In today’s episode, Rob Johnson visits us to help us answer perhaps one of the most asked questions in the esports space, how to effectively connect brands with esports fans? 

Rob is the CEO of Playfly Esports, co-author of “Millennial Reboot,” and a passionate marketer who has been solving traditional sports, entertainment, and esports marketing problems for almost the last two decades. 

We delve into Rob’s journey in traditional sports, from unpaid internships to his first position in Marketing with the Philadelphia Flyers, and his transition from traditional sports to gaming and esports. He described how Playfly helps companies understand the value of advertising in esports and how they build that connection in an industry that is so dependent on brands’ dollars. 

Rob also talked about how building relationships and consistency helped him get into traditional sports and entertainment first and esports and gaming later, the importance of establishing trust and managing expectations with brands, and more. 

Resources:

Visit the Playfly Esports website: https://playfly.com/esports/.

or Connect with Rob on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnsonr/details/experience/

Book: Kate Athmer, Rob Johnson: Millennial Reboot: Our Generation’s Playbook for Professional Growth: https://www.amazon.com/Millennial-Reboot-Generations-Playbook-Professional-ebook/dp/B01MXPMV9J/ref=sr_1_5?crid=3OG2G2RIAZL21&keywords=millennial+reboot&qid=1658662020&sprefix=milennial+reboo%2Caps%2C162&sr=8-5

Full Episode Breakdown:

1:27 – Rob describes Playfly Esports and how they help brands connect with esports fans.

5:36 – Rob talks about how the idea of creating Playfly Esports started.

10:46 – Rob explains how they help brands make sense of the esports space.

11:21 – Rob talks about the opportunities for brands and students in collegiate esports.

14:21 – John and Rob discuss why esports teams must be patient and wait for the right fit when looking for partnerships and sponsors.

18:24 – Rob shares his background in traditional sports and entertainment. 

23:25 – Rob talks about his transition from traditional sports to esports.

26:44 – Rob explains how networking helped him establish his career in traditional sports and esports.

30:49 – Rob shares his thoughts on volunteering.

35:36 – Rob talks about the most valuable lessons he learned from every company he worked with.

48:48 – Rob explains the importance of managing expectations and building trust in marketing.

52:05 – Rob shares a bit of what we can expect from Playfly Esports and the space in the forthcoming years.