eSports
KAIROS GROUP ACQUIRES GAMING AND ESPORTS ORGANISATION HORIZON UNION
GLOBAL gaming media company, Kairos Group, has acquired gaming and esports organisation, Horizon Union (Horizon).
The latest organisation to join Kairos Group, which is also home to Kairos Media, Kyma Media, Turopium Sports and Entertainment and Kairos Ventures, Horizon will be managed and operated out of its base in Manchester.
Founded by Kieran Wood and Will Mollett in 2017, Horizon has grown to house over 35+ creators who drive and deliver content via an always-on strategy. Working alongside global brands such as GFUEL, Boost Gaming and ChampionUS, the organisation operates on the core principles of working closely with creators to provide strategic business value, within various verticals in the gaming world.
Horizon entered the esports space in January 2022 with the acquisition of esports team Top Dogs, competing in the APEX Legends Global Series (ALGS) league. With the UK esports industry continuing to show extensive growth, Horizon is hyper focused on continuing to develop and nurture grassroot competitive talent as well as establishing stature.
Alongside founding Horizon both Kieran and Will worked at Kairos Media for two years, with Kieran as an account manager and Will as a campaign manager.
Commenting on the acquisition, co-founder and operations and commercial lead at Horizon, Kieran Wood, said: “Working with the Kairos Group team for nearly 2 years has been nothing short of a life changing experience, both professionally and personally.
“The level of progression and development from working at Kairos Media and Horizon simultaneously has worked hand in hand to creating a sustainable and profitable organisation in Horizon.
“I could not be prouder of what we’ve achieved so far but we’ve still got a long way to go. Horizon’s future is looking very strong, with even more partners and creators joining and more esports ventures in the pipeline and we can’t wait to begin this next phase under the Kairos Group umbrella. “
Co-founder and talent and partnerships lead, Will Mollett, added: “A journey with Horizon that began in 2017 is now merely just the beginning come 2022.
“Working with Kairos Group is nothing short of a phenomenal opportunity for growth, not only as an organisation but also for our creators, who are always at the forefront of Horizon. Surrounding ourselves with like-minded individuals, who know the space better than anybody else, assists in all areas to the highest degree. The future is bright and I cannot wait to get started.”
Founded in 2015, Kairos Group has offices in the UK (London and Manchester), with teams also in Germany, France and the USA. The group has worked with some of the largest, most exciting brands in the world, including Facebook, Epic Games, KFC, JBL and Porsche.
Drew Townley, CGO of Kairos Group and managing director of Kairos Media, said: “Will and Kieran have been some of the brightest minds and hardest workers at Kairos Media since they joined. The opportunity for Kairos Group to support a journey, that I have no doubt they would have excelled at regardless, was too good to turn down.
“It adds a completely new pillar to the Group with a gaming organisation itself, with ambitions to do esports the right way in the UK and beyond. We already have some of the most forward thinking brands on this journey with us and Horizon only adds to the incredible offering for any partner.”
eSports
WEC24: PUBG MOBILE Tournament Concludes with Outstanding Success
The PUBG MOBILE tournament at WEC24 has officially wrapped up, delivering three days of competition that exceeded all expectations. With 10 out of 16 teams securing Chicken Dinners throughout the tournament, every map brought its own excitement, with the final rounds determining the champions and medal placements. We saw impressive viewership numbers with 776,454 unique viewers achieving 89,675 hours watched throughout the three days of competition.
On the competitive front, the Indonesian team set a WEC24 record by securing a Chicken Dinner with an astonishing 18 eliminations, packing a remarkable 28-point round.
Turkey stepped up to claim the title of WEC24 PUBG MOBILE Champions, delivering a fierce, precise performance and seizing the trophy in the final maps, a true champions’ style victory.
Congratulations are also due to Ukraine, who came very close to securing the gold. Consistent and determined to win, they kept fans and their nation on edge until the final rounds, ultimately securing the silver medal. Brazil took home the bronze, showcasing exceptional talent and positioning themselves as strong contenders for future titles.
Igor Nedeski, Esports Manager at IESF, praised the athletes, the tournament’s success, and the ongoing collaboration with Tencent: “The PUBG MOBILE tournaments have been one of the highlights of WEC for years now, and our ongoing collaboration and support from Tencent has played a huge role in its success. Congratulations to the medalists and to all athletes participating for their remarkable WEC24 performance.”
Micah Li, Senior Esports Manager at Tencent, “Congratulations to Turkey on becoming the WEC24 PUBG MOBILE Champions. We greatly value our partnership with IESF and the success we have achieved together over the years. We look forward to continuing this collaboration and delivering many more exceptional PUBG MOBILE tournaments in the future.”
With the PUBG MOBILE tournament concluded, IESF looks forward to further PUBG MOBILE competitions, as national teams from around the world improve year by year.
eSports
Mortal cements his name as face of Indian gaming, wins ‘Content Creator of the Year’ at global Esports Awards 2024
Naman Mathur, popularly known as Mortal, has added another feather to his illustrious cap by winning the coveted ‘Content Creator of the Year’ award at the Global Esports Awards 2024 Part 2 in Los Angeles on Friday. The grand ceremony saw Mortal triumph over globally renowned gamers like Tarik Celik, Ibai Llanos Garatea, and Marc ‘Caedrel’ Lamont, solidifying his stature as India’s biggest gamer.
