 1: development studios and game creators, U t A is also 110 00:06:31,600 --> 00:06:36,200 Speaker 1: heavily involved in raising capital for a lot of these companies. Yeah, 111 00:06:36,240 --> 00:06:41,400 Speaker 1: that's right. Um. You know, we recognize about five or 112 00:06:41,400 --> 00:06:46,760 Speaker 1: six years ago that in addition to the primary function 113 00:06:46,800 --> 00:06:49,919 Speaker 1: and services that we provide, our clients, which predominantly in 114 00:06:49,920 --> 00:06:54,279 Speaker 1: the game space, had been doing deals with publishers for 115 00:06:54,360 --> 00:06:58,120 Speaker 1: publishing services and in many cases with you know, some 116 00:06:58,160 --> 00:07:02,560 Speaker 1: of the first parties and first party platforms for distribution deals. 117 00:07:03,000 --> 00:07:07,800 Speaker 1: That we were starting to see this influx of investment 118 00:07:07,920 --> 00:07:10,760 Speaker 1: coming into the space, equity investment coming into the space, 119 00:07:11,160 --> 00:07:16,320 Speaker 1: whether that was from a handful of strategics mostly out 120 00:07:16,320 --> 00:07:20,480 Speaker 1: of Asia, whether it was from private equity adventure, some 121 00:07:20,640 --> 00:07:23,920 Speaker 1: institutional investors. Um that we're really starting to see gaming 122 00:07:23,960 --> 00:07:27,840 Speaker 1: as a viable investment strategy for them. That we wanted 123 00:07:27,880 --> 00:07:32,000 Speaker 1: to make sure that we also had that ability on 124 00:07:32,040 --> 00:07:35,080 Speaker 1: behalf of our clients to broker those types of transactions, 125 00:07:35,080 --> 00:07:38,000 Speaker 1: and so myself and a number of colleagues went out, 126 00:07:38,200 --> 00:07:44,920 Speaker 1: UH took our series seven, did our studying, got licensed 127 00:07:44,920 --> 00:07:48,280 Speaker 1: by Finra in the SEC to do those types of deals, 128 00:07:48,360 --> 00:07:51,440 Speaker 1: and it's been really successful UM, and it's been an 129 00:07:51,440 --> 00:07:57,640 Speaker 1: incredible expansion of our of what we do for our clients. UM, 130 00:07:57,640 --> 00:07:59,880 Speaker 1: both on the capitol ray side, I think we've done 131 00:07:59,880 --> 00:08:02,119 Speaker 1: a twenty or so of those on the gaming side 132 00:08:02,640 --> 00:08:04,520 Speaker 1: and the better part of the past five years, but 133 00:08:04,560 --> 00:08:07,920 Speaker 1: also on the M and A side. UM. We've advised 134 00:08:08,000 --> 00:08:11,480 Speaker 1: numerous clients of ours in the sale of their STUDIOSUM, 135 00:08:12,080 --> 00:08:16,360 Speaker 1: most recently representing Clay Entertainment in their sale to ten 136 00:08:16,400 --> 00:08:20,880 Speaker 1: CENTUM which capped off I think the third sale we've 137 00:08:20,920 --> 00:08:24,800 Speaker 1: done in the past eighteen months across a number of 138 00:08:24,840 --> 00:08:29,960 Speaker 1: different categories. So we're UM, yeah, we're super excited to 139 00:08:29,960 --> 00:08:32,040 Speaker 1: continue that line of business for our clients. It's an 140 00:08:32,080 --> 00:08:37,160 Speaker 1: incredible UH time and opportunity for game developers, both on 141 00:08:37,200 --> 00:08:41,400 Speaker 1: the publishing and distribution side, certainly also on the Capital 142 00:08:41,520 --> 00:08:44,400 Speaker 1: rays and M and A side. Shifting gears a bit 143 00:08:44,520 --> 00:08:50,400 Speaker 1: um U t A ended up acquiring two different companies 144 00:08:50,440 --> 00:08:53,400 Speaker 1: that were pretty invested in the e sports world, press 145 00:08:53,679 --> 00:08:57,400 Speaker 1: X and everyday influencers. What spurred U t A to 146 00:08:57,520 --> 00:09:00,079 Speaker 1: really sort of, you know, dive head first into with 147 00:09:00,120 --> 00:09:04,160 Speaker 1: the e sports and live streaming space. Yeah, it's a 148 00:09:04,200 --> 00:09:06,280 Speaker 1: great Uh, it's a great question. Glad you brought it up. 149 00:09:06,320 --> 00:09:09,000 Speaker 1: You know, E sports for US is a really important 150 00:09:09,120 --> 00:09:14,720 Speaker 1: important growth area. UM. You know, gaming has been a 151 00:09:14,760 --> 00:09:17,200 Speaker 1: big part of the growth of U t A on 152 00:09:17,240 --> 00:09:19,920 Speaker 1: the digital side, and we think that the sports UH 153 00:09:21,200 --> 00:09:24,680 Speaker 1: is in incredibly important and complementary. UM. You know, what 154 00:09:24,800 --> 00:09:29,439 Speaker 1: spurred it was I'm fortunate enough to sit on UTA's 155 00:09:29,480 --> 00:09:33,280 Speaker 1: investment committee, but we've been investing in companies UM for 156 00:09:33,360 --> 00:09:35,520 Speaker 1: quite some time, early stage all the way to late 157 00:09:35,559 --> 00:09:41,280 Speaker 1: stage companies across you know, media technology in various entertainment 158 00:09:41,320 --> 00:09:43,800 Speaker 1: sectors and consumer products as well. And that's you know, 159 00:09:44,120 --> 00:09:50,320 Speaker 1: companies like Lift or pocket Watch or Patreon or Masterclass UM. 160 00:09:50,360 --> 00:09:53,200 Speaker 1: And one of the companies that we invested in that 161 00:09:53,240 --> 00:09:55,840 Speaker 1: I was really an advocate for investing in along with 162 00:09:55,840 --> 00:09:58,600 Speaker 1: my colleague Sam Wick, who runs our adventures practice, was 163 00:09:58,640 --> 00:10:02,840 Speaker 1: Cloud nine, which is a leading e sports