The DLC Drop Podcast

Although brands' approach to traditional sports teams and events is different from how they do it in the esports space, the result of just slapping a logo into something without providing value to the community is the same. It won't impact the community nor get any financial benefit from it. 

Joining us today is Brett Diamond, COO of Version1 and Minnesota RØKKR. Brett spent over 15 years in the traditional sports industry, serving as Senior Manager of Events at the NFL and Director of Partnership Strategy at the Minnesota Vikings. 

Our conversation revolves around the similarities and differences between advertising and sponsorship in traditional sports and esports events. Brett shared his thoughts on the different treatment but the same result for brands advertising without providing value in traditional sports and esports, the importance of live events for the esports space, and how crucial it is to enhance attendants' experiences to run successful live events. We also talk about the role and benefits the Esports Trade Association represents to the industry, Version1 stance on inclusion in esports and gaming, the decision of hiring an entirely feminine roster, and the creation of VersionX.

Resources:

Visit Version1 website: https://version1.gg/

Visit Minnesota RØKKR website: https://rokkr.callofdutyleague.com/en-us/

or connect with Brett on social media:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brett-diamond-03505a4/details/experience/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Diamond_Sota

This episode is sponsored by Ice Shaker! Grab your own custom DLC Drop Ice Shaker at: https://www.IceShaker.com/DLCDrop

And make sure you use the code DLCDrop to save 20% off ALL Ice Shaker Products.

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Growing up, our guest, Dale Alexander, was shocked when he knew people were paid to create those commercial breaks short movies. For him, advertising was as entertaining as the movies and the sitcoms he was watching. 

Fast forward some years, and after over 20 years working with creativity, Dale's eyes light up the same way when he needs to come up with an idea, whether it is for a multi-billion dollar company or helping out a friend with their terrible folk album. 

Dale Alexander is the Creative Lead at Zelus. For the past 20 years, Dale worked as Creative Director of UPROAR!, Group Concept Director at The Marketing Arm, and VP Creative of the Dallas Mavericks. 

In this episode, we go through some of Dale's biggest learnings throughout his career in marketing and advertising. We learn about NFTs, the irruption of new technologies, and how they modify the way society interacts, works, and evolves. We also dive into the future of marketing and branding, the importance of leaders creating space for their teams to speak their minds and share their thoughts, and more. 

Resources:

You can connect with Dale on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dalealexander/

This episode is sponsored by Ice Shaker! Grab your own custom DLC Drop Ice Shaker at: https://www.IceShaker.com/DLCDrop

And make sure you use the code DLCDrop to save 20% off ALL Ice Shaker Products.

Taxed on first 80% of the revenue

Joining us today is Vinny Minichiello, recently incorporated as a Supervisor in Digital Activations of Gaming & Esports at Zero Code. Vinny brings an interesting three-tiered approach for endemic and non-endemic brands into esports and gaming. He believes that brands should aim at three main objectives, be known first, be understood later, and finally, be loved by the community. 

Coming from the traditional sports industry, where he worked with the Elmira Jackals and the Arizona Coyotes, Vinny transitioned to the gaming industry, where he, identified as a gamer, believes he can add more value and be involved in projects more aligned with his core values. 

In this episode, we talk about activations from the agency, the brand, and the production side, the industry's struggles in connecting with the skeptical gaming community, and the challenges of partnerships and sponsorships in esports events. Vinny also shares details of his journey in the traditional sports and the gaming industry, and we discuss the new marketing opportunities COVID brought to the gaming scene. 

Resources:

Visit Omnicom Media Group website: https://omnicommediagroup.com/

Connect with Vinny on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vminichiello/details/experience/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/vinichiello

or Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vinichiello/

This episode is sponsored by Ice Shaker! Grab your own custom DLC Drop Ice Shaker at: https://www.IceShaker.com/DLCDrop

And make sure you use the code DLCDrop to save 20% off ALL Ice Shaker Products.

Taxed on first 80% of the revenue

In the early 2000s, becoming a Raid Leader and a Guild Master helped our guest, Michael "Moog" Aguilar, overcome not only his introverted nature but also his social anxiety. It also taught him how important it is for any community to feel wanted and welcomed, regardless of whatever adjective society puts over their heads. 

Fast forward many years, when the University of Oklahoma journey started for Michael, he knew the epicenter of anything he would build must be the community. He took the burden of trying to satisfy gamers' needs; whether they were causals, competitive, Animal Crossing, or Halo, he would listen and make space for them, physical or digital.

Michael Aguilar is the Director of Esports & Co-Curricular Innovation at the University of Oklahoma and the Esports Curriculum Developer & Adjunct Instructor at Gaylord College of Journalism and Mass Communication. Michael holds a Bachelor's degree in Information Technology and an MBA in Technology Management Focus from the University of Phoenix.

