eSports

Minute Media, Spotify and SRI execs launch agency to help gaming and esports scaleups

Published

5 years ago

March 17, 2021

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Former execs from Minute Media, Spotify and SRI have joined forces to launch Reset, a specialist group that tackles business challenges in gaming and esports. The collective will provide consulting and agency services to rights holders, brands, and investors across the industry.

Responsible for operating teams such as London Spitfire, and having helped dozens of non-endemic brands activate in esports, Reset aims to provide C-Suite in a box solutions to help scaling gaming companies, brands, publishers, platforms and more.

Reset, the specialised agency group focused on the gaming industry, launched. Reset’s unique offering focuses on helping gaming companies turn their investments into stable businesses, provide organisational design and interim operational support, and helps brands activate in gaming with accurate data and measurable results. The Reset team already has a proven track record for its services having supported clients such as Samsung, Kia, BT and Duracell, esports teams London Spitfire and Ellevens, and tournament operators including BLAST and FACEIT in the last year.

Reset was Co-Founded by four executives from the worlds of gaming, sport, media & entertainment: Duncan McMonagle, who has spent two decades working with global brands and rights-holders across sports and gaming, most notably as CRO at Minute Media, where he launched the companies esports platform DBLTAP. He is joined by Ben Brown, veteran of Accenture, Universal Music and Spotify; as well as Chris Jordan and Charlie Stebbings, who together co-founded the leading esports executive search practice at SRI.

Reset has already made key hires starting with Mike Murphy O’Reilly, former Head of Gaming & Esports at Minute Media who joins as Reset’s new Commercial Director. Murphy O’ Reilly brings with him years of experience working on brand partnerships with clients including Kia, H&M, Warner-Bros, Activision-Blizzard and many others.

Taking their extensive gaming and esports credentials enhanced by broader sports and entertainment experience, it is the combination of Reset’s services that makes them a unique solution for companies looking to grow in the gaming industry.

Esports and gaming is flush with companies that are well funded but yet to find the right model to become a commercial success. Reset aims to turn investment into successful businesses by creating structures for growth including business model development, revenue strategy, investor market entry, and more.

For brands, Reset provides strategy, partner identification and creative services to cut through the noise. Leveraging years of experience helping brands activate in gaming with rights holders and content creators, the team believes traditional agencies have struggled to keep up with the pace of change, and understand opportunities in the industry to properly service clients and engage fans. Reset aims to steer clients away from narratives that set false expectations and instead offer transparency, education and proven execution.

Finally, Reset offers Leadership Advisory services to the entire industry, helping companies develop a long term ‘fit for purpose’ structure for their business, taking commercial and operational execution to the next level. The team will offer services such as interim leadership, organisational design and operational support, that will see the team step in to fill the gaps whilst providing advice around permanent needs to help companies grow.

“At Reset, we are fiercely pragmatic and dedicated to results, not just theory,” said Co-Founder & Director, Charlie Stebbings. “Whether you need strategy for new ventures or commercial growth in an existing business, we can support you with interim leadership, partnerships, capital investment management, creative concept development, marketing intelligence and much more.”

“Our vision is to elevate gaming as a commercial property and develop a sustainable ecosystem. One where fans are prioritised, endemic players have sustainable business models, advertisers reach and engage the right audiences, and investors can deploy capital with confidence,” added Duncan McMonagle.

For the past 9 Months Reset has been managing all operations for the Overwatch League Team, London Spitfire. David Harris, Managing Director of Guinevere Capital said:

“Having worked with individual members of Reset in their previous roles across the industry, it’s exciting to see this group come together to service the sector. Over the past year with limitations on travel, they have provided an amazing turn key service for both operational and commercial support on the ground in the UK. They know the industry and key stakeholders meaning they have been able to pick up and run with everything from London Spitfire watch parties & co-streams, to merchandise logistics and go to market sales collateral. They’ve assisted us launching training academies and liaised with University programs working up and down the chain from grassroots to elite level working directly with publishers. We have had no hesitation referring Reset on to work with other groups in the industry and look forward to continuing our relationship in 2021.”

eSports

Yalla Group Announces Strategic Partnership with Saudi Esports Federation

Published

3 days ago

February 3, 2026

Wladimir P.

yalla-group-announces-strategic-partnership-with-saudi-esports-federation

Yalla Group Limited, the largest Middle East and North Africa (MENA)-based online social networking and gaming company, has announced a strategic partnership with the Saudi Esports Federation (SEF) to drive the continued expansion of Saudi Arabia’s national esports ecosystem, broaden opportunities for local talent and promote greater inclusivity in competitive gaming. The partnership represents a key element of Yalla’s strategy to deepen engagement in Saudi Arabia, one of the region’s most important growth markets.

Supporting the aims of Vision 2030 and the National Gaming and Esports Strategy, SEF and Yalla Group signed two Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) to further develop esports within the Kingdom and establish new pathways for aspiring talent to develop key skills and experience.

Under the partnership agreements, Yalla has been appointed Official Event Partner of the Saudi eLeague (SEL) 2026, the Kingdom’s premier national esports competition. Support for the Women’s Saudi eLeague will be a key focus of the partnership, aligning with Yalla’s dedication to promote inclusion, community development and broader participation in digital entertainment. By cultivating female talent and establishing structured pathways for women’s participation in competitive esports, Yalla aims to contribute to the growth and vitality of Saudi Arabia’s gaming sector.

In addition, Yalla will launch a talent development programme in collaboration with the SEF’s Saudi Esports Academy, designed to foster local esports talent through training, mentorship and competitive experience. The initiative aims to strengthen foundational talent pipelines and improve the long-term competitiveness of Saudi Arabia’s esports ecosystem.

