The top 17 managers and agents for esports competitors, gaming YouTubers, and streamers
- Business Insider is recognizing the leaders in gaming who are helping shape the careers of YouTube influencers, Twitch streamers, and esports competitors in 2020.
- We are highlighting 17 power players of talent management, based on who is successfully assisting creators in this category on their digital businesses.
- These talent managers, agents, and partner managers help their clients diversify their online brands and build lasting partnerships with companies through influencer-marketing campaigns.
- They represent gamers like Ninja, Pokimane, and Dr DisRespect - a new generation of creators who directly engage with millions of fans on a daily basis.
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Esports competitors and gaming creators in the YouTube and livestreaming space are earning lucrative incomes from their success online.
With major partnerships, business opportunities, and millions of views, these independent creators and competitors make up one of the top categories in digital entertainment. Even with the coronavirus pandemic upending the world of media and advertising, gaming has remained relatively resilient and livestream viewership has surged.
Successful gaming influencers like Tyler "Ninja" Blevins and Imane "Pokimane" Anys entertain millions of fans on a regular basis, and develop dedicated audiences through direct engagement. With their rise, the demand for managers, agents, and other industry execs to help creators juggle their various ventures and continue their growth has increased.
Business Insider is recognizing a new power list of the top talent managers, agents, and partner managers for esports competitors, gaming YouTubers, and streamers. These managers and agents are innovating in the space and are helping their gaming creator clients build their careers and secure new industry opportunities.
"Gamers are still relatively new to the world of talent representation, and we want to explore the opportunities available for each individual client," said Hana Tjia, an agent at United Talent Agency. "We want to encourage them to be innovators while remaining authentic to their respective communities."
She continued: "Gaming clients are very strategic about choosing partners that align with their personal brands and with their fans' interests. For most gamers, their community is the most important part of their business, and they take special care to put out content that feels genuine and compelling."
Managers and agents generally earn revenue by receiving a cut of the influencer's earnings, which typically ranges from 10% to 20%, depending on how much they do for the client, according to industry insiders.
To form this list, Business Insider relied on a mix of our own reporting, nominations from readers, and industry experts to narrow down the finalists. We chose them based on their experience in the space, responsibilities, and impact of the industry broadly.
The power players are listed in alphabetical order by firm or agency:
Check out our other power lists on Business Insider Prime: