Former Manchester City COO and founder of EQ Sports & Gaming, Chris Bird, will give an exclusive talk at the 2024 SBC Tbilisi Summit, sharing his wealth of career experience.
The keynote titled ‘Influencers, Content and Esports… You Bet! Unleashing the Power of Dynamic Strategies in the Esports Ecosystem’ will open the ‘Market Focus’ segment of the conference dedicated to online gaming and sports betting in Eastern Europe and Central Asia. The event will take place on June 25-26 at the Sheraton Grand Tbilisi Metekhi Palace Hotel.
Bird will share insights into effective strategies for engaging influencers to drive esports growth and create compelling content, drawing on his experience securing major business deals for Manchester City Football Club and building companies such as EQ Esports & Gaming, Bee That Gamer and a media enterprise The Not Really Here Group.
Commenting on his upcoming performance, Bird noted: “I’m eagerly anticipating the SBC Summit in Tbilisi because it offers an invaluable platform for me to share my diverse experiences in sport, esports, gaming, and creating social change. This event is a unique convergence of industry leaders and innovators, where I can contribute insights from my journey and learn from others.”
During the 1980s, Bird worked in the media, including newspapers and commercial radio. In 1990 he founded Bird Consultancy, which is now one of the oldest independent consultancies outside London. During this period, Bird began to actively interact with the sports and gambling industries, working in public relations for betting company Betfred, sports retailer JD Sports and Manchester City Football Club.
Bird joined Manchester City as a media consultant in 1998 and became chief operating officer in 1999. He led the club through difficult times, including its stint in the third tier of English football. Bird played a key role in the club’s revival, overseeing the construction of a new training ground, facilitating the transition to a new stadium, improving retail operations and expanding the fan base both locally and globally. Following the club’s successful return to the Premier League, Bird left the team in 2003.
Since leaving Manchester City, Bird has held various senior positions in the sports and media industry, including 12 years as director of JD Sports. In 2021, he decided to venture into the growing eSports sector and founded EQ Esports & Gaming.
“Particularly, the fusion of esports and gaming in a dynamic market like Tbilisi presents a fresh perspective. The summit not only aligns with my professional goals but also with my personal commitment to using these platforms for positive impact,” Bird commented on his keynote topic choice.
Rasmus Sojmark, CEO & Founder of SBC expressed: “Chris is an incredibly influential figure in the sports and media world so it is an absolute pleasure to have him with us at SBC Summit Tbilisi. Even though I’m a Chelsea fan, we can all agree that his tenure at Manchester City has had a great impact on the club. I look forward to this keynote.”
“I look forward to engaging with like-minded professionals, exploring new ideas, and discussing how we can collectively harness the power of esports and gaming to shape a more inclusive approach to the sector,” Bird said.
Alongside access to a wealth of knowledge from a comprehensive conference agenda, attendees will have the chance to network and explore the latest industry offerings firsthand on the exhibition floor, where over 30 local and global brands will be showcasing their innovations.
For groups of three or more, you can purchase the ‘Group Pass Ticket’ gaining you access to both days of SBC Summit Tbilisi for the discounted price of US $150 per person.
Additionally, operators and affiliates can apply for a free pass to the event.
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