Mortal’s groundbreaking victory marks a significant milestone not only in his personal journey but also for the Indian gaming community at large. The 27-year-old’s illustrious gaming career boasts numerous accolades, including championship titles in BMPS Season 1 (2022) and the PUBG Mobile Club Open (2019) as an esports athlete. He has amassed over 7 million subscribers on YouTube and more than 5.3 million followers on Instagram through his distinctive and impactful content, making him one of India’s most influential gaming personalities.
Speaking on this remarkable achievement, Naman Mathur aka Mortal, Co-founder, S8UL Esports, stated, “Winning this award is an incredible moment of pride, not just for me but for the entire Indian gaming and esports community. My journey began with a simple passion for gaming, and seeing that passion resonate with millions of people is truly humbling. I hope this achievement inspires more young gamers to chase their dreams and believe that they too can earn global recognition through dedication and hard work. I am deeply grateful to S8UL for being the backbone of my journey. This success is not mine alone- it belongs to every fan, every teammate, and every supporter who believed in me and in the potential of Indian esports.”
This was Mortal’s sixth consecutive nomination at the prestigious awards, a feat achieved by no other Indian gamer. Having been nominated for various categories over the years such as ‘Esports Mobile Player of the Year’, ‘Streamer of the Year’ and ‘Esports Personality of the Year’, Mortal’s victory in this edition is a testament to his immense contribution to growing the esports and gaming content ecosystem in India.
“This award holds a deeply personal meaning for me. Watching Mortal achieve this recognition feels like a shared victory- one that takes me back to where it all began. From the late nights to the sacrifices, every moment has led us here. Together, we’re not just creating history; we’re shaping the future of gaming and esports globally. A victory for him, a milestone for Indian esports!” said Animesh Agarwal aka 8Bit Thug, Co-founder, S8UL Esports.
The Esports Awards is the most prestigious night in esports, dedicated to showcasing top-tier performance and innovation from players, teams, media, hardware providers, games, events, and personalities within the scene.
“When we first started this journey, we had no idea how far it would take us, but we always knew we were in this together. Mortal has always been like a brother to me, and seeing him win this award feels like a personal achievement. For him to be honoured with this accolade today is a reflection of the countless hours, effort and heart we’ve poured into building who we are and what we stand for,” commented Lokesh ‘Goldy’ Jain, Co-founder, S8UL Esports.
Mortal’s achievement reaffirms India’s rise as a formidable force in the global esports and gaming content landscape.
eSports
The World Esports Summit 2024 Is Here!
The IESF World Esports Summit returns this December to Busan, South Korea. Hosted at the Busan Esports Arena (BRENA) from December 5-6, the Summit will bring together prominent figures from Esports, global brands, government officials, and sports executives for a deep dive into the current Esports trends, its rapid transformations, and future challenges.
This year’s theme, “Building Bridges, Not Barriers, Through the Power of Esports,” will highlight the role of Esports in uniting cultures, ideas, and industries. Under the slogan “We Empower Success,” the
Summit provides a great platform for Esports experts to engage in meaningful discussions and sessions, sharing their insights on trends and presenting forward-looking ideas for our industry.
The event, strategically timed at the close of the competitive season, presents a perfect environment for reflection on the year’s biggest events, industry shifts, and the next steps for Esports. Attendees can follow the expert’s perspectives on topics like:
- (R)Evolution in Esports
- East Meets West
- Esports Integrity: The Role of Referees
- The Rise of International Esports Competitions
- (In Korean) Korea’s Secret Sauce etc.
Also, featured at this year’s event are the IESF World Esports Training Camp and the World Esports Referee Academy.
These are very important IESF programs that are aimed at advancing the skills and professional standards of the next generation of Esports leaders.
Join us in Busan for two days designed to inspire, connect, and empower the international Esports community.
Registration for the World Esports Summit is free and open to all interested attendees.
To register, please complete our online registration form: iesf.formstack.com/forms/wes2024_participation_registration
See you in Busan!
-
Latest News2 days ago
Make every pixel personal: Opera GX facelift lets you match your browser to your setup down to the smallest detail
-
Latest News2 days ago
Casino Management System Market to Reach USD 29.09 Billion by 2032 | Enhanced Security and Operational Efficiency Drive Growth | Research by S&S Insider
-
Latest News2 days ago
Fast Track Celebrates Third Year as a Great Place to Work Certified™ Tech Company
-
Latest News7 days ago
Exploring the Strategic Benefits of Cashback Programs with Bojoko CEO Joonas Karhu
-
Africa4 days ago
South Africa: Tribunal Grants Lottoland Interim Relief – Orders Google to Grant Lottoland Access to its Advertising Platform
-
Financial reports7 days ago
SharpLink Gaming Announces Third Quarter 2024 Financial Results
-
Latest News2 days ago
ACR POKER ADDS BLITZ BONUS BOOST TO NOVEMBER CALENDAR AS $20 MILLION GTD WINTER OSS ENTERS FINAL DAYS
-
Latest News2 days ago
IBIA Upgrades Technology Platform to Strengthen Global Betting Integrity Efforts