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Revealed: The public’s all-time favourite on-screen characters of film, TV and gaming
gaming
- If search volume equated to Instagram followers, the Joker could charge $102k (£74.5k) for a sponsored post
- Rachel Green has the most Instagram posts hashtagged with her name of all sitcom characters (1 million)
- Pennywise, Chucky and Jigsaw are the most searched-for horror characters
- Games featuring Pikachu rake in highest revenue ($90 billion/£65.9 billion) of all the top gaming characters
There are hundreds of iconic characters from film, TV and gaming who will forever be household names. But which characters are the public’s all-time favourites? New research by Currys looked at online search volumes and social media posts that talked about some of the most famous personalities from various media genres. Below you can find out who topped each list as the most legendary icons of their genre.
The most iconic gaming characters
- If search volume equated to Instagram followers, Sonic could charge $67k (£48.9k) for a sponsored post
- Pikachu has the most Instagram posts hashtagged with his name of all gaming characters (7.4 million)
- Mario has appeared in the most games of all characters (259)
- Total revenue for the Pokemon game series ($90 billion/£65.9 billion) is higher than any other game, with second-placed Mario Bros lagging far behind ($30.3 billion/£22.2 billion)
The world of gaming has transformed over the decades, but is it the high-definition characters of today that are the fan favourites, or the iconic cartoons of decades gone by? The answer appears to be the latter. The ever-so-speedy Sonic the Hedgehog raced to the top of the search volume ranks, followed by Pikachu and Pac-Man. It’s a similar story on Instagram, with Pikachu, Mario and Sonic receiving the most posts.
| Rank | Character | Global Monthly Search volume | No. of Insta posts with name hashtagged |
| 1 | Sonic | 6,700,000 | 3,273,487 |
| 2 | Pikachu | 3,700,000 | 7,430,874 |
| 3 | Pac-man | 3,000,000 | 1,642,920 |
| 4 | Mario | 2,100,000 | 5,559,810 |
| 5 | Big Boss | 712,500 | 2,800,000 |
| 6 | Luigi | 641,200 | 1,300,000 |
| 7 | Lara Croft | 607,700 | 735,000 |
| 8 | Kratos | 571,900 | 654,000 |
| 9 | Yoshi | 556,700 | 1,800,000 |
| 10 | Diablo | 490,900 | 1,100,000 |
The most terrifying horror characters
- If search volume equated to Instagram followers, Pennywise could charge $15k (£10.9k) for a sponsored post
- Pennywise has the most Instagram posts hashtagged with his name of all horror characters (2 million)
- Hannibal Lecter has the highest average IMDb rating (rated 7.2)
Although many of us would probably rather forget some of the most memorable horror characters, the fact that we can’t makes them all the more iconic. Taking first place for search volume and number of Instagram posts is killer clown Pennywise, who has really had a lasting impact on audiences. He’s followed by evil doll Chucky and Saw’s murderous mastermind Jigsaw in terms of search volume, and Dracula and Halloween’s Michael Myers in number of Instagram posts.
| Rank | Character | Global monthly search volume | No. of Insta posts with name hashtagged |
| 1 | Pennywise AKA IT | 1,500,000 | 2,000,000 |
| 2 | Chucky | 1,400,000 | 1,100,000 |
| 3 | Jigsaw | 967,000 | 844,000 |
| 4 | Freddy Krueger | 943,000 | 991,000 |
| 5 | Michael Myers | 798,000 | 1,200,000 |
| 6 | Frankenstein’s Monster | 673,900 | 124,000 |
| 7 | Hannibal Lecter | 635,000 | 332,000 |
| 8 | Dracula | 632,000 | 1,500,000 |
| 9 | Slenderman | 579,500 | 517,000 |
| 10 | Eli | 324,100 | 1,000,000 |
The Best-loved sitcom characters
- If search volume equated to Instagram followers, Mr Bean could charge $11k (£8k) for a sponsored post
- Rachel Green has the most Instagram posts hashtagged with her name of all sitcom characters (1 million)
- Rachel, Monica, Ross and Phoebe from Friends have the joint highest average IMDb rating (rated 8.9)
There have been plenty of memorable sitcoms over the decades, each attracting die-hard fan bases. So, it’s interesting to see that the data reveals a landslide victory for Friends, with the cast beaten only by Mr Bean in search volume. Not only does this suggest that Friends could be the most iconic sitcom of all time, but it also answers the question many Friends fans have been dying to know – who is the most popular ‘Friend’? It turns out the on-screen couple, Ross and Rachel both take the crowns.
