Guess who's back? Back again....

Esports back? Tell a friend....

Greetings, neanderthals. 

It’s been a while. 

Life has been a little manic. Since we last spoke! My lovely partner has agreed to my hand in marriage (subscribers are more likely to be invited to the wedding of the century). I’ve moved to East Derbyshire, and a gorgeous Cockapoo (Ronnie) will join our loving family before the end of February. 

Blimey, Ollie, that’s all a bit adult, right? 

Absolutely, but he’s so beautiful. 

A lot has happened in the esports betting world since we last caught up. The events that stand out are, without a doubt, Unikrn and Luckbox. 

What do the two have in common with the ‘esports winter’?

They’re two mismanaged brands by suits who haven’t a scooby-doo what they’re doing, attempting to capture a market that doesn’t exist. 

The esports betting market is fascinating. Top-tier operators don’t believe in any semblance of esports investment. Average-to-poor supplier-side products claiming they’re better than they are, and empty promises of the new ‘boom’ in betting have consistently delivered piss-poor results. 

Entain bucked the trend with  $50 million splash for asset-stripped, SEC-fined esports brand Unikrn before taking it off the market for a year and employing 15 handsome chaps from the States to revive a brand that was never really breathing. 

They proceeded to push the Brazilian brand, by acquiring all-but-Brazil-stream sponsorship of a CS:GO event. Brazilian language adverts blared during English programming ad breaks whilst the Brazilian stream adorned the logo of GG.Bet, a competitor. It honestly summed up the pitiful approach. 

Why on earth would anyone bother with esports? 

“My margins on badminton are better. Pickleball is going to rip up the American betting scene.”

Get a grip. Esports audiences continue to grow. The product is getting there. The audience is the only demographic you continue to lack. 

Sadly, that new Fishin’ Frenzy slot game won’t attract the gambler of the future. An average esports product, coupled with a cheap tailored marketing approach? Bingo. 

But I’ve been saying that for years. Doesn’t matter, might as well keep pissing away money on extortionate CPA when there’s a swathe of consumers waiting for someone not to alienate and belittle them.

Esprouts is back.

This newsletter will be weekly (at a minimum). 

I have plenty of capacity for freelance work, from copywriting through to consultancy. Want to learn more, or make it work? Reach out: oliver.adam.ring@gmail.com