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Good morning! It’s Thursday and this is your early morning Esports brief.
Verizon is jumping in to become a founding partner of Riot Games’ League of Legends: Wild Rift esports for North America. The brand will become the exclusive 5G network and wireless services provider of the Wild Rift North American Series and work with Riot Games to create “immersive fan experiences” this year. Verizon will also be allowed to use Wild Rift across its marketing and social media promotions and they will be allowed to use a Founding Partner logo.
“When assessing elite partners for launch, it was clear that Verizon’s category recognition for speed, scale, reliability and technology sophistication across mobile seamlessly align with the expectations of the Wild Rift community,” said Matt Archambault, the Head of Esports Partnerships and Business Development for Riot Games in North America and Oceania.
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 COMPETITION
Congratulations to each of the finalists named for this year’s Outstanding Esports Championship Coverage at the Sports Emmys. The 43rd Annual Sports Emmy Award winners will be named at an in-person ceremony on May 24. This year’s nominees include:
· League of Legends Worlds 2021 Final: DAMWON KIA vs. Edward Gaming – LoLEsports.com | Twitch | YouTube | Riot Games
· Overwatch League 2021 Grand Finals: Shanghai Dragons vs. Atlanta Reign – YouTube
· The International 10 – Dota2 Championship: Team Spirit vs PSG.LGD – Twitch | YouTube | Steam TV | Valve Corp.
· Ultimate Madden Bowl Finale – Twitch | EA Sports
· WePlay AniMajor: Evil Geniuses vs. PSG.LGD – Twitch | WePlay Esports
The FIFA Global Series is continuing to open its doors to fans, announcing a return to in-person events in Asunción, Stockholm, and London. Of note, the docket’s largest 1v1 global competition yet will take place on July 1-3 in London bringing 128 players from around the world to compete in the final stage of play before the FIFAe World Cup. 32 players will remain at the end of the competition – the first solo competition between players across continents in two years.
Meanwhile, the 2022 LPL Spring Split playoffs are getting pushed back once again due to COVID-19, with the league announcing that “Due to the current Covid situation, to protect the health and safety of our players, coaches, team personnel, and staff, we have decided to postpone the playoffs schedule to April 12th and onward,” the LPL said in a statement on Twitter. “The games will be played remotely.” The playoffs were originally slat to take place in March.
DreamHack and Wizards of the Coast announced a new agreement to bring Magic: The Gathering to the gaming festival. With this partnership, DreamHack will become the Official Partner of all Magic: The Gathering Regional Championship Qualifiers and Regional Championships in the United States — which will lead up to the Magic: The Gathering Pro Tour and the Magic: The Gathering World Championship. As part of the new partnership, Wizards Play Network stores will offer in-store qualifiers. These qualifying events will lead into the DreamHack Magic: The Gathering Showdown Regional Championship, featuring a prize pool of up to $150,000. From there, the top 48 players at the Regional Championships will earn an invitation to the Magic Pro Tour, with the top two players also earning automatic invitations to the Magic World Championship.
The doors are closing for a slot at this year’s Esports & Gaming Newfronts, grab your slot before they sell out! The event will be introducing hundreds of brands to upcoming sponsorship opportunities in the industry. Slots are already going to hurry and grab yours today, only a limited number are available. Click here for more info.
ESL’s Snapdragon Pro Series detailed plans for the mobile event, laying out three tiers of competition: Snapdragon Mobile Open, Snapdragon Mobile Challenge, and Snapdragon Mobile Masters. Titles will include Brawl Stars, Clash of Clans, Free Fire, League of Legends: Wild Rift, PUBG Mobile, Clash of Clans, Clash Royale, Asphalt 9: Legends and Legends of Runeterra. The Snapdragon Mobile Challenge finals events in the NA, EUR/MENA, and AP regions and the Snapdragon Mobile Masters event are expected to be live and in-person for both fans and competitors.
Wisdom Gaming is teaming with Riot Games to produce an in-person event for the Wild Rift NA Regional Championships Season 1 Championship, taking place in April and May. The top eight WNS teams will participate in the season finals at the Mall of America. Wisdom Gaming will serve as the exclusive broadcast and operations partner for the event. |
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STREAMHATCHET
 Brands looking to expand their reach to live streaming and esports audiences can benefit from looking at what those audiences are already chatting about. With Stream Hatchet’s new Brand tool, currently in beta form, advertisers can easily glean insights and learn about what’s trending in the gaming space.
