UK’s InterTalent releases gaming talent agency XU Esports
UK-based independent entertainment talent management company InterTalent has announced the launch of its business venture to the video game industry, XU Esports. InterTalent aims to provide representation towards gaming talent and esports players through its gaming arm, XU Esports which functions as a full-service agency.
XU Esports founder and head of talent Aaron Bonsell are set to lead the agency with the goal “to be the top destination for the most exciting, creative and diverse esports talent”. Additionally, Bonsell wanted to bring InterTalent’s 30 years of talent management into the esports sector and change how talents are being managed.
“We are taking 30 years’ worth of top-level experience in talent management and translating it into the esports market to transform the way talent in this sector is managed,” he said.
“XU Esports was set up with talent at the forefront and will ensure that our talent is cared for and given the best possible opportunities to develop their careers across a multitude of verticals.”
Previous experience, clients managed
XU Esports’ parent company, InterTalent has had 30 years of talent management since it was established and has managed talents from various types of industries such as TV, music, soccer, and acting.
Some of the company’s famous talents are Manchester City, Mel B, Kelly Brook, N-Dubz, Ross Kempand Vinnie Jones. Now, expanding its care to the video game industry, XU Esports, and its parent company are optimistic to manage video game talents.
Notably, XU Esports already have a number of video game and esports talents as its clients starting from video game players from London-based Call of Duty League esports team London Royal Ravens player and streamer IMAngelikaa, and additional two Call of Duty Warzone players Vapulear and Brittney Raines.
Moreover, the agency also has three casters under its umbrella, such as Brazilian-American VALORANT caster Gustavo “Upmind” Franco Domingues, CS:GO caster Veronique “Vearless” Zonneveld, and Pausible.
Expansion to game industry, optimism
Both XU Esports and parent company InterTalent appear very optimistic with the new business venture. InterTalent managing director Alex Segal added the new business expansion to the video game industry has been a long ambition and seeing it comes to fruition with Bonsell leading the agency will “immediately backed” by InterTalent.
“It has long been an ambition of ours to move into the esports space. We are thrilled to be doing this with Aaron and XU Esports. InterTalent is a major player when it comes to the entertainment industry, and we are excited to bring our network, skillset, and ethos to the esports business. Aaron’s vision was one we immediately backed,” Segal said.
Talent management agency in professional esports scenes and video gaming, in general, is growing more quickly than ever imagined. Notably, prior to InterTalent’s XU Esports, companies from both traditional sports and entertainment sectors have joined the video game industry with their own gaming venture and divisions.
One prime example is SPORTFIVE, a Hamburg-based international marketing agency that has dived deep earlier than XU Esports to assist esports brands with their marketing needs. With XU Esports joining in, the agency will most likely do a similar thing, but cater to esports talents instead.