organization and 164 00:10:02,840 --> 00:10:07,199 Speaker 1: they're very well known. Obviously, they're they're dominant in in 165 00:10:07,320 --> 00:10:10,920 Speaker 1: League of Legends and a number of other games in 166 00:10:10,960 --> 00:10:16,000 Speaker 1: the sports sector. And that investment, which you know was 167 00:10:16,120 --> 00:10:22,199 Speaker 1: our first investment into the sports, our first investment in gaming. Frankly, really, 168 00:10:22,280 --> 00:10:25,480 Speaker 1: I think gave us this incredible front row seat to 169 00:10:25,559 --> 00:10:28,240 Speaker 1: what was going on in the sports world right whether 170 00:10:28,280 --> 00:10:30,800 Speaker 1: it was on the pro player side or the content 171 00:10:30,840 --> 00:10:34,960 Speaker 1: creation side. I think it really helped give us even 172 00:10:35,120 --> 00:10:38,920 Speaker 1: more UM certainty that we needed to be in a 173 00:10:38,920 --> 00:10:42,360 Speaker 1: deeper way. And so Sam and I together UM really 174 00:10:42,360 --> 00:10:45,040 Speaker 1: went out and developed this thesis that we should be 175 00:10:45,080 --> 00:10:48,800 Speaker 1: in that space. UM. You know, on Uta, being the 176 00:10:48,920 --> 00:10:53,080 Speaker 1: entrepreneurial company that it is, really gave us UM, you know, 177 00:10:53,160 --> 00:10:55,559 Speaker 1: all the rope we needed to go out there and 178 00:10:56,240 --> 00:11:00,240 Speaker 1: you know, look at companies, look at the sector, come 179 00:11:00,240 --> 00:11:03,439 Speaker 1: back make a recommendation. We had met Damon Law who's 180 00:11:03,480 --> 00:11:06,440 Speaker 1: the CEO of of both those sister companies and his 181 00:11:06,559 --> 00:11:09,080 Speaker 1: team and really felt like they would be an incredible 182 00:11:09,080 --> 00:11:11,080 Speaker 1: fitt a U t A. And we're so lucky to 183 00:11:11,120 --> 00:11:14,680 Speaker 1: get them. And you know, since then, I'm really happy 184 00:11:14,720 --> 00:11:19,640 Speaker 1: to say that the thesis proved itself out cool. UM 185 00:11:19,760 --> 00:11:23,800 Speaker 1: So with a lot of E sports athletes. You know, 186 00:11:23,840 --> 00:11:27,280 Speaker 1: they're competing in a lot of virtual tournaments sometimes you know, 187 00:11:27,320 --> 00:11:30,679 Speaker 1: live tournaments and stadiums to you know, obviously before the 188 00:11:30,679 --> 00:11:35,320 Speaker 1: pandemic change a lot of that, but content creation is 189 00:11:35,400 --> 00:11:39,640 Speaker 1: also such a key component for many, um many sports 190 00:11:39,640 --> 00:11:43,080 Speaker 1: athletes active in that space. When you're looking for teams 191 00:11:43,200 --> 00:11:47,359 Speaker 1: or players to sign. How much is um their attitude 192 00:11:48,280 --> 00:11:51,319 Speaker 1: and you know, sort of quantity of live streaming sort 193 00:11:51,360 --> 00:11:55,640 Speaker 1: of affecting these decisions. Well, that's a good question. I 194 00:11:55,679 --> 00:11:57,760 Speaker 1: think it's also important to say, you know, E sports 195 00:11:57,800 --> 00:12:01,280 Speaker 1: for us is sort of abroad umbrella under which we 196 00:12:01,600 --> 00:12:05,520 Speaker 1: really operate three sub businesses. Right. There's the business of 197 00:12:05,559 --> 00:12:12,040 Speaker 1: representing pro players, and those are players who primarily play 198 00:12:12,240 --> 00:12:15,839 Speaker 1: in the franchise leagues, so that would be mostly in 199 00:12:15,960 --> 00:12:19,160 Speaker 1: League of Legends. And we represent a handful of really 200 00:12:19,200 --> 00:12:23,000 Speaker 1: incredible players in the Call of Duty League. UM, so 201 00:12:23,120 --> 00:12:27,000 Speaker 1: that is sort of its own separate business unit, right. Um. 202 00:12:27,080 --> 00:12:30,520 Speaker 1: Then we represent streamers of course, UM and those are 203 00:12:30,559 --> 00:12:32,520 Speaker 1: some of the biggest names in streaming, whether it's Nick 204 00:12:32,600 --> 00:12:36,160 Speaker 1: Merks or Pokemon or Valki Ray, um, this guy's Toast 205 00:12:37,160 --> 00:12:39,880 Speaker 1: and many many more. UM. And then we also have 206 00:12:40,640 --> 00:12:45,120 Speaker 1: you know, a a brand business where we've represented a 207 00:12:45,200 --> 00:12:50,079 Speaker 1: handful of whether they're consumer facing brands or gaming companies 208 00:12:50,280 --> 00:12:52,800 Speaker 1: who are looking to really activate in that space, and 209 00:12:52,880 --> 00:12:55,600 Speaker 1: we help advise them on a number of different ways. 210 00:12:55,600 --> 00:12:57,400 Speaker 1: So that's sort of e sports. More broadly, I think 211 00:12:57,440 --> 00:12:59,760 Speaker 1: it's important to just make sure that we touch on 212 00:13:00,320 --> 00:13:03,000 Speaker 1: UM with respect to signing new clients. Look, I mean, 213 00:13:03,920 --> 00:13:06,520 Speaker 1: going back to what I spoke about earlier with respect 214 00:13:06,559 --> 00:13:11,040 Speaker 1: to our development studios, I think the number one thing 215 00:13:11,120 --> 00:13:15,920 Speaker 1: that's important in representing and signing somebody is passion. Right 216 00:13:16,040 --> 00:13:20,080 Speaker 1: Having that passion for them, you're going to be establishing 217 00:13:20,080 --> 00:13:25,120 Speaker 1: a relationship, working with them daily, weekly, monthly, you know, 218 00:13:25,400 --> 00:13:28,160 Speaker 1: seven days a week three. I mean, this is a 219 00:13:28,240 --> 00:13:30,679 Speaker 1: real it's in many ways, being an agent isn't the job. 220 00:13:30,720 --> 00:13:34,480 Speaker 1: That's really a lifestyle, And if you're gonna do that, 221 00:13:34,480 --> 00:13:36,200 Speaker 1: you're gonna have to be really passionate about the people 222 00:13:36,200 --> 00:13:40,400 Speaker 1: that you represent, right. UM. Coming down to it with 223 00:13:40,440 --> 00:13:43,640 Speaker 1: respect to live streamers, you know, I think in many 224 00:13:43,679 --> 00:13:46,480 Speaker 1: ways what they do is this incredible blend of art 225 00:13:46,480 --> 00:13:50,520 Speaker 1: and science. Um, the science part is the technical aspect. 