March 2022 saw just over 1.5 million Twitch chat mentions of beverage brands, down about 14% from February. The most mentioned beverage brand was Coca-Cola, securing its spot from February, with over 300k mentions. Coca-Cola has continued to be the most popular soft drink for Twitch audiences, and continues to partner with streamers and sponsor esports events for brand lift. In March they sponsored the 2022 eMLS FIFA Cup, which got over 130,000 hours watched with a peak concurrent viewership of 46k.
Red Bull overtook G-Fuel and Monster Energy in March as the most-mentioned energy drink brand on Twitch. They grew 2.3% to about 190k chat mentions. Red Bull has multiple ways of reaching the gaming community: through their own Twitch channel and by sponsoring individual streamers. Red Bull hosts their events, especially in the FGC, like the Red Bull Golden Letters Championship last week, a Tekken 7 tournament which was co-hosted by multiple other streamers. They also sponsor streamers like TheGrefg, whose Red Bull streams last month garnered over 360,000 hours watched with a peak concurrent viewership of 150k.
Read more on Stream Hatchet’s blog.
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 SPONSORSHIP & ACTIVATION
To celebrate the launch of Pollo Asado, Chipotle is teaming up with content creator Karl Jacobs to help drive word of the brand’s first new chicken menu innovation in its 29-year history. The new Karl Jacobs Burrito features Brown Rice, Pinto Beans, Chipotle’s new Pollo Asado, Fresh Tomato Salsa, Roasted Chili-Corn Salsa, Tomatillo Red-Chili Salsa, Queso Blanco, and Guac. Chipotle also tapped Karl to star in a new ad spot and he will link up with Chipotle superfans and top gaming creators to host a Chipotle-partnered stream on his Twitch channel in a battle on custom Minecraft maps created to highlight the burrito’s ingredients.
Vindex locked in a partnership with the Interactive Advertising Bureau to launch the Vindex Intelligence Platform, designed leverage the company’s data collection capability across the games content ecosystem, combined with a insights and analytics platform to equip stakeholders with “actionable measurement, growth, and engagement solutions.” Vindex and IAB will collaborate to improve transparency and reduce friction in the gaming and esports ad buying process through active workshops with brands, marketers, and video game publishers during an IAB Brand Academy, a series of classes exclusively curated for brand marketers and agency executives to help them connect with publishers, platforms, and data companies
The Collegiate Esports Commissioner’s Cup revealed its sponsors for next month’s live event at the Gateway Center in Atlanta. Brands participating will include Barbasol, Neustreet, the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, CTRL, Reveal Suits, Futures First Gaming, and HomeTown Ticketing. The event will run May 7-8 with teams from 64 American schools competing in VALORANT, Overwatch, Rocket League, Super Smash Bros and NBA 2K.
The Atlanta FaZe revealed new partnerships with SteelSeries and KontrolFreek, which will now become the CDL franchise’s headset partner and thumbstick partner, respectively. The trio will work together to launch a slate of projects that includes product testing, digital events and brand activations.
Misfits Gaming Group rolled up a new partnership with not-for-profit healthcare org Baptist Health South Florida, which now picks up naming rights for a new exercise and wellness area within the team’s headquarters located in Boca Raton. The duo will also collaborate on a slate of content to promote the importance of physical and mental health while Baptist Health becomes the org’s exclusive healthcare and wellness partner. |
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 PLATFORMS
FaZe Clan revealed plans for a new content and digital programming slate with two livestream series: unFaZed (debuting June 2) featuring a recurring ensemble cast and hosted by special guests to be announced and FaZe1: The Warehouse (starting May 5). Both will run on the team’s Twitch channel. They’ve tapped showrunners Scott Tomlinson for unFaZed and Peter Tartaglia for FaZe1: The Warehouse, and production companies Kids at Play and Mission Control Media to join their in-house team. “The Gen Z audience is incredibly unique- they are smart, savvy, and really know what they want. At FaZe we are developing original programming that starts with that knowledge and puts Gen Z at the center of our creative,” says Bill McCullough, EVP and Head of Content at FaZe Clan. “With young pioneers from the internet and gaming communities as our creative compass, we can utilize our industry experience to push the boundaries and build franchises that stick with young audiences on emerging platforms and beyond.”
