eSports
Mercedes-Benz to become the exclusive automotive partner of all global LoL Esports events
The Stuttgart-based luxury brand is set to become the exclusive automotive partner of all global League of Legends Esports events of Riot Games. This was announced today by Bettina Fetzer, Vice President Marketing Mercedes-Benz AG, during the 2020 League of Legends World Championship Preview Event. The partnership will focus on the League of Legends community and will feature Mercedes-Benz as the presenting sponsor of the Trophy Ceremony at global events — the pinnacle of sporting success for LoL pro teams.
The tenth edition of the 2020 LoL Esports World Championship, or 2020 Worlds for short, will take place in Shanghai from 25 September to 31 October. The first major global sports event in China since the coronavirus pandemic marks not only the tenth anniversary of the Worlds, but also the beginning of the global partnership between Riot Games and Mercedes-Benz. Hints about the partnership were given to the community in advance. Attentive observers had already recognised the Mercedes-Benz GLA and the Mercedes-Benz EQC (combined power consumption: 21.3-20.2 kWh/100 km, combined CO2Ā emissions: 0 g/km)Ā¹in the official Worlds anthem video, released on 17 September. It was a hot topic in the community. Mercedes-Benz responded immediatelyĀ on social media, where Bettina Fetzer, Vice President Marketing Mercedes-Benz AG, sat in an EQC with the Summoner’s Cup on the front passenger seat and said in dialogue with MBUX: “Hey Mercedes, guide me to Shanghai!”
Bettina Fetzer officially announced the partnership today at the Worlds 2020 Preview Event, hosted by Riot Games from Los Angeles. Mercedes-Benz is now the exclusive automotive partner of the three global events of League of Legends: the Mid-Season Invitational, Worlds, and the All-Star Event. In doing so, the automotive brand bearing the three-pointed star is elevating the existing sponsorship of the Chinese League of Legends, the so-called LPL, to a global level.
“We decided to partner with Riot Games because we strongly believe in esports”, says Bettina Fetzer, Vice President Marketing Mercedes-Benz AG: “League of Legends is one of the most popular games in recent years. By partnering with Riot Games at the global level, we want to participate even more actively than before in shaping the future of esports and inspire fans about our brand in a playful dialog”.
Mercedes-Benz begins the partnership with the motto “Icons of a new generation” and in doing so looks back on ten years of League of Legends Esports World Championship. Mercedes-Benz underlines the notion of community first at the start of Worlds and during the event issues Mercedes-Benz-branded Hextech Chests ā virtual surprise boxes with coveted in-game items. Furthermore, plans call for using creative and innovative approaches to produce and provide exclusive content for fans during the Worlds. By doing so, Mercedes-Benz intends to interact with millions of connected fans around the globe and to actively participate in shaping Worlds through constant engagement.
āAs the first luxury automotive brand to embrace esports at a global scale, Mercedes-Benz has developed a deep understanding of the unrelenting passion fueling the game and the League of Legends esports community,ā said Naz Aletaha, Head of Global Esports Partnerships, Riot Games. āMercedes has been synonymous with excellence for nearly a century, and we are excited to combine our shared appetite for innovation to bring great sporting moments to the global League of Legends stageā.
In addition, theĀ TV spotĀ that impressively fuses the world of LoL Esports with the real world celebrated its world premiere at the media event. In the spot, the viewer meets both famous esports heroines and heroes as well as a number of the most popular League of Legends characters. Only the interaction of all the players makes the line-up an unbeatable team and therewith “Icons of a new generation”.
The commitment to esports and the creation of added value is also made tangible by a host of other measures. Mercedes-Benz will from now on present the trophy ceremonies at all three global events, bring a new broadcast segment in the most important global event streams to the homes of fans and pay lasting tribute to esports in general and the League of Legends community in particular with additional integrations and creative communication activities.
Asia
8Bit Creatives partners with NODWIN Gaming as the exclusive talent partner for DreamHack India
8BitĀ Creatives, Indiaās leading esports consulting and talent management agency, has announced its partnership with NODWIN Gaming, a leader in new-age youth entertainment, gaming, and esports, as the exclusive Talent Partner for DreamHack India 2024.
With this partnership, 8Bit Creatives will leverage its significant reach in the Indian gaming, esports and youth communities through its prominent and talented roster of creators. These creators will create content leading up to the festival and also host meet-and-greet sessions.
