Level Up Podcast with Tommy Knapp

If you live in Orlando, you might recognize today’s podcast guest! Bennett Newsome is the Esports Strategist at Full Sail University and a long-time Twitch Partner. He's been with Full Sail University for more than 12 years, and as the university’s Esports Strategist, he is helping to build Full Sail's gaming culture.

As soon as we started talking, Newsome’s passion, knowledge, and expertise showed. He discussed the groundbreaking changes in console design as gaming and technology advanced. Then, we talked about his days in the music scene. He played rhythm guitar, and he was a backup vocalist in a number of bands. He spent years touring and playing gigs all over the country.

After discussing music, we talked about streaming and gaming. He educated me on how he became a Twitch partner. We also discussed the collegiate scene’s biggest and best esports facility, the nuts and bolts of gaming fundraisers, and so much more.

The Ultimate Gamer Podcast: All About The Game! is a show that features conversations with trailblazers, thought leaders, risk takers, decision makers, celebrities, athletes, and investors who are defining the esports space.

This podcast is for you if you love gaming, you’re a part of the esports community, you’re interested in learning more about the esports business, you want to improve your gaming performance, or you’re an aspiring professional gamer.

We’re going to decode who and what’s making news in the industry while we explore the habits, best practices, successes, and setbacks faced by our guests.

Our discussion with Crystal Mills was an insightful one! She is a Writer for the Esports Insider & Benzinga, as well as Host of the Podcast Power Level. The Esports Insider, founded in 2016 and based in London, presents the latest news from across the esports industry. It covers interviews, events, opinion pieces, and more. 

 Mills started by talking about her busy writing career, which she juggles with another full-time occupation in pediatric surgery. Her love for games started at a young age. She enjoyed playing a wide range of titles, and she eventually started a blog around 2010 to merge gaming with her love for writing. 

 She parlayed her writing skills into roles with both Benzinga & Esports Insider. Today, Mills is one of the most prominent esports writers sharing her expertise with the industry. 

 The Ultimate Gamer Podcast: All About The Game! is a show that features conversations with trailblazers, thought leaders, risk takers, decision makers, celebrities, athletes, and investors who are defining the esports space.  

This podcast is for you if you love gaming, you’re a part of the esports community, you’re interested in learning more about the esports business, you want to improve your gaming performance, or you’re an aspiring professional gamer. 

 We’re going to decode who and what’s making news in the industry while we explore the habits, best practices, successes, and setbacks faced by our guests.

Want to know if it’s legal? Talk to Evan Kubes. He’s the Co-Founder of MKM Group, a Toronto-based global law firm and management agency dedicated exclusively to esports and content creators. He is also the President of Rumble Gaming, an industry leading talent agency that specializes in bridging the gap between brands and the esports and gaming ecosystem.

First, we talked about Kubes’ gaming habits while he studied for law degrees at the University of Windsor and the University of Detroit simultaneously. Then, we discussed the firm’s and agency’s entry into the marketplace and how they quickly scaled as investments in esports exploded in late 2018. The company’s give and support philosophy attracted nearly 350 clients in just two years.

The Ultimate Gamer Podcast: All About The Game! is a show that features conversations with trailblazers, thought leaders, risk takers, decision makers, celebrities, athletes, and investors who are defining the esports space.

This podcast is for you if you love gaming, you’re a part of the esports community, you’re interested in learning more about the esports business, you want to improve your gaming performance, or you’re an aspiring professional gamer.

We’re going to decode who and what’s making news in the industry while we explore the habits, best practices, successes, and setbacks faced by our guests.

In today’s episode, we caught up with Matt Hillman, the Founding Partner of Cut + Sew, a collaborative team of multi-hyphenates who are pushing the boundaries of the modern marketing agency, and z0ned Gaming, a full-service creative agency and venture studio built at the intersection of gaming and culture.

First, we talked about the Philly scene and the inspiration behind Cut + Sew. We discussed the pivot from real-life events to the digital event format, and then Matt talked about the boom in charity events they have supported and helped produce since the COVID-19 pandemic. Finally, we discussed career opportunities in gaming, specifically on content platforms like Twitch.

The Ultimate Gamer Podcast: All About The Game! is a show that features conversations with trailblazers, thought leaders, risk takers, decision makers, celebrities, athletes, and investors who are defining the esports space.

This podcast is for you if you love gaming, you’re a part of the esports community, you’re interested in learning more about the esports business, you want to improve your gaming performance, or you’re an aspiring professional gamer.

We’re going to decode who and what’s making news in the industry while we explore the habits, best practices, successes, and setbacks faced by our guests.