Twitter Gaming revealed Q1 2022 conversation data from across the spectrum of gaming and esports, noting that Q1 2022 was the biggest quarter ever for gaming conversation on Twitter with nearly 800 million Tweets about gaming during Q1 2022, up 52% year over year and 12% compared to Q4 2021. The most discussed esports teams for the period was led by LOUD, followed by FaZe Clan, FNATIC, PaiN Gaming and Karmine Corp
Ubisoft unveiled plans for the release of Rainbow Six Mobile, announcing that live tests of the game are expected to be scheduled ‘in the following weeks’. The game will be a tactical mobile shooter featuring two teams of five players.
Upper Deck is teaming up with the Call of Duty League to release a line of esports trading cards dedicated to the 2022 Call of Duty League season. The cards will be made available exclusively via the Upper Deck e-Pack platform. The cards themselves will showcase key moments from the 2022 season and will include the ‘Championship weekend’ which is made available for purchase for one week following each qualifier and major tournament.
Riot Games renewed and expanded its partnership with Getty Images to include image coverage of the League of Legends World Championships, VALORANT Champions and Wild Rift Global Icons. The two companies first partnered in 2020, when Riot Games named Getty Images the Official Photo Image Distribution Partner for League of Legends events. |
 TEAMS
Complexity Gaming struck a sponsorship sales partnership with Twitch. As part of this expanded scope, working alongside Complexity’s internal sales team, Twitch will source sponsorship opportunities across the organization’s portfolio of competitive teams, streamers, content, competitions, and events. “As the Senior Director of Client Strategy at Twitch for a number of years, I know the value Twitch will provide to Complexity to innovate our approach to sponsorships and find new ways to connect with fans,” said Christina Grushkin, Head of Sales at Complexity Gaming. “With the collective mindshare of the Complexity and Twitch teams, we’ll be able to create new and engaging opportunities for fans.”
The International Esports Federation is adding 12 new national Member Federations from four continents, bringing the total number of members to a record 123. Algeria, Bulgaria, Guadeloupe, Bangladesh, Palestine, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Burkina Faso, Chad, Niger, Somalia and Haiti were officially accepted as IESF Member Federations and will now participate in the 14th edition of the World Esports Championships this year. |
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 INDUSTRY
The ESA is pulling the plug on an E3 event this year, informing partners that not only would its in-person E3 event get cancelled, but there would be no digital event either, per IGN. The ESA had initially planned for an in-person E3 event this year after having no event in 2020 due to COVID-19 and a digital one in 2021. |
| 2022 SPORTS MEDIA AWARDS: THIS MONTH
Tables are running out for the breakfast ceremony on April 19th. Don’t miss your chance to celebrate the best in class including ten all star honorees, four luminaries and 34 category winners!
BOOK MY SEAT |
Trivia
What is the name of the moon that serves as the main setting of the movie (and games) for Avatar? (Email [email protected] with your answer and be sure to include your name, company and city).
