The DLC Drop Podcast

Entrepreneurs rely a lot on their gut; sometimes, they decide to follow a hunch, and many of those times, they hit the bullseye. Still, there can't be a better decision than the one based on data. Today's guest, Alex Kerr, has been on both sides of the counter in the agency/brand relationship and came up with a solution for the doubts about how much a campaign is worth or how much revenue it can generate. 

Alex is the CEO and co-founder of Trajektory, a startup designed to be the one-stop for all partnerships data. Alex is also an adjunct professor at Northwestern University in Marketing Strategy and Market Research and at Georgetown University in Business Analytics. 

In this episode, Alex shared his entrepreneurial journey, his experiences working on both sides of the brand/agency relationship, and the decision to create a solution in data analytics. He talks about his passion for using data to tell stories and his experiences raising capital to turn his idea into a profitable company.

Plus, we discuss the best ways to pitch an idea to VCs, how to build a core team, a balanced culture, and much more. 

Resources:

Visit Trajektory website: https://www.trajektory.com/

Connect with Alex on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexckerr/

Or send him an email at: [email protected]

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You can have the best boxing coach to teach you how to throw and dodge punches, the best way to walk the ring, and how to train to avoid gassing out during a fight. Still, until you get hit in the face, there is no way to know how you'll assimilate that punch and react to it. Meet Clinton Sparks, a producer and songwriter, Grammy-nominated, multi-platinum DJ, entrepreneur, and author, who, despite learning most things in life the hard way, managed to end on top. 

Clinton wrote and produced songs for Lady Gaga, Beyonce, Rick Ross, Diddy, and Pitbull, to name some of them. He worked on several projects with Eminem, Busta Rhymes, and Kanye West. Clinton is also the co-founder and Chief Business Development Officer of XSET, the world's fastest-growing, most diverse, and inclusive gaming lifestyle brand. 

In this episode, Clinton shared his journey from a troubled childhood to working with the music industry's biggest stars. We talk about the importance of getting our hands dirty to gain experience, the mentality needed to succeed in life, and why most people nowadays aren't willing to put in the necessary reps to experience a career breakthrough. 

We also delve into Clinton's entrepreneurial spirit and connection with video games; he explains why he believes his brain was built to shine in the gaming industry, shares golden nuggets about how to succeed in life, why it is essential to plan for failing, and more.  

Resources:

Visit Clinton's website: https://clintonsparks.com/

Get his book for FREE: How To Win Big In The Music Business: https://www.winbiginmusic.com/free-book46211038.

Or follow him on social media:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/clintonsparks/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/clintonsparks

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/clinton-sparks-158096b7/

Visit XSET's website: https://xset.com/.

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Solving an issue, a community is struggling with is an excellent way of assuring success in that particular space, yet it's not the only way. As long as you get the audience's tone correctly, you can do a great job at entertaining, and you'll still manage to achieve great success.

Felix Lahaye joins us today, among many other things, to help us understand better the intricate relationship between brands and their target audiences. He is the Founder of United Esports and Co-founder of Open Influence (formerly InstaBrand), the first-ever influencer marketing company.

Felix is also a Keynote Speaker, Inc. & Forbes 30 Under 30, and esports and marketing investor.

We have a fantastic conversation about the evolution of influencer marketing, the main differences between its original version and how we know it today, and what makes it successful in today's market. Felix shared bits of his journey, his passion for music and gaming, his unique view on marketing, and the right way to connect with target audiences. Plus, we talk about meltdown bars, a concept that is gaining momentum worldwide and is growing rapidly in the US.

Resources:

Visit the United Esports website: https://www.unitedesports.com/.

Connect with Felix on social media:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/felix-lahaye-a194ba2a/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/felix_lahaye?lang=es

Or send him an email: [email protected].

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Andy Mendez joins us to talk about the importance of supporting esports at the high school level, how it'll make the process of creating endemic people in the space even smoother, and everything students must know to start an esports club at their high schools.

