One Championship announces new eSports joint venture with Dentsu Group
Singapore-based mixed martial arts organisation One Championship and Dentsu Group will launch an eSports joint venture in 2019.
To be called ‘One eSports’, the likes of Razer and Singtel have also signed a memorandum of understandings with the JV.
To be called ‘One eSports’, the likes of Razer and Singtel have also signed a memorandum of understanding with the joint venture. One Championship also intends to lead a plan to invest up to US$50 million alongside other key partners into One eSports.
Dentsu, which is the marketing partner of the Japan eSports Union (JeSU), will organise One eSports' events across Japan, as well as provide strategic marketing formulation and sponsorships around the world.
One eSports will work with Razer to explore joint marketing opportunities using Team Razer eSports athletes, as well as One Championship athletes to drive communication and engagement to all martial arts fans and gamers across Asia. Razer will also provide its technical and payment expertise.
“It is with great excitement that I announce One eSports, Asia's largest global eSports Championship Series. We see a natural crossover between martial arts and gaming fans in Asia and an opportunity to bring them together under Asia's home of millennial live sports,” said Chatri Sityodtong, chairman and chief executive officer of One Championship, who also owns Evolve MMA.
‘One Championship is committed to bringing its same brand of large-scale event production and live broadcast capabilities, unique world-class content production, global media distribution, storytelling expertise, and marketing experience to One eSports. Our mission is to celebrate Asia's eSports heroes on the global stage. The establishment of One eSports transforms One Championship into Asia’s largest producer of millennial sports content.”
Singtel also signed an MOU with Optus, Airtel, AIS, Globe and Telkomsel in October to build and grow eSports ecosystem in the region.