Answer to Our Last Sports Trivia Question
In The Terminator franchise of movies and games, what is the name of John Connor’s father? Answer: Kyle Reese. Kudos: Rob Casalaina-ITN/NY; Matt Deprey-C-SPAN/DC; Tom Moore-Kalt Productions/LA; Lorrie Shilling/El Segundo; David Westberg-SAG•AFTRA Credit Union/Burbank; Cedric Jenkins-3 to M Productions/Seattle
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LOCAL SALES MANAGER >>
NEXSTAR MEDIA GROUP/ INDIANAPOLIS: Provides leadership for the broadcast/digital sales teams. Makes decisions regarding hiring, evaluation, promotion, and termination of account executives and sales assistants. Develops and executes sales strategies which result in exceeding revenue targets in local, new business and digital revenue. Minimum five years of media sales experience. Full info HERE (4/20)
THE DIRECTOR OF SALES
CIRCLE MEDIA
REMOTE (PREFER NYC, CHICAGO, NASHVILLE)
Responsible for selling general advertising of our Linear network for year over year growth of our advertising sales projections. Source, create, and maintain relationships, as well as execute contracts for our Linear/Cable/VOD networks. Use of qualitative sales packaging and the drive to meet/exceed sales goals is a top priority. Full info HERE (4/15)
DIRECTOR OF PROGRAMMING
CIRCLE MEDIA
NASHVILLE
Proven track record of success with strategic programming initiatives, preferably experience launching a new linear/VOD network. Lead the programming and scheduling of our network including live events. Create quarterly grids, promo plans, develop stunts, graphic and secondary event requests and review all on air plans for the network. Full info HERE (4/15)
TRAFFIC BILLING COORDINATOR
CIRCLE MEDIA
NASHVILLE
This position will serve as a conduit between Linear Sales, Traffic and the Accounting Department. Previous invoicing experience is a must, and the ability to work in a fast pace environment. Strong communication skills via phone and email are both required. Full info HERE (4/15)
ASSOCIATE PRODUCER, ON-AIR PROMOTIONS
YES NETWORK
STAMFORD, CT
Ideation for scripts, pitches, brainstorming sessions, and 360-degree marketing campaigns. Overseeing all aspects of assigned projects including screening footage, acquiring media assets, writing scripts, VO sessions, and edit sessions. Minimum 2-3 years of experience in assisting/writing/producing for sports television networks or media companies. Full info HERE (4/15)
SOFTWARE ENGINEERING MANAGER, COMMERCE
A+E NETWORKS
NYC or REMOTE
Engineering team manager to develop and launch high quality services in support of web, mobile, and television products. 5+ years of technology experience developing and maintaining APIs and backend services with min 1 year of leadership. Strong knowledge of JavaScript, React and Node. JS. Full info HERE (4/15)
DAILY ENTERTAINMENT VIDEO PRODUCTION ASSISTANT
theGrio
LOS ANGELES
Experienced in research, pitching ideas, reporting, and coordinating logistics for field production are major responsibilities. Pull video assets including SOTs and Vos, clear footage and provide breaking news support. Manage archives, have a firm understanding of rights and clearances, and thoroughly track sources of material for licensing. Full info HERE (4/15)
COPY EDITOR
theGrio
ATLANTA, LA, NYC, WASHINGTON DC
Read text for grammatical, typographical and factual errors, upholding the highest level of grammar, usage and accuracy. Confirm final drafts are free of errors. Ensure the writing is easy to read and fits the editorial style of the platform. Confirm theGrio’s original news stories and aggregated stories are accurate and meet journalism standards. Full info HERE (4/15)
ASSIGNMENT EDITOR
theGrio
ATLANTA, WASHINGTON DC, LA, NYC
Manage the assignment and publishing of stories about Black people across America. We are seeking a reliable self-starter to work alongside a shift-based team to manage stories that are accurate, authoritative, and indispensable. Experience in journalism and an ability to work in a breaking news environment is required. Full info HERE (4/15)
DAILY AGGREGATION WRITER
theGrio
ATLANTA
Write accurate aggregations of about six to eight 400-600 word stories daily significant news stories. Craft original, engaging headlines, and ledes that arrest and audience. Source appropriately licensed photos to accompany stories, government agencies, Associated Press, Getty, Adobe Stock, public domain repositories, and other institutions. Full info HERE (4/15)
DAILY NEWS WRITER
theGrio
ATLANTA