Andy Mendez is the Executive Director of the Illinois High School Esports Association. He is responsible for building the esports space in the Illinois area. He is also an esports coach and host of the Blueprint Podcast.

In this episode, Andy shares his journey in the high school esports space, what got him into it, and how he created opportunities for himself thanks to his passion for gaming and esports. We talked about the process of creating an esports club in high schools; Andy shared some advice for students who want to make one in their high schools and to who they should talk. 

We also dive into why students should promote the creation of esports clubs at their high schools, the connection between STEM-Related careers and gaming, the soft skills esports and gaming teach, and so much more.

Resources:

Visit the Illinois High School Esports Association website: https://www.ihsea.org/.

Or follow them on social media:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IHSEA.org/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ihsea_org

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ihsea_org/

You can also connect with Andy on social media:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andy-mendez117/

Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/abxygg

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Today, we have a special episode broadcasting directly from the metaverse with Allison DeLeone and Reid SantaBarbara. 

Allison is the President and CEO of The Production Network, and Reid is the Co-founder and CEO of Odyssey. Odyssey is a platform created to empower users and brands' presence in the metaverse, design and launch their products, and connect with their audiences. 

In this immersive experience, Allison and Reid showed us around and explained how to interact and enjoy Odyssey's features. We learned how brands can interact with their users, the platform's multiple activations and streaming options, and virtually infinite customization possibilities available for virtual environments and digital identities.

We tasted Odyssey's multi-sensory experiences, discussed the platform's educational opportunities, its approach to creating an inclusive digital space, and much more. 

Resources:

Immerse in Odyssey's website: https://www.odyssey.stream/

Or connect with Allison and Reid on LinkedIn:

Allison DeLeone: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allison-deleone-91938a11/

Reid SantaBarbara: https://www.linkedin.com/in/reid-santabarbara-9a70364b/

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Bennet Newsome joins us today to talk about esports and gaming formal education, streaming, and how to use business education to make a career out of a passion. 

Bennet is the Director of Esports Growth & Development at Full Sail University, a Twitch partner passionate about community building and gaming, co-owner of whereisxur.com, and host of XurWatch on Twitch. Bennet is also a musician, a lifelong gamer, and a tireless advocate for promoting and facilitating opportunities in esports and gaming for high school and college students. 

In this episode, we delve into Bennett's transition from music to esports and gaming, his journey as a facilitator and growth promoter in the gaming and esports space, and his evolution as a streamer and host. Bennett shares details of Full Sail's programs in gaming and esports and the university's approach to the industry's business side.

We also talk about Bennett's experience as a musician and the lessons he learned on the road that helped him in his role at Full Sail, his relationship with gaming and streaming, and much more. 

Resources:

Full Sail University website: https://www.fullsail.edu/.

Full Sail Armada website: https://armada.fullsail.edu/fortress

Where is Xur website: https://whereisxur.com/

XurWatch Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/xurwatch

Connect with Bennet on social media:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bennett-newsome-77467686/

Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@damnitbennett

Twitter: https://twitter.com/damnitbennett?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor

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Son of first-generation immigrants from Nigeria, Jesse Iwuji relied on his grinding and ability to find a solution for every problem to build a prominent future for himself. From competing in Division 1 A College Football to serving in the US Navy, becoming a NASCAR Professional Race Driver, and a multripreneur.

Jesse Iwuji is a NASCAR driver and Team Owner, US Naval Officer, Keynote Speaker, Actor, TV Personality, CEO, Esports Company Owner, and Co-founder of the eRacing Association.

In this episode, Jesse takes us on a fun and exciting journey throughout his childhood and upbringing, how his parents influenced him always to strive to reach his maximum potential, and his relentless attitude of constantly creating opportunities for himself. 

He described how becoming a US Navy official helped him fulfill his dreams of becoming a NASCAR pilot and how his ambition and vision led him to start and own a Team and build an esports association. He also talked about his mission to help others reach their dreams, how he got into sim racing, and much more. 