226 00:13:51,000 --> 00:13:56,040 Speaker 1: Are you really good at playing these games? Because some 227 00:13:56,120 --> 00:13:58,959 Speaker 1: of the most amazing gameplay sessions I see are from 228 00:13:58,960 --> 00:14:02,880 Speaker 1: our clients on Twitter, which I mean, it's incredibly skillful 229 00:14:02,920 --> 00:14:06,199 Speaker 1: what they do. Um. Just in and of itself, the 230 00:14:06,400 --> 00:14:10,880 Speaker 1: art of it is can you be compelling to an audience? 231 00:14:11,480 --> 00:14:15,560 Speaker 1: For I mean, you know, Corey, these streams sometimes last five, six, seven, 232 00:14:15,640 --> 00:14:20,440 Speaker 1: eight hours. It's really it's it's it's really incredible, um 233 00:14:20,560 --> 00:14:23,520 Speaker 1: what they do. Can you be compelling to an audience? Right? 234 00:14:23,560 --> 00:14:26,360 Speaker 1: In many ways, you know, I view Twitch and our 235 00:14:26,400 --> 00:14:30,600 Speaker 1: live streamers as it's sort of the new late night 236 00:14:30,720 --> 00:14:35,440 Speaker 1: couch right. Um. This incredible back and forth with guests 237 00:14:35,520 --> 00:14:38,240 Speaker 1: that they bring on that they co stream, with the 238 00:14:38,240 --> 00:14:40,840 Speaker 1: interactivity with the audience, you know, So it's got to 239 00:14:40,880 --> 00:14:42,960 Speaker 1: be really compelling. So I think number one, you've got 240 00:14:42,960 --> 00:14:45,520 Speaker 1: to be passionate about the people you're working with. Uh. 241 00:14:45,600 --> 00:14:48,120 Speaker 1: In second, there's this incredible blend of art and science 242 00:14:48,120 --> 00:14:51,600 Speaker 1: that I think goes into being really great at it. One. 243 00:14:52,000 --> 00:14:54,200 Speaker 1: I think one of the most interesting things about sort 244 00:14:54,240 --> 00:14:56,520 Speaker 1: of you know, the live streaming universe and all of 245 00:14:56,520 --> 00:14:59,120 Speaker 1: the different people uh sort of making a living doing 246 00:14:59,160 --> 00:15:01,880 Speaker 1: this is the fact that their medium of choice is 247 00:15:01,960 --> 00:15:06,880 Speaker 1: something that often has them on stream interacting with fans 248 00:15:06,920 --> 00:15:10,160 Speaker 1: for hours and hours and hours and hours at a time. Um, 249 00:15:10,200 --> 00:15:12,600 Speaker 1: A lot of studies that often look at sort of, 250 00:15:12,640 --> 00:15:16,040 Speaker 1: you know, the most popular streamed games on Twitch often 251 00:15:16,080 --> 00:15:18,600 Speaker 1: find that, you know, just the streamers chatting with their 252 00:15:18,600 --> 00:15:20,600 Speaker 1: fans ranks as high as you know, some of the 253 00:15:20,640 --> 00:15:24,200 Speaker 1: most popular titles. Uh So, in that case, is there 254 00:15:24,240 --> 00:15:28,040 Speaker 1: sort of you know, given that Twitch in recent months 255 00:15:28,040 --> 00:15:30,440 Speaker 1: has really sort of been you know, cracking down on 256 00:15:30,560 --> 00:15:33,720 Speaker 1: its terms of service and making sure you know, it 257 00:15:33,920 --> 00:15:39,200 Speaker 1: develops very strict protocols for player behavior and addressing misconduct 258 00:15:39,440 --> 00:15:41,560 Speaker 1: and you know, potentially offensive things that can be said 259 00:15:41,560 --> 00:15:44,400 Speaker 1: on air. Uh is there sometimes a bit of a 260 00:15:44,440 --> 00:15:49,040 Speaker 1: concern with signing on players, especially from a crowd that 261 00:15:49,200 --> 00:15:52,440 Speaker 1: often exkews pretty young, that you know, they need to 262 00:15:52,560 --> 00:15:58,000 Speaker 1: understand that things like professional conduct and behavior are still 263 00:15:58,040 --> 00:15:59,920 Speaker 1: sort of you know, expected if you're going to be 264 00:16:00,000 --> 00:16:02,440 Speaker 1: wrapping brands for hours and hours and hours at a 265 00:16:02,480 --> 00:16:07,280 Speaker 1: time on stream. Yeah. Look, I mean I think it's 266 00:16:07,320 --> 00:16:10,920 Speaker 1: it's a timely question. And you know, as a parent 267 00:16:11,000 --> 00:16:14,720 Speaker 1: of two young kids, UM, I'm really supportive of what 268 00:16:14,760 --> 00:16:17,880 Speaker 1: Twitch is doing to try and ensure that the platform 269 00:16:17,960 --> 00:16:22,880 Speaker 1: is really safe for not just the consumers and the participants, 270 00:16:22,960 --> 00:16:27,080 Speaker 1: and but certainly. Also, you know the streamers themselves. Um, 271 00:16:27,360 --> 00:16:29,960 Speaker 1: there's a lot of there's a lot of back and 272 00:16:30,000 --> 00:16:34,480 Speaker 1: forth there, right, Um, the questions are we concerned about it? 273 00:16:34,560 --> 00:16:37,800 Speaker 1: I mean, look, you know, to my point earlier, we 274 