The leading B2B esports events and media company, Esports Insider, and Singapore-based esports marketing agency, Redd+E, are proud to announce the key tracks for the upcoming ESI Singapore event, to be held on June 20-21.

ESI Singapore is the premier esports conference and showcase in the Asia Pacific region and it promises to be an exciting and informative exploration of the future of esports, with a focus on Commercialisation, Revenues & Investment; Web3; the Creator Economy; Community and Education. The event is supported by Main Stage Sponsor GRID; AV Partner The Gym Esportscentre and event partners Shikenso Analytics and ACN Newswire..

The Asian Civilisations Museum (ACM), a historical landmark situated just minutes away from Singapore's bustling financial centre and Marina Bay, will serve as the venue for this year’s exciting gathering of regional stakeholders and industry experts hailing from the esports, video games, Web3, and related sectors.

Attendees will have the opportunity to discuss the latest trends and developments in the sector, network, build their relationships, and explore the future of esports with some of the most breathtaking city backdrops at the ACM’s River Terrace. Esteemed speakers from ONE Esports, GRID, Shikenso Analytics and other top industry players are set to grace #ESISG with their presence. Attendees can expect the event stage to be filled with a wealth of knowledge and insights across the two days, thanks to the valuable contributions of these industry experts.

The Commercialisation, Revenues & Investment track will focus on the business side of esports, including sponsorship, advertising, and investment opportunities in the space. Experts in this track will explore the latest trends in revenue generation and diversification and offer honest insights on the current landscape, as well as how to maximise and develop revenue streams.

The Web3 track will delve into the world of blockchain and cryptocurrency, and how these technologies can be leveraged to create meaningful and real new revenue streams for esports and gaming businesses, and enhance the esports experience. Attendees can expect to learn about the latest Web3 innovations, select case studies, and their potential impact on the sector.

The Creator Economy track will explore the growing and important role of content creators and streamers across esports and video gaming and how they are shaping and adding value to these industries. Speakers will share insights on how to build a successful brand, business and how to best engage with audiences through content creation.

The Community & Esports Ecosystems track will examine the critical role of inclusivity and diversity in esports and how it impacts the pipelines of tournaments, teams and wider ecosystems. Subject matter experts will discuss strategies for building and engaging diverse communities around esports, fostering an inclusive and welcoming environment for all. Attendees can expect to gain valuable insights into the importance of promoting diversity in esports and the benefits it can bring to the industry as a whole.

Finally, the Education track (Next Gen) will focus on the role of esports and video games in education, both curricular and extra-curricular, and how it can be used to teach valuable skills and foster creativity. Attendees can expect to hear from experts on how to leverage esports to inspire the next generation of creators, players and entrepreneurs.

"We’re thrilled to bring together such a talented and knowledgeable group of industry leaders for ESI Singapore 2023," says Sam Cooke, Managing Director of Esports Insider. "The key tracks for this year's event are following key trends within the esports space and I am certain that it will offer valuable insights and opportunities for discussion and networking. I am excited about the prospect of hosting an informative and engaging event that will benefit all participants."

Co-host of #ESISG - Redd+E’s Managing Director & Co-founder, Yip Ren Kai added, “We had an astounding inaugural event for the Asia Pacific esports and gaming community last year, and we witnessed some exciting partnerships forged amongst those who attended last year.”

This year, we’re not just back with more discussions of key trends and outlooks, but to facilitate more partnerships amongst the different stakeholders and drive the growth of the APAC esports and gaming market.”

Based in London and founded in 2016, Esports Insider is an industry-focused esports news platform, B2B agency, media and events company. ESI runs a world-leading and international esports industry news site, operates The Esports Journal magazine and has run more industry events than any other company globally, from London to Los Angeles. Other arms of the company include ESI Media, as well as ESI Connect, its agency arm which offers services across Brokerage, Consultancy and Campaign Activation.

Redd+E, through its parent company Reddentes Sports, is a marketing agency that delivers smart and impactful solutions in the areas of esports.

K-Pop girl group I.V.E is set to make their debut in Singapore with their first-ever fan concert here on June 5th. The group will be putting on a show at The Star Theatre, featuring all their best hits.

I.V.E, also known as International Visual Explosion, is an up-and-coming K-Pop girl group who have been steadily gaining fans since their debut in 2017. With their catchy tunes and high-energy performances, this is sure to be an unforgettable show.

In addition, K-Pop superstar Suga of BTS will be performing a special show at the Singapore Indoor Stadium on June 7th. This will mark the third show at the venue for the big-name artist, and tickets are sure to go fast.

If you’re over 25 and a fan of K-Pop, this is a great chance to check out two of the hottest acts in the genre. I.V.E will be bringing their unique blend of energetic pop and upbeat hip-hop to Singapore, while Suga will be showing off his amazing talents.

So don’t miss out! Get your tickets soon and be part of the K-Pop experience in Singapore. It’s sure to be an event you won’t want to miss.