Resources:

Visit Jesse's website: https://www.jesseiwuji.com/.

Visit the eRacing Association website: https://www.eragaming.gg/.

Or connect with Jesse on social media:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jesseiwuji/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jesse_iwuji/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Jesse_Iwuji

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Jesseiwujiracing

Snapchat: https://www.snapchat.com/add/jesse_iwuji

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5Yt0M8_w1aUNH-I_OMsy7A

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Mike Zweigbaum joins us today to share his experience bringing a successful business model into esports, the secrets of team building, and the perfect blend of passion and business experience that led him to create a successful esports org.

Mike is the CEO and Founder of Wisdom, a gaming company that makes it all, from esports production and content creation to tournament organization and strategic brand activation. They also have their own IPs and Rocke League, Halo, and Apex Legends esports teams.

In this episode, we talk about Mike's journey into esports and his unique path from owning a successful scrap metal company to jumping into the esports and gaming space. He shared the secrets of building successful teams and the importance of creating a sense of belonging.

Mike described his approach to business in general and details what he considers helped him from his previous experiences helped him thrive in the esports space. He also shared his thoughts on what he feels the industry lacks, his perspective on Web3, the metaverse, mobile gaming, and much more.

Resources:

Visit Wisdom Gaming website: https://www.wisdom.gg/

or connect with them on social media:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/WSDMGG

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wsdmgg/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wsdmgg

Follow Mike on social media:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-zweigbaum-19a400169/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/mikezweigbaum?lang=es

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Although many specialists believe VR is the future of gaming and esports, the growth we see in this gaming modality looks relatively slow. So, what is missing? What is keeping VR from going mainstream? Today's guest, Jonathan Ovadia, can certainly help us clear this doubt.

Jonathan is the CEO and Founder of Aexlab Inc, the studio responsible for creating VAIL VR, the world's number one VR esports game. He is also a lifelong gamer, an innovative entrepreneur, and a VR enthusiast. 

In this episode, we immerse ourselves into the VR world; Jonathan shows us the way through VR development and programming, from the hardships of hiring developers who can handle VR to solving VR's programming complicated issues. We explore the differences between programming traditional and VR games and the passion needed to work in VR. Jonathan also talked about Aexlab's creation, VAIL VR, how the project evolved through the years, and the crucial role its community played in its development and success. 

Resources:

Visit Aexlab's website: https://aexlab.com/

Join VAIL VR's Discord: https://discord.com/invite/vailvr

Or connect with Jonathan on social media:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathanovadia/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/j.ovadia/?hl=es

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In today's episode, Gabriel Causse joins us to share his unique perspective on partnerships in esports, the differences between creating partnerships in traditional sports and esports, and how traditional sports teams and franchises can engage with gamers.

Gabriel Causse is the Manager of Business Operations at Magic Gaming and the first esports Partnership Manager in the history of the NBA with the Orlando Magic. Gabriel came from France and got a scholarship to play soccer at Brigham Young University–Hawaii, where he graduated in Sports Management. 

Throughout our conversation, we navigate Gabriel's journey and his experiences coming from France to start a career in sports in America. He shares his thoughts on partnerships and the similarities and differences between the traditional sports and esports space when convincing brands to support esports teams. 

We also discuss how the esports space has changed and evolved, where it is common to find parents now more engaged with gaming and understanding their kids are not "wasting their time" in front of a screen playing video games. Gabriel also shared what he believes is the best strategy for traditional sports teams to engage with gamers, the evolution of conversations about health and wellness in the gaming industry, and more. 

Resources:

Visit the Magic Gaming website: https://magicgaming.nba.com/

or connect with them on social media:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MagicGaming

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/magicgaming/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MagicGaming/

Twitch https://www.twitch.tv/orlandomagicgaming

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4vVVAHcMRD8bCIrwxGWUPg

You can also connect with Gabriel on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabcausse/details/education/.

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