Talent management agency expands into gaming and sports sectors via merger

London headquartered YMU has announced the integration of sports marketing, gaming, and entertainment agency, Digital Sports Mgmt (DSM), into its global YMU Sports division.

This expansion sees YMU gain a majority stake in DSM and marks the group’s first move into the world of gaming and sports marketing. The merger comes at a time of growth for YMU, which also has an office in Manchester, as it further develops its sports offering and continues to establish its reputation as an “innovative” talent management firm.

Launched in 2016 by founders Rob Wadsworth and Tom Henderson, DSM is trusted by brand clients such as EA Sports, Sorare, Avery Dennison and Warner Bros, and also represents some of the world’s “best gaming talent”, including Danny Aarons, ShaunaGames, and AJ3.

Working collaboratively, DSM will leverage YMU’s global footprint, talent management expertise and “elite” brand clients to break new ground in the ever-growing sports and gaming industry. This will see DSM’s gaming and esports talent benefit from the support of YMU’s global management services.

The merger will also allow YMU Sports to expand its service offering to include esports consultancy, sports marketing, sponsorship brokerage, licensing, and live production. Further enhancing the expertise and support that can be provided to current and future clients.

Tom Henderson and Rob Wadsworth, co-founders and Directors, DSM, commented: “YMU and Digital Sport Mgmt’s partnership strengthens our position at the crossroads where sport, gaming, technology, and entertainment meet and interact.

“Our collective expertise will enrich the services we provide our talent and brand clients and will allow us both to scale into new markets. YMU is the perfect partner to expedite our business plan globally and in turn extend the YMU Group’s premium services into the future.”

Mary Bekhait, Group CEO, YMU added: “We are thrilled to join forces with Digital Sports Mgmt and diversify our Sports division into gaming and esports, marketing activation, and sponsorship.

“In Rob and Tom, we have found two phenomenal, industry-leading executives and I’ve been incredibly impressed with what they have built with Digital Sports Mgmt.

“Entering into gaming and esports has been one of YMU’s key strategic objectives and with the acquisition of DSM I am pleased to be able to offer further, exceptional expertise and bespoke knowledge to our current and future global sports clients.”

By Matthew Neville – Correspondent, Bdaily

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