PING by Charlie Baillie
Gaming | Entertainment | Creator Economy
A quick-hit look at what’s shaping the future of culture — from AAA games and virtual worlds to music innovation & creator-led empires.
Welcome to the second edition of PING, your biweekly update sharing what matters in gaming, entertainment, and the creator economy.
I’ve cut through the noise to share industry news that caught my eye, big deals, and smart moves driving the next wave of digital innovation. Let’s jump in.
Big Plays
Product launches and platform shifts that matter now
Nintendo Switch 2 Launch & Restock Frenzy
Understanding its impact: shortage challenges, $449–499 pricing, bundled hits like Mario Kart World and Street Fighter 6, and how retailers (Walmart+, Best Buy) are navigating supply.
Source: Tom’s Guide
Summer Games Fest Reveals AAA Explosion
Summer Game Fest kicked off on Friday with a two-hour extravaganza, in the old-fashioned E3 style. Host Geoff Keighley brought out tons of game updates, new reveals, and a few surprises — including the long-awaited release date of some of gaming’s white whales. As promised, Summer Game Fest featured games like Mafia: The Old Country, Dying Light: The Beast, and Fortnite — but the surprises were BIG. A new Resident Evil. A new Scott Pilgrim game. And Deadpool VR?
Source: Polygon
XBox Games Showcase 2025
Reveal of Xbox Ally handheld with Asus, plus trailers for Persona 4 Revival, Gears of War: E-Day, Ninja Gaiden 4, Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, and more.
Source: Tom’s Guide
Deal Flow
Where the money’s moving and what it means
Creator Driven Platform Surpass Traditional Media Ad Revenue
WPP projects creators (YouTube, TikTok, LinkedIn) will generate more ad revenue than TV/print/cinema this year—$185 b paid directly to creators in 2025, expected to double by 2030.
Source: Business Insider
Fintech & Funding in Creator <br> Economy
Goldman Sachs values creator economy at $250 b in 2023, heading for $480 b by 2027; new fintechs (Willa, Collective, Karat) are bridging funding gaps for creators and scaled agencies.
Source: Lewis Silkin
Cannes Lions and Media
M&A
Cannes rebrands its Social & Influencer Lions, launching a $ creator fund; discussions focus on AI, commerce, influencer deals, and big industry moves like Omnicom‑IPG and Skydance‑Paramount.
Power Moves
Industry updates that matter
WPP CEO Mark Read to Retire, Signals Challenging Ad Environment
The CEO of the world’s largest ad-holding group, WPP, is retiring, highlighting a “challenging” business environment and ongoing efforts in AI transformation within the advertising sector, which directly impacts funding and strategy for cultural content.
Source: Marketing Dive
Riot Games Greenlights Gambling Sponsorhips in ESports
Riot has reversed its longstanding ban, allowing betting sponsors in LoL and Valorant leagues across the Americas, EMEA, and MENA. Intended to create a new revenue stream amid an “esports winter,” Riot emphasizes integrity protections—even as fans protest gambling concerns and potential match-fixing.
Saudi Arabia Scales Up with Record-Breaking Event
The 2025 Esports World Cup in Riyadh will showcase over 2,000 players, 200 teams, and a jaw-dropping $70 million+ prize pool — the largest in esports history. With 25 games featured and world-class ambassadors like Cristiano Ronaldo and Magnus Carlsen, Saudi Arabia is aggressively positioning itself as a global gaming hub.
What PING is Watching
Quick hits PING is keeping tabs on
- The Collapse of Wall Between Creators and IP
- How AI-Driven Personalization is Eating Discovery
- The Platform Wars: Roblox, Fortnite & Minecraft Become Developer Operating Systems
Until the next drop — stay curious.
Find me on LinkedIn @charliebaillie
Explore more at ampversegroup.com
The Author
About Charlie Baillie
Charlie Baillie is a seasoned digital media and entertainment executive, boasting extensive commercial and operational expertise across Europe, North America, and the Asia Pacific. As a former executive at Universal Music Group, Charlie held the position of Asia Pacific Managing Director for the publicly listed ad technology company RhythmOne before venturing into entrepreneurship by co-founding Ampverse.
Currently serving as the Group CEO of Ampverse Group, Charlie sits on the board and spearheads the strategic direction and growth drivers of the company.
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