We had a fantastic conversation about the gaming community, gaming and esports' career paths opportunities, and the University of Oklahoma's six pillars of intention in which they based their gaming and esports programs. We also discuss the importance of vulnerability in leadership, the keys to building an engaged community that feels heard and seen, esports and gaming degrees, and how challenging it is for him to be the translator between the university's administrators and students gamers. 

Resources:

Visit Esports & Gaming at OU website: https://www.ou.edu/esports

Follow them on all social media platforms:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ouesports1

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

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/ouesports

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ouesports

Or connect with Michael on:

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

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

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

This episode is sponsored by Ice Shaker! Grab your own custom DLC Drop Ice Shaker at: https://www.IceShaker.com/DLCDrop

And make sure you use the code DLCDrop to save 20% off ALL Ice Shaker Products

Taxed on first 80% of the revenue

One of the main obstacles brands and marketers find when investing in a content creator is the lack of data. Companies don't know precisely what is working and what is not, so they don't know whether to invest more in a campaign or pivot and try a different strategy. 

Our guest, Adam Whyte, created a solution for what has been a pain point across the board in the gaming industry. His company, Edge, ensures reliable data to brands, marketers, and shareholders about how their campaign is performing and, at the same time, facilitates payments to creators and influencers. 

Adam Whyte is the Founder and CEO of Edge, a company that connects data and insights to smart contracts and payments that everyone can rely on, or, in his own words, the Uber for creators. 

Our conversation spins around Edge's revolutionary concept and input into the industry, the ups and downs in the entrepreneurial journey, the power of believing in our vision as entrepreneurs, the fear of failure and success, and the power of authenticity. Adam shared his experiences with getting investors for his company, the importance of building the right mindset, and how crucial it is to set clear expectations with investors, clients, and ourselves. 

Resources:

Visit Edge's website: https://www.edge.gg/

Follow them on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/edgegroup/

or Twitter: https://twitter.com/EdgeTechGG

You can also connect with Adam on

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/edgewhyte/?originalSubdomain=uk

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/edgewhyte

This episode is sponsored by Ice Shaker! Grab your own custom DLC Drop Ice Shaker at: https://www.IceShaker.com/DLCDrop

And make sure you use the code DLCDrop to save 20% off ALL Ice Shaker Products

Taxed on first 80% of the revenue

Today's episode is a bit different for many reasons. I'm joined by Chris Gronkowski, former NFL player, Founder & CEO of our first sponsor, Ice Shaker, and the participant of one of ABC's Shark Tank most viewed episodes, where he landed a deal for $150k for a 15% stake with Mark Cuban and Alex Rodriguez.

Our conversation revolves around three major topics: Chris's experiences as an NFL player, the decision to start his business and how it exploded after Shark Tank, and how his gamer past helped him open the gates of the industry to Ice Shaker. 

We delve into the details of what it takes to become an NFL player, the pros and cons from a financial standpoint, the risks, and the devastating effects on players' mental and physical health. Chris shared details of his experience at ABC's Shark Tank and learned lessons as an entrepreneur. Chris also talked about his past as a Halo and Counter Striker player and how he realized his product was a perfect fit for gamers. 

Resources:

Visit Ice Shaker website: https://www.iceshaker.com/

Or follow them on their socials.

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/iceshakerbottle

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaL_vSjJLMe5C5sX-GRCh1w

Pinterest: https://ar.pinterest.com/ChrisGronkowskiCEOIceShaker/

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

Connect with Chris on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-gronkowski-053374124/

or follow him on Twitter: https://twitter.com/Chrisgronkowski

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/discover/chris-gronkowski

or Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chrisgronkowski/

This episode is sponsored by Ice Shaker! Grab your own custom DLC Drop Ice Shaker at: https://www.IceShaker.com/DLCDrop

And make sure you use the code DLCDrop to save 20% off ALL Ice Shaker Products

Taxed on first 80% of the revenue

Except for the obvious difference in the physical output traditional sports requires from their athletes, the training programs for traditional sports and competitive gaming athletes are pretty similar. When putting together training programs for traditional sports and esports athletes, our guest, Taylor Johnson, focuses on five focal points: psychological, physiological, cultural, neurological, and tactical. 

However, when working with gamers, Taylor makes sure he also works their cardiovascular fitness for longevity and cognitive performance. 

Taylor Johnson is a Performance Optimization Coach, Project Manager, Speaker, Author, and Founder of Taylor Johnson Performance, LLC. He worked with the San Francisco 49ers as a Performance Coach before jumping into the esports space, where he had his first experience as VP of Performance at Infinite Esports & Entertainment. 

