REFLECTING ON 2023 WITH MANAGING PARTNER JOHN PIERCE
Season’s greetings!
As the new year approaches, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on all that Player 2 achieved and the ways we evolved in 2023– from our incredible Intellectual Property (IP) licensing projects to our brand activations within the expansive Roblox metaverse. Much like the gaming industry itself, we’ve found ourselves constantly learning, growing and adapting– more so in 2023, perhaps, than ever before.
We’ve undoubtedly witnessed some tumultuous shifts across the entire gaming landscape. However, we find that certain core principles remain: a commitment to fun and an inextinguishable desire for connection– these are what bring people back to video games, time and time again, and are also what Player 2 has set at the forefront of our business.
This year, we had the distinct honor of bringing the timeless style of Hello Kitty into the colorful world of Fall Guys through our expert IP licensing team. But the fun doesn’t stop there– we teamed up with Moonbug Entertainment to bring the lovable Blippi into Roblox in the form of “Blippi’s Playground,” an immersive experience for all ages to enjoy– and it’s already attracting nearly 500,000 players per week! Just this month, we shared that SpongeBob Squarepants is collaborating with the new mobile game, Oh Baby Kart!, in a partnership sourced and negotiated by Player 2. We continue to believe in the power of smart licensing opportunities, and thus we will continue to seek out exciting collaborations for brands looking to connect to this diverse and ever-growing market.
As for endemic brands, Player 2 helped bring together two gaming content creation powerhouses: Crowd Control 2.0 and Streamlabs, who collaborated to bring audience engagement to new heights with Crowd Control’s new product launch and integration. The creator economy is the beating heart of the gaming community, and we were thrilled to assist with this innovative addition to the virtual toolkits that facilitate content creation.
Last but certainly not least, we work with incredible nonprofit organizations, including the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, Make-A-Wish America, Wounded Warrior Project, and, Only One. I can proudly say that the Player 2 team helped raise over $900,000 for charity during 2023. Uniting gamers with causes they’re passionate about, and helping these esteemed organizations raise crucial funds in turn, remains a powerful driving force within our agency.
Looking back on 2023, I am proud of the Player 2 team for the results we achieved in collaboration with our amazing clients. I am excited for what we expect to happen in 2024 and for all the unexpected moments as well. I do know for certain that the Player 2 team will continue to level up and meet the opportunities in the new year.
Best wishes to our friends in the gaming industry for a wonderful holiday season!
Most sincerely,
John Pierce
Managing Partner, Player 2