One of the hardest things to get for companies about the gaming and esports industry is how to engage with its massive audience. Business professionals would attend esports events and be blown away by the gigantic screens. They would look at the missing logo placement opportunities and be distracted by that. Donny Neufuss, our guest today, calls that the SOS, the Shiny Object Syndrome. He believes most companies are missing the point. It is not about logo placement; it is about the people attending the event. 

Donny Neufuss is the Director of Business Development & Strategic Partnerships at Sonic Foundry, a technology strategist, an esports expert, a hip hop enthusiast, and a dear, long time friend. 

In this episode, we had a great conversation about what companies are missing and where most of them fail to engage with the gaming community. Donny shared bits of his background as a gamer and streamer, his participation in the MP3 revolution in the early 2000s, and his incredible conversation with Apple’s music division. We also discuss the role of digital engagement in education, the future of the entertainment industry, Donny’s passion for music, and much more. 

Resources:

Visit Sonic Foundry website: https://sonicfoundry.com/

or connect with Donny on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/donnyneufuss/

or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DO2NY/about

Full Episode Breakdown:

2:35 – John and Donny remember how they met and were trying to figure out esports and gaming together.

6:09 – Donny talks about his current position at Sonic Foundry and shares some incredible stories about the company’s founder. 

11:09 – John and Donny talk about how inclusive the gamer community is and how things have changed in the last 10 years about gamers. They also discuss how differently society looks at gamers nowadays.

13:23 – John and Donny talk about the future of streaming. 

19:01 – As simple as creating the content your audience wants to watch. John and Donny discuss the key to streamers’ success. 

 23:16 – It doesn’t matter whether esports is a sport or not; it is the future of entertainment. 

29:24 – Donny shares the incredible story of the irruption of the MP3 files and his meeting with Apple’s music department.

36:36 – If you don’t cannibalize your own business, somebody else will do it for you. Donny shares his thoughts on the importance of using technology to be disruptive.

41:53 – John and Donny discuss why some companies have such a hard time engaging with their audiences.

44:57 – The trap of marketing your products for yourself. Donny shares some advice for companies on how to stay immersed and relevant in their niches.

51:53 – Watching skateboarders, watching skateboarders skateboarding. John and Donny talk about engaging your community done the right way.

54:54 – John and Donny talk about the obvious negative side of esports and its not-so-obvious positive influences. 

1:01:05 – Do you like to work for free? Donny talks about the possibilities of getting into the esports industry.

1:12:05 – The kind of hip hop you listen to tells a lot about who you are. Donny talks about his passion for hip hop and music.