Esports Industry Vets to Lead ELEAGUE’s Competitive Leagues
Turner and WME | IMG have hired Christina Alejandre as Vice President / General Manager and appointed Min-Sik Ko as Commissioner to lead the development and strategy of the inaugural season of ELEAGUE, the transformative eSports competitive gaming league set to debut in May 2016. ELEAGUE, created through the strategic partnership between Turner and WME | IMG, will center around the production of a premium live event experience with comprehensive digital coverage and a weekly televised showcase on TBS.
As General Manager of ELEAGUE, Alejandre will be responsible for business operations, content and program strategy, as well as the pursuit of new eSports opportunities. Alejandre will report to Craig Barry, EVP of Production and Chief Content Officer, Turner Sports.
Ko will provide administrative leadership within the league, directing team, business and eSports relations and managing the continued development and implementation of ELEAGUE as the Commissioner. He previously served as an agent in charge of the gaming and eSports department at WME | IMG following the acquisition of Global eSports Management (GEM), a company he co-founded with Tobias Sherman to manage the best players, commentators and personalities in the industry.
“Christina’s proven track record and experience as a leader in the entertainment, gaming and eSports industries make her uniquely qualified to lead and drive the day-to-day business operations of ELEAGUE,” said Barry. “As we launch ELEAGUE, she will be an invaluable resource as we build an infrastructure that provides a high quality, authentic product for our fans, while also supporting the continued growth of the overall eSports ecosystem.”
“Min-Sik’s unparalleled experience in strategic management and organizational administration in the world of eSports makes him the perfect candidate to lead ELEAGUE as its Commissioner,” said Sherman, head of the WME | IMG eSports division. “We’re incredibly excited for the debut of ELEAGUE, as we build the foundation for a new global sports league that will feature world class entertainment and competition between the best of the best.”
Alejandre has more than 15 years of experience in video games and new media, driving business development for global companies. She most recently served as a consultant for Electronic Sports League (ESL) where she identified and developed the core elements to establish the company’s long-term growth in North America. Prior to ESL, Alejandre held several high-ranking positions overseeing licensing and partner management, publishing and eSports at Turbine and Warner Bros. Games. She also previously led business development for 38 Studios and Octopi, following positions working on licensing and product development at Nickelodeon and Viacom Consumer Products.
Prior to co-founding GEM, Ko was on the ground floor of the eSports explosion at SK Gaming, where he started leading marketing and sponsorships and grew into the integral role of overseeing player management across the global company. He got his start in the industry working as a Manager for World Elite’s Korean Warcraft 3 team and Ninjas in Pyjamas’s (NiP) Warcraft 3 team.
ELEAGUE will launch in May 2016, featuring Counter Strike: Global Offensive, the popular game developed by Valve Corporation. Turner and WME | IMG will collaborate to present 10 consecutive weeks of programming twice per year with robust coverage across digital platforms and weekly telecasts airing on TBS. Turner Studios in Atlanta will serve as the headquarters for ELEAGUE and primary operations facility for the live competitive gaming experience.
Fans can also receive the latest updates on ELEAGUE through https://www.e-league.com, its Facebook page (facebook.com/eleaguegaming) and Twitter account (@EL).
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