The convergence of music and gaming worlds turns into extra fascinating each day.
This week, it’s been confirmed that Zach Katz – former President of BMG within the US, and former CEO of Raised In Area – is becoming a member of FaZe Clan as President and COO.
The information comes two months after MBW revealed that Katz had joined FaZe Clan’s board, the place he sits alongside the Chairman of that board, Lee Trink.
Trink, additionally FaZe Clan’s CEO, additionally has a music trade background: he’s the one-time President of EMI Capitol Music Group, and a former Common Supervisor of Virgin Data.
As President and COO of FaZe Clan, Katz will now report back to Trink.
For these unfamiliar with its story, FaZe Clan is primarily an eSports media platform based mostly within the US.
It represents skilled gaming ‘clans’ throughout a number of interactive leisure titles together with Name of Responsibility, Counter-Strike: International Offensive, PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds, Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege, FIFA, Valorant, Fortnite Battle Royale and Rocket League.
As a media firm, it has some attain: FaZe Clan’s YouTube channel, for instance, has practically 9 million subscribers and over a billion video performs.
FaZe Clan, which additionally runs a profitable complement division, just lately introduced plans to go public by way of a merger with a US-based SPAC: B. Riley Principal 150 Merger Corp.
The mixed firm is anticipated to have an implied fairness valuation of roughly $1 billion inclusive of practically $275 million in money on its steadiness sheet. The merger is anticipated to shut by the top of July.
Zach Katz will now oversee FaZe Clan’s content material, expertise, merchandise, shopper items, sponsorships and eSports companies.
“FaZe Clan sits on the intersection of gaming, creator economic system and tradition, all of which we consider is main the expansion of Web3,” says Lee Trink, CEO of FaZe Clan.
“FaZe Clan sits on the intersection of gaming, creator economic system and tradition, all of which we consider is main the expansion of Web3.”
Lee Trink, FaZe Clan
“We’re squarely targeted on constructing the longer term and by including Zach to our group, we’re gaining a confirmed chief who has in depth expertise in working with progressive, cultural manufacturers.
“By way of my longstanding relationship with Zach, I belief that he’ll assist catapult our firm into the following section of development, and convey operational excellence to FaZe as we change into a public firm.”
Mentioned Katz: “Constructing on FaZe Clan’s management in youth tradition, our aim is to additional push the boundaries of gaming to drive innovation in leisure.
“I can’t think about a extra thrilling second to affix FaZe Clan’s passionate group and group.”
Katz started his profession as a music legal professional, then moved into music administration, representing distinguished artists, producers and songwriters.
From there, he co-founded and served as CEO of the file label and music publishing firm Beluga Heights which partnered with Sony Music, and later, Warner Brothers Data.
Katz additionally served as Govt Vice President, Chief Artistic Officer, after which President of Data, Publishing and Operations of BMG earlier than co-founding and serving as CEO of music-tech funding fund Raised In Area Enterprises. His co-founder at Raised In Area was Scooter Braun.
After leaving Raised In Area earlier this 12 months to launch his personal enterprise in music, Carte Blanche.Music Enterprise Worldwide