00:16:38,000 --> 00:16:40,360 Speaker 1: tend to get a really good feel for who our 275 00:16:40,400 --> 00:16:42,880 Speaker 1: clients are early in the process, even in the signing 276 00:16:42,920 --> 00:16:46,000 Speaker 1: you know, when we're signing them, right, the profile of 277 00:16:46,000 --> 00:16:48,360 Speaker 1: our clients is pretty consistent. Right, We really want to 278 00:16:48,360 --> 00:16:52,400 Speaker 1: represent folks that were again not a passion is going 279 00:16:52,440 --> 00:16:54,520 Speaker 1: to keep coming up here, not only that we're passionate about, 280 00:16:55,040 --> 00:16:58,640 Speaker 1: but that we feel, you know, really confident in taking 281 00:16:58,640 --> 00:17:01,840 Speaker 1: to the market. Um. Not everything is perfect, Not everything 282 00:17:01,880 --> 00:17:04,479 Speaker 1: is always gonna work out, and it's our job in 283 00:17:04,520 --> 00:17:07,280 Speaker 1: those thankfully very rare. I can't even think of one 284 00:17:07,320 --> 00:17:10,800 Speaker 1: instances that we've that we at least have the tools 285 00:17:10,840 --> 00:17:14,280 Speaker 1: accessible to our clients to ensure that, um, you know, 286 00:17:15,000 --> 00:17:20,560 Speaker 1: if they need it, that it's there. We're gonna take 287 00:17:20,720 --> 00:17:23,600 Speaker 1: a quick break. When we come back, we're going to 288 00:17:23,720 --> 00:17:27,600 Speaker 1: talk about how the pandemic disrupted the e sports world 289 00:17:27,840 --> 00:17:30,919 Speaker 1: and what companies heavily invested in this space, like U 290 00:17:30,920 --> 00:17:33,640 Speaker 1: t A, had to do to adjust to the new reality. 291 00:17:33,680 --> 00:17:44,320 Speaker 1: There welcome back to strictly business. We're here with Fear Loop, 292 00:17:44,359 --> 00:17:46,720 Speaker 1: who the head of video games at U t A. 293 00:17:47,440 --> 00:17:51,800 Speaker 1: Now Fear When the pandemic happened, obviously, it's something that 294 00:17:51,840 --> 00:17:55,960 Speaker 1: affected you know, virtually every sector that requires people to 295 00:17:56,040 --> 00:17:59,879 Speaker 1: be physically present for anything, but especially in games and 296 00:18:00,040 --> 00:18:02,600 Speaker 1: with the sports you know developing into you know, this 297 00:18:02,760 --> 00:18:07,280 Speaker 1: gigantic universe of global events, you know, crowd filling stadiums 298 00:18:07,320 --> 00:18:10,040 Speaker 1: and all that. What was sort of you know, the 299 00:18:10,040 --> 00:18:14,879 Speaker 1: initial impact when all these different shutdowns occurred. Gaming events 300 00:18:14,880 --> 00:18:18,800 Speaker 1: got canceled. Obviously, e sports can you know, exist and 301 00:18:18,880 --> 00:18:22,240 Speaker 1: thrive virtually. But nevertheless, you know, there were a lot 302 00:18:22,280 --> 00:18:25,320 Speaker 1: of developments in you know, continuing this to be your 303 00:18:25,320 --> 00:18:27,800 Speaker 1: world Blood operation. Call of Duty League in particular, I 304 00:18:27,800 --> 00:18:30,080 Speaker 1: think was really you know starting to ramp up things 305 00:18:30,119 --> 00:18:35,440 Speaker 1: following um the release of their Modern Warfare game as 306 00:18:35,480 --> 00:18:38,080 Speaker 1: well as you know, prepping for the release of war 307 00:18:38,160 --> 00:18:40,560 Speaker 1: Zone coming out not long after that. How did U 308 00:18:40,640 --> 00:18:42,520 Speaker 1: t A you know, respond to you know, all the 309 00:18:42,600 --> 00:18:47,160 Speaker 1: chaos of COVID. Well, the first thing and the most 310 00:18:47,200 --> 00:18:49,600 Speaker 1: important thing always was ensuring that all of our clients 311 00:18:49,680 --> 00:18:52,400 Speaker 1: were you know, we're safe and healthy and take care 312 00:18:52,440 --> 00:18:54,919 Speaker 1: of so that's that that's sort of standard across the 313 00:18:54,960 --> 00:18:58,000 Speaker 1: board stuff. And look what we did was we worked 314 00:18:58,040 --> 00:19:01,240 Speaker 1: with our our partners right to ensure that our clients 315 00:19:01,320 --> 00:19:04,879 Speaker 1: were going to be well taken care of, UM, whether 316 00:19:04,920 --> 00:19:07,879 Speaker 1: that's our partners on the league side, on the team side, 317 00:19:08,640 --> 00:19:13,040 Speaker 1: the organizational side, UM, and on their brand partners side UM. 318 00:19:13,160 --> 00:19:17,040 Speaker 1: And you know, those discussions happened early and often, and 319 00:19:17,080 --> 00:19:19,520 Speaker 1: I think the results were pretty good. I mean, I 320 00:19:19,520 --> 00:19:23,359 Speaker 1: think what's incredible about, you know, this pandemic generally is 321 00:19:23,400 --> 00:19:29,520 Speaker 1: seeing the innovations and ingenuity of businesses across the board, UM, 322 00:19:29,880 --> 00:19:32,400 Speaker 1: and how they managed to sort of make it through. 