India’s biggest gaming festival, DreamHack India, is set to take place from 15th to 17th November at the Hitex Exhibition Centre in Hyderabad, marking its fifth edition. For half a decade, the India edition of the global festival has become one of the most anticipated events of the Indian gaming ecosystem. Bringing together a plethora of events, including esports tournaments, BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) events, cosplay competitions, music concerts, and stand-up comedy, DreamHack India is the celebration of gaming, esports, pop-culture, and entertainment.
8BitĀ Creatives, CEO and founder Animesh Agarwal saidĀ āDreamHack India is one of the most prominent events in the Indian gaming and esports calendar and weāre proud to be the exclusive talent partners for it. This is further recognition of 8Bit Creativesā ability to meaningfully engage the gaming and youth audiences across the country. Our belief in working with the right creators who create experiences that resonate with the youth audiences distinguishes our offerings and we canāt wait to share what we have in store for DreamHack India 2024 with our audiences!ā
This is not the first time that 8Bit Creatives will partner with DreamHack India. The organisation was also the talent partner for the event in 2022.
Commenting on the partnership, NODWIN Gaming, Co-founder and MD Akshat Rathee said “Our vision at NODWIN Gaming is to create unforgettable experiences for the youth, and DreamHack has proven to be the ultimate platform to realise that vision, bringing together gaming, entertainment, and community in an immersive celebration. Weāre thrilled to have 8Bit Creatives as our exclusive Talent Partner for DreamHack India 2024. Itās especially exciting to welcome iconic creators like Mortal, who joined us in our very first edition, back for this landmark fifth year, alongside fan favourites like Snax, Kaashvi, Thug, and Payal. These creators bring a unique energy that connects deeply with our fans and elevates every moment. Their presence underscores our commitment to crafting electrifying experiences year after year, building on the momentum of events like BGMS and past DreamHack editions. Together with 8Bit and this powerhouse lineup, weāre setting the stage for an unforgettable event that will bring fans and creators closer than ever before!”
8BitĀ Creativesās content and esports division S8UL became the only organisation in the year to winĀ āContent Group of the Yearā award for the third consecutive year at the Esports Awards 2024. Additionally, they are the only organisation from India to ever win an Esports Award in any category. Earlier this year, gaming content creators from 8Bit Creatives including Naman Mathur, Payal Dhare and Animesh āThugā Agarwal were invited for a meet and greet session with the honourable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi.
The organisation has been at the forefront of India’s gaming and content ecosystem with its extensive range of services, including talent management, campaign curation and execution, brand activations and more.
Aquisitions/Mergers
Gladiators Esports acquires Gods Reign in one of Indian esportsā biggest moves; signs Gujarat Titans Rising champions BGMI Team
Marking one of the most significant acquisitions in the Indian esports landscape, Gladiators Esports has officially acquired Bengaluru-based Gods Reign to unite two of the nationās leading esports entities.
As part of this acquisition, Gladiators Esports will integrate the Gods Reign into its operations, with Gods Reign retaining its name for the esports team while all other verticals, including content creation and marketing will be under the banner of Gladiators Esports. This consolidation aims to streamline operations, strengthen brand identity, and leverage the combined resources of both entities.
Speaking on the acquisition, Gladiators Esports stated, āWe are thrilled to welcome Gods Reign into the Gladiators Esports family. This acquisition reflects our commitment to elevating Indian esports and driving its growth. By integrating the renowned Gods Reign brand and its talented roster, we are not only broadening our reach and influence but also creating a nurturing space for our players and creators to excel. This marks an exciting new chapter, and we eagerly look forward to shaping a bright future for Indian esports.ā
In line with this transition, Gods Reign has onboarded one of India’s most decorated Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI) lineups, featuring star players who have consistently proven themselves on the biggest stages and have multiple major accolades to their name.
āThis acquisition by Gladiators Esports represents a pivotal step for both Gods Reign and the Indian esports ecosystem. By combining our expertise, experience, and shared vision for advancing Indian esports, we are poised to deliver unmatched experiences and achievements. Our new BGMI roster, featuring both seasoned talent and fresh perspectives, embodies the high level of competition weāre committed to bringing. Through this strategic move, we aim to amplify opportunities for our athletes, engage our community in exciting new ways, and elevate Indian esports on the global stage,ā said Rohith KR, CEO of Gods Reign.