In our latest episode, we sat down with Todd Harris, CEO of Skillshot Media, an esports community building organization that operates both online and offline competitions, as

well as production, management, and integration of brand partners.

We took a deep dive into the production capabilities of Skillshot Media, and Harris really demonstrated his knowledge of computer science, software programming, and the blending of right and left brain functioning in game development. Finally, we talked about collegiate esports and the gamer’s vote initiative. This show is packed!

The Ultimate Gamer Podcast: All About The Game! is a show that features conversations with trailblazers, thought leaders, risk takers, decision makers, celebrities, athletes, and investors who are defining the esports space.

This podcast is for you if you love gaming, you’re a part of the esports community, you’re interested in learning more about the esports business, you want to improve your gaming performance, or you’re an aspiring professional gamer.

We’re going to decode who and what’s making news in the industry while we explore the habits, best practices, successes, and setbacks faced by our guests.

The Ultimate Gamer Podcast: All About The Game! is a show that features conversations with trailblazers, thought leaders, risk takers, decision makers, celebrities, athletes, and investors who are defining the esports space.

This podcast is for you if you love gaming, you’re a part of the esports community, you’re interested in learning more about the esports business, you want to improve your gaming performance, or you’re an aspiring professional gamer.

We’re going to decode who and what’s making news in the industry while we explore the habits, best practices, successes, and setbacks faced by our guests.

Markel Lee is Co-Owner and Chief Creative Officer at AoE Creative. He was a finalist for the Tempest Up-And-Comer of the Year Award and was the creative power behind OpTic Gaming, The Houston Outlaws, PVP Live, EVO, and Panda x Gaming. He is also a founding member of Infinite Esports & Entertainment and the Houston Outlaws. 

  In today’s episode, we talk about the process of building a brand from the creative brief to the mood board, logo, and style guide. After taking us through the stories of many of the biggest brands in esports, we end on his love for the space. Listen in!  

The Ultimate Gamer Podcast: All About The Game! is a show that features conversations with trailblazers, thought leaders, risk takers, decision makers, celebrities, athletes, and investors who are defining the esports space.  

This podcast is for you if you love gaming, you’re a part of the esports community, you’re interested in learning more about the esports business, you want to improve your gaming performance, or you’re an aspiring professional gamer. 

 We’re going to decode who and what’s making news in the industry while we explore the habits, best practices, successes, and setbacks faced by our guests.

If you want to learn more about the intersection of esports and media, Erin Ashley Simon is the person to talk to! She is a TV Anchor and Host of the Grass Routes Podcast. She was co-host of Cheddar Esports, a daily esports and gaming show. She is currently signed to CAA as a media journalist and content strategist. Hear about her experience in today’s podcast episode!

The Ultimate Gamer Podcast: All About The Game! is a show that features conversations with trailblazers, thought leaders, risk takers, decision makers, celebrities, athletes, and investors who are defining the esports space.

This podcast is for you if you love gaming, you’re a part of the esports community, you’re interested in learning more about the esports business, you want to improve your gaming performance, or you’re an aspiring professional gamer.

We’re going to decode who and what’s making news in the industry while we explore the habits, best practices, successes, and setbacks faced by our guests.

Few people know the business of esports as well as Chris Chaney. He is Founder and CEO of C4+, a global venture studio and investment company committed to entrepreneurship and focused on sports, entertainment, esports, and gaming. He’s driven by the process and

a burning passion to make a difference in the industry. If you want to learn more about the industry of esports, tune into our conversation!

The Ultimate Gamer Podcast: All About The Game! is a show that features conversations with trailblazers, thought leaders, risk takers, decision makers, celebrities, athletes, and investors who are defining the esports space.

This podcast is for you if you love gaming, you’re a part of the esports community, you’re interested in learning more about the esports business, you want to improve your gaming performance, or you’re an aspiring professional gamer.

We’re going to decode who and what’s making news in the industry while we explore the habits, best practices, successes, and setbacks faced by our guests.

Looking for a cool new gaming spot? Talk to Allie Young, Founder & CEO of Axis Replay, a 12,000 square ft. recreational technical venue designed for daily gaming, coworking for tech companies, and esports/high-tech conferences and events. On our show, Young and I discussed Axis Replay, Esports week, and diversity and inclusion in the esports industry. Listen in!

The Ultimate Gamer Podcast: All About The Game! is a show that features conversations with trailblazers, thought leaders, risk takers, decision makers, celebrities, athletes, and investors who are defining the esports space.

This podcast is for you if you love gaming, you’re a part of the esports community, you’re interested in learning more about the esports business, you want to improve your gaming performance, or you’re an aspiring professional gamer.

We’re going to decode who and what’s making news in the industry while we explore the habits, best practices, successes, and setbacks faced by our guests.