323 00:19:32,680 --> 00:19:35,880 Speaker 1: And the same can you know, can be said about 324 00:19:35,880 --> 00:19:38,520 Speaker 1: the gaming business, certainly the sports business. I think the 325 00:19:38,840 --> 00:19:42,320 Speaker 1: quality of the production level was really high, the quality 326 00:19:42,359 --> 00:19:45,800 Speaker 1: of the gameplay and the competition was really high ultimately, 327 00:19:46,000 --> 00:19:49,200 Speaker 1: and UM, we're really proud of our clients for getting 328 00:19:49,200 --> 00:19:52,199 Speaker 1: through all of it obviously, UM. And we're really you know, 329 00:19:52,320 --> 00:19:54,920 Speaker 1: happy of the relationship and the working relationship we've got 330 00:19:54,920 --> 00:19:56,800 Speaker 1: with with our partners across the board there. And I 331 00:19:56,840 --> 00:20:00,080 Speaker 1: think net Net, you know, we're glad at all it 332 00:20:00,119 --> 00:20:02,199 Speaker 1: all turned out well and the fans were able to 333 00:20:02,200 --> 00:20:06,439 Speaker 1: watch and participate. And you know, obviously I I personally 334 00:20:06,480 --> 00:20:08,199 Speaker 1: can't wait to get back into a stadium full of 335 00:20:08,240 --> 00:20:12,320 Speaker 1: people and see UM and see matches live. And I'm 336 00:20:12,359 --> 00:20:14,800 Speaker 1: sure our clients can't either. I mean, that's that's there's 337 00:20:14,800 --> 00:20:19,680 Speaker 1: certainly a connection there that you can't you can't replicate. Yeah, absolutely. UM. 338 00:20:19,720 --> 00:20:22,119 Speaker 1: You know, as chaotic as everything has been with the pandemic, 339 00:20:22,200 --> 00:20:24,479 Speaker 1: one of the most interesting things to sort of witness 340 00:20:24,520 --> 00:20:27,240 Speaker 1: in the video game space was how, you know, massively 341 00:20:27,280 --> 00:20:30,679 Speaker 1: popular games like Fortnite really sort of turned themselves into 342 00:20:30,800 --> 00:20:35,080 Speaker 1: multimedia platforms beyond you know, just characters, you know, battling 343 00:20:35,080 --> 00:20:39,360 Speaker 1: each other for the top prize. Um. You were actually 344 00:20:39,880 --> 00:20:42,920 Speaker 1: this had already been going on before the pandemic, um, 345 00:20:42,960 --> 00:20:45,000 Speaker 1: as far back as when they sort of had their 346 00:20:45,000 --> 00:20:49,679 Speaker 1: first concert with the electronic musician Marshmallow, which arranging that 347 00:20:49,760 --> 00:20:54,840 Speaker 1: was something you were actually involved at the time. Correct, Yes, yeah, no, 348 00:20:55,040 --> 00:21:02,560 Speaker 1: that's a look. I think what Fortnite has done, generally speaking, UM, 349 00:21:02,600 --> 00:21:06,600 Speaker 1: in terms of creating this shared social space um is 350 00:21:07,240 --> 00:21:14,560 Speaker 1: has obviously been incredible. UM. The yeah, the Marshmallow concert 351 00:21:14,760 --> 00:21:17,760 Speaker 1: and uh and and all that that went into it 352 00:21:17,800 --> 00:21:20,040 Speaker 1: was just an incredible experience to be a part of 353 00:21:20,520 --> 00:21:24,080 Speaker 1: and I'm always be I'll always remember that one for sure, UM. 354 00:21:24,800 --> 00:21:28,400 Speaker 1: And look, we're always trying to find ways to put 355 00:21:28,400 --> 00:21:33,560 Speaker 1: our clients at the center of gaming. We think it's 356 00:21:34,119 --> 00:21:38,440 Speaker 1: obviously really important UM to have our clients who are 357 00:21:38,480 --> 00:21:41,040 Speaker 1: authentic gamers and who are really interested in the space. 358 00:21:41,160 --> 00:21:46,480 Speaker 1: Authenticity matters, as you know, UM find the right ways 359 00:21:46,680 --> 00:21:50,879 Speaker 1: of participating in in the ecosystem of gaming. So whether 360 00:21:50,960 --> 00:21:53,359 Speaker 1: it was the Marshmallow concert, whether it was you know, 361 00:21:53,400 --> 00:21:56,920 Speaker 1: someone like Dominic Fike, who's an up and coming artist 362 00:21:56,960 --> 00:21:58,720 Speaker 1: that you know on the music side that we're thrilled 363 00:21:58,760 --> 00:22:03,560 Speaker 1: to represent. He had credible debut and Fortnite during the pandemic, 364 00:22:04,560 --> 00:22:06,879 Speaker 1: Or whether it's someone like post Malone who has a 365 00:22:06,920 --> 00:22:10,239 Speaker 1: really deep love of Call of Duty and we were 366 00:22:10,280 --> 00:22:12,760 Speaker 1: able to partner him with Team Envy for him to 367 00:22:12,760 --> 00:22:15,639 Speaker 1: come in as an owner. UM. We're always looking for 368 00:22:15,680 --> 00:22:21,600 Speaker 1: those opportunities across all of our respective areas. Now, the pandemic, 369 00:22:21,720 --> 00:22:26,840 Speaker 1: for sure, UM created a heavy amount of interest from 370 00:22:26,880 --> 00:22:29,200 Speaker 1: our clients who some you know, a lot of whom 371 00:22:29,200 --> 00:22:33,720 Speaker 1: were couldn't tour UM to get into the space. And 372 00:22:34,160 --> 00:22:36,640 Speaker 1: you know, we think given all the work we've done 373 00:22:36,640 --> 00:22:39,160 Speaker 1: in the past on that that there is a huge 374 00:22:39,160 --> 00:22:44,199 Speaker 1: business opportunity there for our clients. UM. And so to 375 00:22:44,320 --> 00:22:46,359 Speaker 1: that end, I went out and we hired somebody great 376 00:22:46,359 --> 00:22:48,760 Speaker 1: again named Jeff Sawyer, who announced a few months ago 377 00:22:48,840 --> 00:22:51,919 Speaker 1: is come in. We hired him from Red Bull to 378 00:22:52,000 --> 00:22:54,399 Speaker 1: come in and oversee all the specifically all of our 379 00:22:54,480 --> 00:22:59,320 Speaker 1: music and gaming partnerships. UM. Given the success of Fortnite 380 00:22:59,320 --> 00:23:01,040 Speaker 1: and all the work we done with them, of course, 381 00:23:01,440 --> 00:23:05,320 Speaker 1: the success of Roadblocks, and you know, a ton of 382 00:23:05,359 --> 00:23:08,760 Speaker 1: other opportunities in the space when you see music immigrations 383 00:23:08,760 --> 00:23:12,000 Speaker 1: and games like two K t A UM, you know, 384 00:23:12,080 --> 00:23:16,320 Speaker 1: we see that that intersection of gaming and music really 385 00:23:16,359 --> 00:23:18,840 Speaker 1: happening and coming into a really fast velocity, and we 386 00:23:18,880 --> 00:23:21,240 Speaker 1: want to make sure that we're you know, we're the 387 00:23:21,280 --> 00:23:23,159 Speaker 1: best in the business of doing that for our clients. 