Write a daily story with original reporting each day covering the Black experience domestically. Stay up to date on relevant trends, stories and experiences that impact Black Americans. Coordinate story parameters with Managing Editor. Strong knowledge of current events. Research and craft stories in a way that resonates with our audiences. Full info HERE (4/15)
LINE EDITOR
theGrio
ATLANTA, WASHINGTON DC, LOS ANGELES, OR NEW YORK
Veteran journalist who has leveraged skills acquired as a print or digital beat or enterprise reporter to transform into a seasoned news editor. Support the well-being, rights, livelihood, protection, joy, financial security, and success of Black people. Coach writers, edit aggregated and original copy, and provide options for sourcing images. Full info HERE (4/15)
INVESTIGATIVE REPORTER
theGrio
ATLANTA, WASHINGTON DC, LOS ANGELES OR NEW YORK
Cover stories about Black people across America. Develop and research investigative stories, with a particular emphasis on data reporting. Creative self-starter to break journalism stories that are accurate, authoritative, and indispensable. Experience in investigative reporting and an ability to work in a breaking news environment is required. Full info HERE (4/15)
AD OPERATIONS MANAGER >>
FUSE MEDIA INC/GLENDALE, CA: Work with a cross functional team spanning sales, business intelligence, and digital operations to traffic direct sales and programmatic digital advertising campaigns in a timely manner to ensure client expectations are exceeded. 3+ years’ experience in Data Analysis/Ad Operations/Media Buying in the digital advertising industry. Full info HERE (4/14)
VP, BRAND MARKETING
CROWN MEDIA FAMILY NETWORKS
LA, CA
Manage strategy and execution of 360º consumer marketing campaigns for Crown Media’s linear and SVOD initiatives. Will collaborate cross functionally and manage external media, creative & promotional agencies while leading internal team. Bachelor’s Degree in related field, 12+ yrs marketing experience within entertainment required. Full info HERE (4/12)
VP, LEARNING& DEVELOPMENT, DIVERSITY & INCLUSION
CROWN MEDIA FAMILY NETWORKS
LA, CA
Accountable for oversight, development and execution of highly impactful D&I strategic initiatives, as well as identifying individual, group and organizational development needs; the VP is instrumental in aligning enterprise training and D&I partnership opportunities with business strategies and cultural initiatives. Full info HERE (4/12)
SALES DEVELOPMENT REPRESENTATIVE >>
MEDIAOCEAN/NYC, CHICAGO: Find and screen potential customers and have a strong understanding of the sales process, excelling at researching leads, starting new relationships, and setting our sales team up for success. Have the ability to showcase our offerings in a compelling way. 1-3 years of professional work experience preferred. Full info HERE (4/12)
ACCOUNT MANAGER FOR CLIENT SERVICES – DEAL MAKER >>
MEDIAOCEAN/NYC/EAST COAST: Execute a coordinated account plan for driving growth and adoption of Mediaocean solutions. Maintain a regular cadence of on-site visits to consult end users, identify and address business needs and challenges. Act as a trusted advisor and partner with customer contacts. 3+ years of experience in client services or consulting. Full info HERE (4/12)
AD SALES PLANNING MANAGER
OVATION
NYC, REMOTE
Oversee and develop the national planning team for Ovation’s linear network. Manage inventory, approve allocations and move requests, build and distribute ADU packages. Construct upfront and scatter rate cards. Work closely with research to evaluate projections and make necessary adjustments. Experience as a national planner for a linear network. Full info HERE (4/9)
VICE PRESIDENT, PRICING & PLANNING >>
FUSE MEDIA INC/NYC: Establish pricing and sellout guidelines in support of the network’s financial objectives. Provide weekly Sales revenue pacing & projection reports. Strategically determine most effective utilization of National inventory. Development of the financial plans, annual budget, and quarterly forecast. 10+ years of media experience. Full info HERE (4/9)
DIRECT RESPONSE SALES PLANNER >>
REELZ/NY: Create/revise media plans. Serve as agency liaison and work closely with AE, planning & traffic to set pricing & schedules. A min. 2 yrs ad sales/agency exp. Strong written and verbal communication skills, strong media math skills. Proficient in Wide Orbit, MS Suite. Full info HERE (4/9)
COORDINATOR – DIGITAL AND SOCIAL MEDIA, CHAMPIONSHIPS AND ALLIANCES >>
NCAA/ INDIANAPOLIS: This individual will assist in executing the departmental strategy including: enhancing the student-athlete experience; promoting NCAA championships; increasing revenue-generating opportunities, awareness, and viewership to NCAA championships and ancillary events; and communicating consistent NCAA brand messages through digital and social media. Full info HERE (4/8)
