Innovation in Esports: An Inside Look at the Pro Gaming Industry -- Josh Swartz (COO, Popdog)

Josh Swartz is the COO of Popdog, an esports technology and services company. Josh started his career as General Counsel of iFilm and later served as COO of Wasserman, President of Relativity Sports, and Managing Partner of Diamond Ridge Ventures. Most recently, Josh co-founded Catalyst Sports & Media, which joined the Popdog family in December 2018. In this episode, Josh and I discuss the increasing competition for esports player representation from both established talent management firms and new entrants. We also examine the differences between traditional sports and professional gaming, and Josh argues that esports teams are not analogous to pro sports franchises but rather more like talent agencies and multi-channel networks (MCNs). Finally, Josh expresses skepticism about venture capital investments in esports teams and predicts a market correction as a result of inflated valuations. Host: James Creech ABOUT THE SHOW All Things Video is a podcast dedicated to uncovering the past and charting the future of the online video ecosystem. Listen to interviews with founders, executives, and thought leaders from the world’s leading media companies and engage in thought-provoking debates about the issues shaping the next generation of entertainment. From the short-form content revolution to the fragmentation of video viewership in an always-on world, All Things Video reveals the key trends and insights from the world of digital media.   Follow All Things Video on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn for new episodes and updates! ABOUT THE HOST James Creech is an entrepreneur focused on technology, online video, and digital media. He is the Co-Founder & CEO of Paladin, the essential influencer marketing platform for media companies, agencies, and brands. OUR SPONSOR This episode is brought to you by TubeBuddy, the complete toolkit for YouTube channel management. This power-packed browser extension helps with everything from bulk metadata edits and trending keyword suggestions to thumbnail optimization, fan engagement tools, and so much more. Visit TubeBuddy.com to meet your new best friend on YouTube.