388 00:23:24,040 --> 00:23:25,560 Speaker 1: And yeah, you brought you brought him up a post. 389 00:23:25,560 --> 00:23:28,440 Speaker 1: Malone has also been active on sort of these music 390 00:23:28,480 --> 00:23:32,760 Speaker 1: collaboration front to UM. In February, he headlines Pokemons twenty 391 00:23:32,760 --> 00:23:38,200 Speaker 1: five Anniversary Virtual Concert. UM. After this, Jeff Sawyer higher 392 00:23:38,240 --> 00:23:40,960 Speaker 1: coming from Red Bull, what what do you see as 393 00:23:41,040 --> 00:23:43,880 Speaker 1: you know, sort of the future of these collaborations and 394 00:23:44,000 --> 00:23:48,320 Speaker 1: finding all these different opportunities for gaming to come together 395 00:23:48,400 --> 00:23:51,080 Speaker 1: with U T as other departments and clients, and not 396 00:23:51,160 --> 00:23:54,040 Speaker 1: even in terms of just music, but you know what's 397 00:23:54,080 --> 00:23:56,960 Speaker 1: going on with looking at opportunities in the film and 398 00:23:57,000 --> 00:24:00,960 Speaker 1: television spaces. Look, there's a lot of ground to cover, 399 00:24:01,440 --> 00:24:06,119 Speaker 1: and the opportunities, frankly are are really endless. And I 400 00:24:06,160 --> 00:24:08,280 Speaker 1: don't just mean, you know, I'm just saying that to 401 00:24:08,320 --> 00:24:12,040 Speaker 1: say that, I think that I think we're just beginning 402 00:24:12,040 --> 00:24:15,520 Speaker 1: to scratch the surface of what music and gaming integrations 403 00:24:15,520 --> 00:24:18,960 Speaker 1: look like. Um, we're not too far away from the 404 00:24:19,000 --> 00:24:22,960 Speaker 1: moment where you're going to see original music by big 405 00:24:23,080 --> 00:24:26,240 Speaker 1: name artists being title tracks for games in the same 406 00:24:26,240 --> 00:24:29,480 Speaker 1: way they have been for film and television. Um, for sure, 407 00:24:30,040 --> 00:24:32,000 Speaker 1: I think someone you know, what you're coming to see 408 00:24:32,080 --> 00:24:36,760 Speaker 1: is someone like post Malone, you know, doing this Pokemon collaboration. 409 00:24:37,600 --> 00:24:40,320 Speaker 1: He's an authentic Pokemon fan, right, that really meant a 410 00:24:40,320 --> 00:24:42,960 Speaker 1: lot to him. And I think we're starting to really 411 00:24:43,080 --> 00:24:46,440 Speaker 1: mind our clients across the board in terms of what 412 00:24:46,480 --> 00:24:50,320 Speaker 1: are they interested in, Because, as I said, gaming is 413 00:24:50,359 --> 00:24:53,680 Speaker 1: a global business, right there are games that are not 414 00:24:54,000 --> 00:25:00,159 Speaker 1: popular necessarily in the US, that are hugely popular in 415 00:25:00,560 --> 00:25:04,320 Speaker 1: other territories. UM. And so it's really important for us 416 00:25:04,359 --> 00:25:08,120 Speaker 1: to know what our clients play, what they love, UH. 417 00:25:08,160 --> 00:25:09,760 Speaker 1: And we're going to be able to sort of make 418 00:25:09,800 --> 00:25:15,679 Speaker 1: those matches organically and ensure that they're authentic for sure. UM. 419 00:25:15,760 --> 00:25:19,560 Speaker 1: On the film and TV side, you know, that's another 420 00:25:19,640 --> 00:25:23,440 Speaker 1: area that we're really excited about. UM. You know, i'd 421 00:25:23,480 --> 00:25:28,040 Speaker 1: say gaming I P. Has always been attractive to film 422 00:25:28,040 --> 00:25:32,720 Speaker 1: and television, UM, mostly films sort of historically. UM. I 423 00:25:32,760 --> 00:25:37,840 Speaker 1: think what you're starting to see now is as new 424 00:25:37,960 --> 00:25:43,119 Speaker 1: creators emerge in both mediums, right, as they as they 425 00:25:43,200 --> 00:25:47,879 Speaker 1: mature and grow up, right, Um, they're coming from a 426 00:25:47,920 --> 00:25:52,120 Speaker 1: place where gaming became sort of a steady part of 427 00:25:52,160 --> 00:25:55,560 Speaker 1: their media consumption diet. Right Like you know, growing up, 428 00:25:56,000 --> 00:26:00,480 Speaker 1: I grew up playing games UM. And I think as 429 00:26:00,520 --> 00:26:04,679 Speaker 1: generations mature upward, it becomes less and less of a 430 00:26:04,720 --> 00:26:08,160 Speaker 1: stigma about what games are relative to other medium right. 