The team will be led by In-Game Leader (IGL) Ammar Khan (Destro), joined by his former teammates Justin Nadar (Justin) and Parth Garg (DeltaPG). Together, this trio has proven to be a formidable force in official tournaments last year, capturing the BGMI Series (BGIS) 2023 title and BGMI Masters Series (BGMS) 2023 and earning runner-up position in BGMI Pro Series (BMPS) 2023.
Strengthening the roster further is Shubham Ranjan Sahoo (NinjaJOD), who clinched the BGIS 2024 championship and was a runner-up at last yearās India-Korea Invitational. Former BGMI athlete Robin Singh (Robin), who recently led Destro, Justin, DeltaPG, and NinjaJOD to victory in the Titans Rising tournament hosted by the Gujarat Titans cricket team, will be coaching this skilled lineup.
The newly assembled team, which had a combined prize pool earnings of approximately INR 2.5 crores ($276,703) in FY23, brings fresh potential to build on their impressive track record and aim for even higher accolades in the upcoming tournaments.
āHaving previously played with these talented players and achieved success together, returning to Gods Reign feels like a true homecoming and itās an honour to reunite under this banner. This acquisition unites some of Indiaās top esports talent, all of whom are dedicated to constant improvement and focused on victory. With our combined strengths and support, we hope to set new benchmarks in BGMI and demonstrate our potential on both national and international stages,ā commented Ammar Khan aka Destro, IGL of Gods Reign.
In addition to its esports rosters in Counter-Strike 2, PokĆ©mon UNITE, and BGMI, Gods Reign is also home to some of India’s top gaming creators, including Thor Gaming, Harshdeep Singh, Red Parasite, Miss Senorita, AJ Jeffy and many others. Collectively, they boast over 6 million YouTube subscribers and more than 1 million Instagram followers.
Together, Gladiators Esports and Gods Reign are ready to make waves in Indiaās rapidly growing content creation and esports ecosystems.
Asia
Red Bull, Nissin Cup Noodles, and Kreo Join College Rivals Season 2 as Associate Sponsors
India’s premier college esports and gaming talent hunt, College Rivals, has secured three major Associate Sponsors for its highly anticipated Season 2. Nissin Cup Noodles, Red Bull, and Kreo have all come on board to support the Ampverse DMI-conducted event, each contributing their distinct energy and enthusiasm, as the official Energy Partner, Snacking Partner, and Kreative Partner, respectively.
College Rivals Season 2, featuring participation from over 2,00,000 students across various competitions, offers a prize pool of INR 50,00,000 and a prestigious professional gaming contract. Having kicked off in July 2024, the championship will continue in the following months before culminating with a Grand Finale scheduled for the first quarter of 2025.
āWeāre thrilled to welcome top brands like Nissin Cup Noodles, Red Bull, and Kreo to College Rivals Season 2, which has grown exponentially this time around and is bigger and better than ever. These incredible partners will further enhance the student experience with immersive gaming, exciting activities, and creative engagements, adding new energy and thrill as we continue to inspire college-going students to engage with esports and gaming opportunities,ā said Ashwin Haryani, Country Head, Ampverse DMI.
Red Bull, returning to College Rivals after a successful first season, brings extra excitement with their racing simulators and product samples in interactive zones, giving students a taste of the fast-paced energy of Esports. Nissin Cup Noodles, the eventās Snacking Partner, is bringing a flavorful twist to the action. With wet product sampling of their instant noodles, Nissin Cup Noodles seamlessly blends snack breaks with gaming.
Meanwhile, with their branded gaming peripherals, Kreative Partner Kreo is hosting interactive activities such as typing tests and giveaways, inviting students to engage with top-tier gaming gear at the countryās biggest collegiate gaming event.
āWeāre absolutely fired up to be part of College Rivals Season 2! The energy is electric, with thousands of students from all over the country bringing their A-game. The fast-paced action, intense competition, and pure thrill of gaming make this event a perfect match for Nissin Cup Noodles which is the go-to snacking option for gamersā said Varun Oberoi – Vice President, Head of Marketing and Corporate Communications, Indo Nissin Foods.
Having expanded to 20+ cities and 58+ colleges, College Rivals Season 2 is engaging 11,00,000 students across India, providing the ideal stage to connect with brands that resonate with them. Nissin Cup Noodles satisfies with its instant snacks, Red Bull keeps the energy high with its action-packed drinks, and Kreo connects creative minds with top-tier gaming gear.
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