| Rank | Character | Global monthly search volume | No. of Insta posts with name hashtagged |
| 1 | Mr Bean | 1,100,000 | 568,000 |
| 2 | Ross Geller | 589,300 | 932,000 |
| 3 | Rachel Green | 509,400 | 1,000,000 |
| 4 | Monica Geller | 491,700 | 969,000 |
| 5 | Joey Tribbiani | 470,000 | 957,000 |
| 6 | Will Smith | 364,000 | 247,000 |
| 7 | Phoebe Buffay | 338,000 | 812,000 |
| 8 | Bart Simpson | 303,000 | 590,000 |
| 9 | Jerry Seinfeld | 273,000 | 125,000 |
| 10 | Homer Simpson | 266,000 | 688,000 |
The most legendary superheroes and villains
- The Joker, Spider-Man and Black Panther are the most searched-for superheroes and villains in the world
- Batman has the most Instagram posts hashtagged with his name of all superheroes and villains (28.2 million)
- Black Panther has the highest average IMDb rating for all films he has featured in (rated 8.1)
Who steals the title as the greatest superhero is a popular topic of debate. As is the Marvel vs. DC Comics rivalry. To settle these disputes once and for all, the data reveals that Batman, and his nemesis the Joker, take the victory as the most-searched-for and posted about characters. But if we’re basing the win on a majority vote, Marvel and DC Comics are neck and neck, with five characters each ranking in the top 10 – leaving the competition very much open between the two market leaders.
| Rank | Character | Global monthly search volume | No. of Insta posts with name hashtagged |
| 1 | Joker | 10,200,000 | 13,700,000 |
| 2 | Spider-Man | 7,200,000 | 20,500,000 |
| 3 | Black Panther | 4,400,000 | 6,000,000 |
| 4 | Wonder Woman | 3,800,000 | 9,300,000 |
| 5 | Iron Man | 3,400,000 | 16,600,000 |
| 6 | Batman | 3,200,000 | 28,200,000 |
| 7 | Harley Quinn | 3,200,000 | 6,600,000 |
| 8 | Thor | 2,800,000 | 10,900,000 |
| 9 | Deadpool | 2,700,000 | 6,100,000 |
| 10 | Aquaman | 2,600,000 | 2,500,000 |
Methodology
The top characters were identified using Google searches for the “top sitcom characters”, etc. From this, a list of approximately 100 characters was curated for each category, which was narrowed down to 15 based on the highest search volumes (found using SEMRush). Instagram hashtag counts are based on the number of posts hashtagged with the characters’ names, e.g. #Sonic, etc. Potential Instagram earnings were calculated by using the search volume for each character as a hypothetical ‘follower count’. With these figures, we calculated an earning per post based on an unspoken industry standard rate of $100 per 10,000 followers. IMDb ratings were calculated by averaging the IMDb rating of all TV shows or films the character has featured in. For gaming, we identified the total number of games the characters have featured in.
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Gaming Corps unveils industry veteran Adam Pentecost as new Director of Customer Success as it lays out its plans for growth in 2025.
Gaming Corps, a publicly listed game studio based in Sweden, is proud to announce the appointment of Adam Pentecost as their new Director of Customer Success. With over a decade of experience in the industry, Adam provides a proven track of helping established providers achieve growth.
Adam has been in the iGaming industry for 11 years, working in key roles for respected providers like 1X2 Network, iSoftbet, Play’n Go, IGT, and Hacksaw Gaming. In three jobs, he held Head of Commercial Account Management roles, managing a global workforce across the UK, Asia, Romania, Sweden, and Malta and reporting directly to C-suite level management and board members.
His time in the industry has seen him amass a wealth of experience in many key areas, including regulated and emerging markets, aggregation distribution, and crypto and streaming operations. He also had a deep knowledge of the constantly evolving North American landscape. These qualities will be valuable assets to Gaming Corps as they continue their global expansion strategy throughout 2025.
Adam will hit the ground running in his new role as he will be responsible for driving revenue and maximising the business performance across the board. During his first few months, he will analyse the status of key relationships, ensuring they are reaching their full potential while also formulating a strategy that will benefit the company’s rapidly growing ecosystem.
With market access and distribution at an all-time high and a dramatically expanded product roadmap emphasising innovation, Gaming Corps’ appointment of Adam Pentecost is perfectly timed to build on this momentum.
Adam Pentecost, Director of Customer Success, said: “I am excited to join Gaming Corps at such a pivotal time in their journey. It has some incredibly ambitious expansion plans, and I am eager to roll up my sleeves and help make them a reality.
