Hey there, gamers! 🎮 Welcome to my blog all about esports sponsorship and branding. As someone who loves esports and has been following it for years, I’ve seen firsthand how much the industry has grown. But with growth comes competition, and that’s why sponsors and branding are so important in the world of esports. In this blog, I’m going to take a deep dive into the major partnerships and marketing strategies that have helped some of the biggest esports teams and players gain worldwide recognition. Let’s get started!

Partnerships in Esports

One of the most important aspects of esports sponsorship is partnerships. A partnership is a collaboration between a company or organization and an esports team or player. The partnership provides financial support as well as exposure for the sponsor. In return, the team or player represents the brand and promotes it to their large and dedicated fanbase.

Major League Gaming (MLG) and G Fuel

One of the most successful esports partnerships is between Major League Gaming (MLG) and G Fuel. G Fuel is an energy drink made specifically for gamers, and MLG is an esports organization that hosts some of the biggest tournaments in the industry. This partnership has been incredibly successful because it makes perfect sense. By teaming up with G Fuel, MLG is providing its players with the energy and focus they need to compete. G Fuel, in turn, gets access to MLG’s massive audience of passionate gamers.

A can of G Fuel energy drink with an MLG logo on it

Astro Gaming and OpTic Gaming

Another great example of a successful esports partnership is Astro Gaming and OpTic Gaming. Astro Gaming is a company that makes high-quality gaming headsets, and OpTic Gaming is a professional esports team that has been around since 2006. This partnership is successful because Astro Gaming has invested heavily in the gaming community, and OpTic Gaming is one of the most popular and successful teams in esports. The partnership has resulted in customized headsets for players, promotional videos, and tons of exposure for both brands.

An OpTic Gaming player wearing an Astro Gaming headset

Branding in Esports

Another key aspect of esports sponsorship is branding. Branding refers to the way a company or organization presents itself to the public, and it’s extremely important in esports because it helps to differentiate one team or player from another.

The Importance of Consistent Branding

Consistent branding is crucial in esports because it helps to establish a team or player’s identity. This includes everything from team logos to social media accounts. By maintaining a consistent look and feel, teams and players can create a strong brand that is easily recognizable to their fans.

The Evolution of Branding in Esports

Over the years, branding in esports has evolved significantly. In the early days of esports, branding was simple and straightforward. Teams had logos and maybe a website, but that was about it. Now, branding is much more complex. Teams and players have extensive social media presences, merchandise lines, and partnerships with major companies. Branding has become an essential part of esports and is vital to a team or player’s success.

A comparison of two esports team logos, one from the early days of esports and one from modern times

Marketing Strategies in Esports

The final piece of the esports sponsorship puzzle is marketing. Marketing strategies are used to promote teams and players, and they can take many forms. Here are a few examples:

Content Marketing

Content marketing is a strategy that involves creating and sharing valuable content with the goal of building a relationship with an audience. In esports, content marketing can take many forms, including video content, written content, and visual content. By providing fans with regular, high-quality content, teams and players can attract new fans and keep existing ones engaged.

Influencer Marketing

Influencer marketing is a strategy that involves partnering with influencers (people with large followings on social media) to promote a brand or product. In esports, influencers can include players, streamers, and even other esports teams. By partnering with influencers, teams and players can reach new audiences and gain new fans.

Event Marketing

Event marketing is a strategy that involves hosting or sponsoring events with the goal of promoting a brand or product. In esports, events can include everything from small meetups to major tournaments. By participating in events, teams and players can make connections with fans and other industry professionals and gain exposure for their brand.

A tweet from an esports team promoting an upcoming event

Conclusion

And that’s a wrap!🎉 By now, you should have a solid understanding of the major partnerships and marketing strategies that have helped some of the biggest esports teams and players gain recognition and success in the industry. Remember, partnerships, branding, and marketing are all essential components of esports sponsorship, and each plays a critical role in a team or player’s success. Thank you for reading, and happy gaming!

An image of a gaming setup with a strong esports brand presence (multiple team jerseys, signage, etc.)