431 00:26:08,280 --> 00:26:14,040 Speaker 1: I think it's just a natural part of your media intake. UM. 432 00:26:14,160 --> 00:26:17,760 Speaker 1: And so with that, I think has come this mutual 433 00:26:17,800 --> 00:26:24,400 Speaker 1: respect and admiration across both you know, both film, television 434 00:26:24,520 --> 00:26:28,480 Speaker 1: and gaming collectively. UM. And you're starting to see these 435 00:26:28,520 --> 00:26:32,320 Speaker 1: really incredible collaborations happen um. You know, the first that 436 00:26:32,320 --> 00:26:33,800 Speaker 1: comes to mind is the game that I love, The 437 00:26:33,880 --> 00:26:37,240 Speaker 1: Last of Us. You think of someone like Neil Druckman 438 00:26:37,920 --> 00:26:41,879 Speaker 1: pairing up with someone like Craig Mason, UM, and what 439 00:26:42,080 --> 00:26:43,879 Speaker 1: that's going to be? Right? I think there's this like 440 00:26:44,160 --> 00:26:47,840 Speaker 1: mutual respect across both that is going to allow for 441 00:26:47,880 --> 00:26:51,480 Speaker 1: this incredible collaboration to happen. And by the way, just 442 00:26:51,560 --> 00:26:54,040 Speaker 1: last week, I think you saw or a few weeks 443 00:26:54,040 --> 00:26:57,880 Speaker 1: ago you saw Chris Mellowdandry get named to the board 444 00:26:57,880 --> 00:27:02,760 Speaker 1: of Nintendo UM. Right, Chris Meldountry of course runs Illumination UM. 445 00:27:02,920 --> 00:27:05,240 Speaker 1: And so I think you're going to start to see 446 00:27:05,280 --> 00:27:10,719 Speaker 1: a lot of cross polemization from from creators on across 447 00:27:11,040 --> 00:27:14,919 Speaker 1: multiple different vectors who are going to come together and create, 448 00:27:15,240 --> 00:27:19,080 Speaker 1: you know, either new experiences or find ways of adapting 449 00:27:19,680 --> 00:27:23,400 Speaker 1: gaming i P and bringing them to you know, linear 450 00:27:23,520 --> 00:27:27,600 Speaker 1: audiences in a much more authentic way. True. I'm glad 451 00:27:27,600 --> 00:27:29,760 Speaker 1: you brought up The Last of Us. UM. That's a 452 00:27:29,800 --> 00:27:35,800 Speaker 1: particularly huge project coming from HBO and Sony Interactive Entertainment, which, 453 00:27:36,520 --> 00:27:39,880 Speaker 1: through its PlayStation productions banner, has been you know, making 454 00:27:39,880 --> 00:27:41,480 Speaker 1: a really big push to bring a lot of its 455 00:27:41,480 --> 00:27:45,639 Speaker 1: original I P two various film and TV outlets. I 456 00:27:45,680 --> 00:27:50,720 Speaker 1: think another very sort of chaotic development to come from 457 00:27:50,760 --> 00:27:52,920 Speaker 1: this past year was the launch of all these different 458 00:27:52,960 --> 00:27:56,320 Speaker 1: streaming services, you know, before the pandemic and now after it, 459 00:27:56,400 --> 00:28:01,680 Speaker 1: we see NBCUniversal, Warner Media, UH, and more recently Visicom, 460 00:28:01,800 --> 00:28:05,960 Speaker 1: CBS all active in the streaming space with new services. So, 461 00:28:06,200 --> 00:28:09,400 Speaker 1: given that there is such a high demand for content 462 00:28:09,720 --> 00:28:13,280 Speaker 1: right now, has you know, anyone been coming to your 463 00:28:13,359 --> 00:28:17,200 Speaker 1: division looking to see if the gaming i P um 464 00:28:17,240 --> 00:28:20,680 Speaker 1: across your various clients is stuff that could present you know, 465 00:28:20,840 --> 00:28:26,200 Speaker 1: lucrative story opportunities for on visual projects. Yeah. Look, I 466 00:28:26,240 --> 00:28:30,639 Speaker 1: mean the short answer is yes. Um. And as I 467 00:28:30,680 --> 00:28:33,480 Speaker 1: alluded to earlier, I think the thing that's going to 468 00:28:33,600 --> 00:28:37,920 Speaker 1: be most exciting to our clients, UM and certainly two 469 00:28:37,920 --> 00:28:41,520 Speaker 1: i P holders generally, certainly on the gaming side, is 470 00:28:44,400 --> 00:28:47,800 Speaker 1: how how are we going to put together a package 471 00:28:47,840 --> 00:28:50,320 Speaker 1: that's going to be reflective of and be authentic to 472 00:28:50,560 --> 00:28:53,560 Speaker 1: the source material itself? Right? Um, there has been no 473 00:28:53,640 --> 00:28:58,280 Speaker 1: shortage of interest in in gaming i P for years, right. 474 00:28:58,400 --> 00:29:04,320 Speaker 1: I think the advent of these streaming services, you know, 475 00:29:04,320 --> 00:29:08,680 Speaker 1: so the need for content, but also the ability that 476 00:29:08,800 --> 00:29:13,760 Speaker 1: we've seen from the streaming providers themselves to give a 477 00:29:13,800 --> 00:29:18,840 Speaker 1: lot of creative flexibility to their partners is also super interesting, 478 00:29:19,040 --> 00:29:22,920 Speaker 1: you know. I mean, I think the economics are always important, 479 00:29:23,120 --> 00:29:26,560 Speaker 1: but I'd say as important to the economics of all 480 00:29:26,600 --> 00:29:30,680 Speaker 1: this is the quality bar being set at a pretty 481 00:29:30,760 --> 00:29:37,200 Speaker 1: high level um for these exploitations. It's really excited about it. Absolutely, 482 00:29:37,240 --> 00:29:40,560 Speaker 1: there's looking ahead at the universe of gaming. Like like 483 00:29:40,600 --> 00:29:44,440 Speaker 1: I said earlier, Um, it's really it's almost approaching two 484 00:29:44,520 --> 00:29:48,160 Speaker 1: hundred billion dollars in worth for the overall market. Esports 485 00:29:48,160 --> 00:29:53,719 Speaker 1: in particular is projected at just over a billion by 486 00:29:53,760 --> 00:29:58,400 Speaker 1: new Zoo. There's just so much expansion that is really 487 00:29:58,400 --> 00:30:01,720 Speaker 1: still on the way on. You know, as long as 488 00:30:01,800 --> 00:30:04,360 Speaker 1: video games have been around for it, it really seems like, 489 00:30:04,480 --> 00:30:06,240 Speaker 1: you know, we we just kind of we just went 490 00:30:06,280 --> 00:30:08,640 Speaker 1: through the you know, the golden age of television from 491 00:30:09,760 --> 00:30:12,800 Speaker 1: nineteen Basically, it seems like the equivalent of that is 492 00:30:12,840 --> 00:30:14,920 Speaker 1: you know, fast