“With over a decade’s worth of experience behind me, I am well aware of the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. The team and I share a vision of what we can achieve, and I look forward to working alongside my new colleagues at Gaming Corps to help take the company to new heights.”
Alex Lorimer, Gaming Corps COO, said: “Adam’s extensive experience and proven track record make him the perfect match for Gaming Corps’ plans for 2025 and beyond. He is a respected figure within the industry, and he will be able to leverage his extensive network of contacts and industry expertise to help accelerate growth across the board. Adam is the latest piece in a collaborative jigsaw that continues to solidify our position as a leading game studio.”
The post Adam Pentecost Joins Gaming Corps as Director of Customer Success appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
ADG
Arizona Boxing and Mixed Martial Arts Commissioner, Joe Pennington, Retiring After 24 Years of Service
After serving over 24 years as a Commissioner on the Arizona Boxing and Mixed Martial Arts (“MMA”) Commission, Joe Pennington presided over his final commission meeting on Wednesday, February 19, 2025. Pennington was appointed to the Arizona Boxing and MMA Commission in 2001 by Governor Jane Hull and served under the next four administrations of Janet Napolitano, Jan Brewer, Doug Ducey, and Katie Hobbs.
During his tenure, Commissioner Pennington played a key role in strengthening safety protocols for fighters and reinforcing Arizona’s position as a leader in combat sports regulation. He is most proud of the Commission’s commitment to combatant safety, exemplified by the adoption of the concussion protocol and testing, the passage of 581679, the Boxing/MMA Omnibus Bill, in 2024, and the adoption of rules for Boxing, MMA, Kickboxing, Muay Thai, and Tough Man competitions. Last fall, the Arizona Boxing & MMA Commission was recognized as “Commission of the Year” at the North American Boxing Federation Awards Banquet for its regulatory efforts.
“It has been a pleasure to work alongside Commissioner Pennington over the last few years,” said Danny Vella, Executive Director of ADG’s Boxing and MMA Division. “I am grateful for his nearly two and a half decades of dedicated service and commitment to enhancing combat sports regulation in Arizona. I wish Mr. Pennington the best in his retirement and look forward to the continued impact of his tremendous contributions.”
“On behalf of the Arizona Department of Gaming, I want to extend our deepest gratitude to Commissioner Joe Pennington for his unwavering dedication and service to the Boxing & Mixed Martial Arts community in Arizona,” said Director Jackie Johnson, ADG. “Through multiple administrations, his commitment to integrity, fairness, and the growth of combat sports has left a lasting impact on the industry and the state. We thank him for his years of leadership and public service.”
Serving in his final commission meeting, Commissioner Pennington was presented a commendation from Executive Director Vella on behalf of Governor Katie Hobbs, receiving well wishes from several attendees of the Arizona Boxing and MMA Commission meeting on Wednesday, February 19, 2025, The Department and its staff wish Mr. Pennington a joyous and adventurous retirement, and we are forever grateful for his 24 years of service to combat sports safety and regulation in Arizona.
The post Arizona Boxing and Mixed Martial Arts Commissioner, Joe Pennington, Retiring After 24 Years of Service appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
The agreement signed between MGA Games, a leading provider of slots and casino games, and the operator Betano has resulted in the launch of 51 titles for the Portuguese and Belgian markets. Betano, one of the most prominent online casinos worldwide and part of the international Kaizen group, has entrusted the Spanish provider with the release of these new products, which include 3-reel slots, 5-reel slots, Megaways, and video bingos.
Among the 28 titles already available in Portugal are high-grossing games such as Popeye Caça Tesouros and the Portuguese Celebrities collection, an innovative series of slots featuring renowned figures from the country. Characters like chef Chef Chakall, DJ Diego Miranda, and other well-known personalities such as football legend Paulo Futre and TV star Teresa Guilherme provide a 100% localized experience.
MGA Games’ entry into the Belgian market has materialized with the launch of 23 slots, including hits like The Explosive Bandit and The Wizard Cat. With this move, the Spanish company strengthens its international presence and offers Belgian players an innovative gaming experience.
“This launch on Betano Portugal and Belgium reinforces our presence in the market and allows us to offer our games to a broader audience through a top-tier operator. We are confident that the combination of our technology and content, along with Betano’s expertise, will be a resounding success,” said Javier Lanfranchi, Commercial Director of MGA Games.
The post Betano, a Global Leading Operator, Launches MGA Games Content in Portugal and Belgium appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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