Throughout this episode, we go through the similarities and differences between the preparation of traditional sports and esports athletes. We also discuss the difference between purpose and goals and why it is crucial to discover our purpose. Taylor shared his thoughts on the importance of focusing on building productive habits, being present, incorporating breathing routines into our lives, journaling as a method of being accountable for our actions, and more. 

Resources:

Visit Taylor Johnson Performance's website: https://www.taylorjohnsonperformance.com/

Follow Taylor on Twitter: https://twitter.com/coacht_johnson

on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coacht_johnson/

or connect with him on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/taylorjohnsonperformance/details/experience/

This episode is sponsored by Ice Shaker! Grab your own custom DLC Drop Ice Shaker at: https://www.IceShaker.com/DLCDrop

And make sure you use the code DLCDrop to save 20% off ALL Ice Shaker Products!

Taxed on first 80% of the revenue

If back in 2005 someone would tell us that a complete stranger would pick us up in his car to take us where we wanted to go, or that people would rent a room in their house to a stranger they met online from the other side of the world, we would probably don't believe it. Still, Uber and Airbnb are companies fully integrated into our lives nowadays. 

The service our guest, Bob Miles, offers is perhaps as disruptive as the businesses mentioned above, but that will most likely become commonplace for most gamers in the next couple of years. 

Bob Miles is the Founder and CEO of Salad Technologies, a company that offers gamers rewards for sharing their idle PCs. Bob also co-founded caMetric, an IoT startup; he worked as Product Manager at Proxima and Head of Product at Teal Drones. 

In this episode, we delve into Bob's fascinating journey into technology and entrepreneurship. Bob shared his experiences developing a waste-powered fuel that became a sailing adventure around Australia, filmed and produced by Netflix. We also talk about managing a company, hiring and letting people go, the relationship between younger generations and digital assets, and the pros and cons of having technology so ingrained into our lives. Bob also talked about Salad Technologies' mission, goals, the projection for the following years, the metaverse, and much more. 

Resources:

Visit Salad Technologies website: https://salad.com/

or connect with Bob on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/milesbob/

This episode is sponsored by Ice Shaker! Grab your own custom DLC Drop Ice Shaker at: www.IceShaker.com/DLCdrop

And make sure you use the code DLCDrop to save 20% off ALL Ice Shaker Products!

Taxed on first 80% of the revenue

There are so many paths into the gaming industry, perhaps, as there are gamers in the world. The access points are constantly redefined by gamers' passion, creativity, and, like in our guest's case, the urge to build a community. 

Our guest, Jonathon Oudthone, went from hardcore gamer to the Founder and President of Esports Stadium Arlington, the largest dedicated esports facility in the US, moved purely by his desire of building a gaming community. 

In this episode, Jonathon shares bits of his incredible journey, how he discovered, in a time where social media didn't offer vast opportunities to connect, the existence of other gamers. Plus he discovered that they were also striving for connection. He also took us through becoming a competitive gamer and then deciding to leave competitive gaming and dedicate his time and effort to streaming content. Jonathon also shared the process he went through from deciding to build a community and the details of founding and directing the Esports Stadium Arlington. 

Resources:

Connect with Jonathon on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathonoudthone/

or follow him on Twitter: https://twitter.com/solidxpanda

This episode is sponsored by Ice Shaker! Grab your own custom DLC Drop Ice Shaker at: https://www.IceShaker.com/DLCDrop

And make sure you use the code DLCDrop to save 20% off ALL Ice Shaker Products!

Taxed on first 80% of the revenue

In an industry as skeptical as the gaming industry, being the interpreter between two groups of people that need but can't talk to each other is a rare and priceless skill. Our guest, Jay Hairston, is one of those few people in the industry who fluently speaks both languages, the one companies and brands talk, and, as a gamer himself, the one spoken by esports athletes and gamers. 

Jay Hairston is currently the Social Director at Mogul, a customer-centric esports tournament hosting platform. He worked as Director of Social Media and as a Community Manager at Envy, and as a Global Community Manager at Funimation. 

In this episode, Jay shares how he got in touch with the world of special needs, where he spent several years helping kids with physical and cognitive disabilities to learn skills so they can be productive members of society and integrate into the community. 

We go through Jay's journey into the gaming industry, his experiences in public speaking, and the importance of understanding what brands want and need and translating it into the language that the gaming community speaks. We also talk about the cancel culture, the gaming community's skepticism, and Jay's top tips for getting into the gaming industry.

Resources:

Visit Mogul website: http://esh.mogul.gg/

Follow them on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/esportsmogul/

Add them into your Facebook's friends list: https://www.facebook.com/MogulOfficialGG

You can connect with Jay on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jayhairston/

Taxed on first 80% of the revenue