approaching for video games in a way. 493 00:30:15,360 --> 00:30:18,440 Speaker 1: But because video games have such an intrinsic virtual nature, 494 00:30:18,720 --> 00:30:24,840 Speaker 1: it's you know, it's something that does really feel endless. Yeah. Look, 495 00:30:24,840 --> 00:30:29,160 Speaker 1: I mean gaming has been growing at if I have 496 00:30:29,280 --> 00:30:32,000 Speaker 1: my numbers right, it's been growing at eleven. I think 497 00:30:32,400 --> 00:30:35,600 Speaker 1: computed annual growth rate for like over a decade at 498 00:30:35,640 --> 00:30:39,560 Speaker 1: this point. Um, you know, mobile alone last year was 499 00:30:39,600 --> 00:30:43,000 Speaker 1: like seventies six billion dollars. So mobile usually accounts for 500 00:30:43,160 --> 00:30:44,840 Speaker 1: about half of the whole thing, about half of the 501 00:30:44,840 --> 00:30:48,280 Speaker 1: whole thing. Yeah, and you know that's a that's a 502 00:30:48,320 --> 00:30:52,080 Speaker 1: market segment that didn't exist, you know, fourteen years ago. 503 00:30:52,240 --> 00:30:56,040 Speaker 1: So I think as you look at you know, increased 504 00:30:56,080 --> 00:31:03,000 Speaker 1: broadband globally, um, you know, mobile availability five G. You know, 505 00:31:03,320 --> 00:31:10,120 Speaker 1: just an incredible amount of of gaming talent that has 506 00:31:10,160 --> 00:31:15,480 Speaker 1: not just come from um, not just come from cities 507 00:31:15,480 --> 00:31:18,880 Speaker 1: that are well known for for having a high degree 508 00:31:18,920 --> 00:31:22,440 Speaker 1: of gaming companies, you know, cities like Montreal or Toronto 509 00:31:22,480 --> 00:31:26,920 Speaker 1: for instance, or San Francisco, but also from universities, right, 510 00:31:27,000 --> 00:31:30,120 Speaker 1: I mean, don't forget about two decades ago we started 511 00:31:30,160 --> 00:31:34,560 Speaker 1: seeing the creation of university programs across the country, across 512 00:31:34,600 --> 00:31:38,760 Speaker 1: the world that we're training you know, students who had 513 00:31:38,760 --> 00:31:43,160 Speaker 1: a real interest in learning how to make games, UM, 514 00:31:43,200 --> 00:31:46,640 Speaker 1: and they were putting out you know, highly skilled, highly 515 00:31:46,680 --> 00:31:48,880 Speaker 1: talented folks who had a deep understanding of how to 516 00:31:48,880 --> 00:31:53,479 Speaker 1: make games out into this ecosystem. And as a result 517 00:31:53,480 --> 00:31:56,800 Speaker 1: of that, as a result of you know, Epic Games 518 00:31:57,240 --> 00:32:02,080 Speaker 1: and Unity really coming to the forefront of the game 519 00:32:02,120 --> 00:32:06,000 Speaker 1: engine sort of off the shelf technology solution side of things. 520 00:32:06,400 --> 00:32:10,880 Speaker 1: You know, distribution opening up more broadly, whether it was Steam, 521 00:32:11,000 --> 00:32:15,440 Speaker 1: whether it's the console manufacturers sort of opening up their 522 00:32:15,480 --> 00:32:19,120 Speaker 1: distribution capabilities to indie developers. You know, you've just seen 523 00:32:19,200 --> 00:32:24,000 Speaker 1: just this incredible output of games and creativity and innovation 524 00:32:24,640 --> 00:32:28,280 Speaker 1: from you know, small teams. Right, look at the team 525 00:32:28,320 --> 00:32:31,160 Speaker 1: that made among Us is I think four people, um, right, 526 00:32:31,200 --> 00:32:34,480 Speaker 1: based in Seattle, and you know, so you're going to 527 00:32:34,560 --> 00:32:37,680 Speaker 1: continue to see that kind of output. You know, you 528 00:32:37,760 --> 00:32:41,840 Speaker 1: lay your in new platforms, whether it's mobile, as we discussed, um, 529 00:32:41,880 --> 00:32:46,080 Speaker 1: you know, predating that was the social you know social 530 00:32:46,240 --> 00:32:49,920 Speaker 1: social gaming on platforms like Facebook, and you know what's 531 00:32:50,000 --> 00:32:52,920 Speaker 1: up next. I mean a R is gonna is certainly 532 00:32:52,920 --> 00:32:55,840 Speaker 1: going to be relevant. VR continues to be you know, 533 00:32:56,120 --> 00:33:00,840 Speaker 1: really really good, um and I think as those those 534 00:33:00,880 --> 00:33:04,880 Speaker 1: platforms and new platforms emerge, um, you're going to continue 535 00:33:04,880 --> 00:33:08,600 Speaker 1: to see hopefully, um, you know our business continue to 536 00:33:09,840 --> 00:33:13,720 Speaker 1: to grow. Yeah. There, there's definitely so much to look 537 00:33:13,720 --> 00:33:17,400 Speaker 1: forward to. It's yeah, it's really just you can go 538 00:33:17,400 --> 00:33:20,240 Speaker 1: in so many different directions. Anyway, um, I just want 539 00:33:20,240 --> 00:33:22,080 Speaker 1: to thank you for taking the time to stop and 540 00:33:22,160 --> 00:33:24,680 Speaker 1: chat A fear Corey thinks it's been great. I really 541 00:33:24,720 --> 00:33:34,800 Speaker 1: appreciate it. This has been another episode of Strictly Business. 542 00:33:35,120 --> 00:33:37,880 Speaker 1: Come back next week for another helping of compelling conversation 543 00:33:37,920 --> 00:33:40,600 Speaker 1: with media minds leading the industry, and don't forget to 544 00:33:40,640 --> 00:33:43,400 Speaker 1: subscribe to the podcast to stay on top of future episodes. 545 00:33:43,840 --> 00:33:46,200 Speaker 1: Also leave us a review on Apple Podcasts so we 546 00:33:46,200 --> 00:33:47,080 Speaker 1: can hear your feedback.