DIRECTOR, BRAND & MARKETING CONTENT >>
WONDRIUM/REMOTE: Lead a team as well as write, produce, and deliver promotional materials that creatively and effectively promote the Wondrium brand. The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor’s Degree with specialty in video production and a minimum of 5 years’ experience in A/V Content creation environment with a strong marketing creative perspective. Full info HERE (4/8)
RESEARCH ANALYST >>
ENDEAVOR ANALYTICS/NYC (ON-SITE): Passion for entertainment, sports, and cultural trends. Curious/creative thinker. Work centers on analyzing media usage, cultural interests, and talent. Internal and external support. Experience with consumer profiling, social analytics, and linear measurement tools are a plus. Full info/apply HERE (4/8)
DIRECTOR, DIGITAL AD SALES
A+E NETWORKS
NYC
Help lead/direct digital direct sales efforts. Includes sales strat & rev responsibility across dig portfolio. Provide dig knowledge/training, evaluate new dig products, evolving upfront rate cards & more. High level knowledge of evolving media landscape, industry trends competitive marketplace. Full info HERE (4/7)
SR SPECIALIST, ADVANCED ADVERTISING SOLUTIONS
A+E NETWORKS
NYC
Responsible for executing day-to-day objectives of Advanced Ad Solutions assisting w/prod dev & specializing in QC, user acceptance testing (UAT) & optimization of ad products brands on web, mobile & OTT w/focus on new AVOD Platforms. Full info HERE (4/7)
MGR, AD SALES PARTNERSHIPS
A+E NETWORKS
NYC
Establish strat & manage dept activities for monetizing network content & assets to drive nat’l ad sales rev. Lead 360 ideation & response on RFPs under assigned categories; meet w/acct execs,w advising on pitch strat & leading brainstorms w/internal resources. Full info HERE (4/7) |
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| OTHER JOBS OF INTEREST
Develop data quality framework to ensure delivery of high-quality data and analyses to stakeholders.
Senior Data Engineer
Take Two Interactive
NYC
https://careers.take2games.com/jobs
Analyze business requirements, identify opportunities, recommend, and deliver solutions.
Lead System Analyst
Take Two Interactive
NYC
https://careers.take2games.com/jobs
Design and implement modifications, reorganizations, extensions, and optimizations to existing code base.
Senior Systems Engineer
Firaxis Games
Sparks MD
https://firaxis.com/careers/
Create high quality textured hard surface and organic 3D art that adhere to the project’s vision.
Lead Environment Artist
Firaxis Games
Sparks MD
https://firaxis.com/careers/
Identify assets needed for cinematics production and communicate to respective disciplines.
Senior Cinematic Artist
Aspyr
Austin TX
https://www.aspyr.com/open_positions
Collaborate with design to create abilities, boss effects, in-game pickup effects.
Senior VFX Artist
Aspyr
Austin TX
https://www.aspyr.com/open_positions
Insights are used by leadership to lead the business and improve the product.
Senior Data Scientist
2K Games
Austin TX
https://2k.com/en-US/jobs/
Create, improve, and work with tools that make the development process easier and more fun.
Software Engineer
2K Games
Orlando FL
https://2k.com/en-US/jobs/
Collaborate with Creative Directors, Designers, Engineers, Artists, Producers, and Animators to deliver world-class game systems
Senior Designer
Activision
Middleton WI
https://careers.activision.com/
Lead the project art team in carrying out the title’s art vision; partnering with shared art teams to ensure alignment.
Project Art Manager
Cat Daddy Games
Kirkland WA
https://boards.greenhouse.io/catdaddy
Work with VFX artists and programmers to design, prototype, and implement new features.
Senior VFX Engineer
Activision
Woodland Hills CA
https://careers.activision.com/
Manage deployment and reporting from automated game and performance testing.
Senior Build and Automation Engineer
Visual Concepts
Foothill Ranch CA
https://vcentertainment.com/careers/
Dive into a large codebase to simplify processes, solve challenges, and identify deficiencies.
Senior Engineer, Game Systems
Visual Concepts
Agoura Hills CA
https://vcentertainment.com/careers/
Create and manage project schedules, budgets, track tasks, and deadlines as needed.
Senior Cinematic Producer
Blizzard
Irvine CA
https://careers.blizzard.com/global/en
You will work closely with Animation Leads to help define and maintain high-end cinematic animations.
Cinematic Animator, Diablo
Blizzard
Irvine CA
https://careers.blizzard.com/global/en |
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