Saifi Ismail, President of Yalla Group, said: “This partnership marks an important step in our engagement with Saudi Arabia’s esports sector. By supporting both national competitions and talent development, we are proud to contribute to the sustainable growth of the Kingdom’s gaming ecosystem.”

“Partnering with a MENA leader like Yalla Group brings valuable regional expertise to the Saudi eLeague. This collaboration is crucial for amplifying the league’s prestige and ensuring it delivers a world-class experience for players and fans,” said Ibrahim Alsheddi, Chief Shared Services Officer at the Saudi Esports Federation.

The post Yalla Group Announces Strategic Partnership with Saudi Esports Federation appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

eSports

Martin Lycka Joins Oddin.gg as Vice President of Institutional Affairs

Published

3 days ago

February 3, 2026

Wladimir P.

martin-lycka-joins-oddin.gg-as-vice-president-of-institutional-affairs

Oddin.gg has named Martin Lycka as Vice President of Institutional Affairs, enhancing the firm’s knowledge in regulation and responsible gambling as esports wagering grows in regulated markets worldwide.

Lycka offers over 15 years of high-level regulatory and responsible gambling expertise in Europe, North America, and Latin America. Most recently, he held the position of Senior Vice President for American Regulatory Affairs and Responsible Gambling at Entain, where he directed regulatory strategy throughout the Americas and oversaw global esports regulatory issues. He additionally sits on the Board of Directors for the American Gaming Association.

Before joining Entain, Lycka had high-level regulatory positions at GVC Holdings and Paddy Power Betfair, overseeing licensing initiatives and regulatory strategy in various jurisdictions.

In his new position at Oddin.gg, Lycka will collaborate with regulators, policymakers, publishers, tournament organizers, and integrity bodies, making sure the company’s esports betting solutions keep up with changing compliance standards. Situated on the U.S. East Coast, Lycka will aid the company’s growth into more regulated markets worldwide, with this new role highlighting the increasing industry need for suppliers with substantial institutional trustworthiness.

Martin Lycka, VP Institutional Affairs at Oddin.gg, said: “Esports betting has experienced significant development within fully regulated environments. This has been the outcome of proactive engagement, education, transparency, and open dialogue with regulators. Oddin.gg, as an industry pioneer, has built its approach around those principles, and I’m looking forward to supporting the company as it scales across many more global markets.”

Marek Suchar, Co-Founder and Managing Director at Oddin.gg, added: “As esports betting continues to scale, institutional credibility becomes just as important as product quality. Martin brings deep regulatory experience and a practical understanding of what regulators seek to become comfortable with innovative betting products. His appointment strengthens our ability to engage constructively with regulators, addressing integrity, governance, and technological concerns, and to support partners operating in complex regulatory environments.”

The post Martin Lycka Joins Oddin.gg as Vice President of Institutional Affairs appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

2026 summit

HIPTHER Prague Summit Unveils 50% of Its Dynamic 2026 Agenda

Published

6 days ago

January 30, 2026

Wladimir P.

hipther-prague-summit-unveils-50%-of-its-dynamic-2026-agenda

The HIPTHER Prague Summit is shaping up to be one of the most comprehensive events of the year, with an agenda that reflects the fast-evolving landscape of iGaming, fintech, compliance, AI, media, and beyond. With four distinct stages and content spanning two days, the summit promises high-impact insights, cutting-edge knowledge sharing, and actionable strategies for stakeholders across the digital industries.

While only half the agenda has been released so far, what’s already on the table reveals an ambitious and future-forward program. Attendees can expect the remaining schedule—focused on the Expert Panel Stage and HIPTHER Academy—to further raise the bar with industry-leading panels and advanced learning formats.

Stage 1: Compliance & Regulation

This track offers a robust dive into both regional and global regulatory trends, aimed at compliance professionals, legal experts, and decision-makers navigating complex frameworks.

Day 1 will focus on market updates, regulators’ panels, and regional compliance outlooks. Highlights include a Czech Market update, a panel featuring European regulators, and regional overviews from Germany and the Balkans.

Day 2 expands into the global picture, covering enforcement trends, jurisdiction updates from Southern Europe, the USA, and LatAm, and a deep-dive GLI session on certification and trust. The day wraps with an IMGL-led masterclass exploring the intersection of AI, automation, and accountability.

Stage 2: Expert Panels Stage

This track is a powerhouse of innovation-focused dialogue.

Day 1 will feature panels on iGaming, fintech, AI, media, SEO, esports, and business growth. Industry disruptors and thought leaders will gather to unpack the trends driving momentum across verticals.

Day 2 will turn the spotlight to deep-dive panels with operators, suppliers, and advisors sharing battle-tested strategies, future bets, and lessons from scaling globally.

Stage 3: Main Focus Stage

This stage is split into two powerful themes across both days.

Day 1 is the Keynote Arena, with standout talks on branding, visibility, growth, and deal-making. Sessions like “LinkedIn as a Dealflow Engine” and “Branding in the Attention Economy” offer tactical insights for companies looking to sharpen their competitive edge.

Stage 4: HIPTHER Academy

Designed for hands-on learning and skill development, this stage blends education with real-world application.

Day 1 offers masterclasses, workshops, and practical learning sessions, setting the tone for deep engagement.

Day 2 will feature advanced education formats, including certification-oriented sessions, ideal for professionals looking to level up with verified credentials.

Don’t Miss Out – Secure Your Spot Now

With limited availability and high interest across the industry, now is the perfect time to register. Be among the first to access cutting-edge insights, connect with top-tier professionals, and help shape the future of digital industries.

Register today for HIPTHER Prague Summit 2026 and be part of the conversation that drives the next wave of innovation.

The post HIPTHER Prague Summit Unveils 50% of Its Dynamic 2026 Agenda appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.