The Star Theatre

The key venue of The Star Performing Arts Centre, The Star Theatre is fitted with high-end audio, video and production lighting systems for an exceptional audio-visual experience. It heightens your enjoyment of a wide range of amplified music and speech events, as well as large-scale musical theatre and dance performances.

Featuring a traditional horseshoe shape, this auditorium offers custom-designed seating, including stalls and two circle levels. The last row of seats at the upper circle level is just 56 metres from the stage, creating an intimate ambience for this grand 5,000-seat venue.

Theatre sightlines are maximised and acoustics are designed for complete audience enjoyment. Imagine the crisp clarity of speeches in an auditorium supported by the audio system of studio recordings with ‘live’ broadcast quality.

The excellent back-of-house facility will also pamper artistes and the technical crew. They will enjoy a comprehensive suite of services on and off stage at the Reception Room and other dressing room facilities.

This performance will mark Billy Bragg’s first time performing in Singapore and his first show in Southeast Asia since his 2019 Japan tour. His songs have seen him perform all over the world, from Ireland to the Netherlands, Australia to the US and Canada, and many more.

Billy Bragg is an outspoken advocate for working-class people, human rights, and social justice. His songs are universal, timeless, and topical and are often compared to the likes of Woody Guthrie and Bob Dylan. He has been a vocal critic of the Conservative British government, and a champion for the rights of refugees, immigrants, and the LGBTQ+ community.

The show is expected to highlight some of his biggest hits, including “A New England,” “Levi Stubbs’ Tears,” “The Saturday Boy” and “Waiting for the Great Leap Forwards,” as well as some of his recent songs, such as “No One Knows Nothing Anymore,” and “On social media, we can be who we wanna be.”

Billy Bragg’s music and activism has left an indelible mark on the world, and his performance is sure to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Be sure to get your tickets for “An Evening with Billy Bragg” on April 13th, 2023, 8 PM at the UCC Theatre.

Renowned singer-songwriter, author, and activist Billy Bragg is set to perform in Singapore for the first time on April 13, 2023 at the UCC Theatre. The iconic artist has had a long and illustrious career that includes 13 studio albums, six live albums, 11 compilations, and multiple tours around the globe. He has been nominated for a Grammy, and has received numerous awards, including the Roots Award at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards 2013, Trailblazer of the Year at the Americana Music Association UK Awards in 2016, and the Spirit of Americana/Free Speech in Music at the Americana Music Awards of the same year.

Billy Bragg is an outspoken advocate for working-class people, human rights, and social justice. His songs are universal, timeless, and topical, and are often compared to the likes of Woody Guthrie and Bob Dylan. He has been a vocal critic of the Conservative British government and a champion for the rights of refugees, immigrants, and the LGBTQ+ community.

This performance will mark Billy Bragg’s first time performing in Singapore and his first show in Southeast Asia since his 2019 Japan tour. Tickets for “An Evening with Billy Bragg” will go on sale October 31st, 2022 at Sistic.com.sg, and the show is expected to highlight some of his biggest hits, including “A New England,” “Levi Stubbs’ Tears,” “The Saturday Boy” and “Waiting for the Great Leap Forwards,” as well as some of his recent songs, such as “No One Knows Nothing Anymore,” and “On social media, we can be who we wanna be.”

Billy Bragg’s performance in Singapore is sure to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience that no one should miss. His music and activism have left an indelible mark on the world, and his show is sure to be an unforgettable night filled with powerful music and meaningful messages. Don’t miss this opportunity to see one of the world

With the Oscars taking place in March, all eyes are on the global entertainment industry. The glamour, revenues and audiences may all be returning post-pandemic, but the movie and live events business has yet to fully recover from the Covid crisis and is having to constantly evolve in a new environment driven by economic, technology and sustainability risk trends, according to insurer Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty (AGCS)' new outlook for the sector. AGCS is a major player in the global entertainment insurance market and has insured five of the 10 movies nominated in the Oscars' Best Picture category in 2023, continuing a long tradition of partnership with the film industry that goes back as far as the movies of Charlie Chaplin 100 years ago.

"The entertainment industry had a very positive year in 2022 and a welcome recovery is definitely underway, but we are not out of the woods yet," says Michael Furtschegger, Global Head of Entertainment at AGCS. "In the three years since the coronavirus first hit the headlines, the world has changed. The sector must continue to evolve in line with new technologies, proliferating platforms, and seismic shifts in patterns of consumption, as well as changes in the public mood, particularly among younger generations."

Despite the headwinds, consumers are heading back to their favorite entertainment venues or platforms in encouraging numbers. Global box office receipts hit $25.9bn in 2022, reports Gower Street Analytics, a 27% gain on 2021, but still 35% behind the average for the three years before the pandemic (2017 to 2019). Live music revenue is expected to exceed pre-pandemic levels in 2024, with digital music streaming subscriptions fueling growth in recorded music, where revenues are projected to reach $45.8bn in 2026, up from $36.1bn in 2021, according to PwC. Live theater is also staging a comeback with rising receipts and attendances, while the global sports industry is proving particularly resilient supported by media rights, sponsorship deals, and a calendar of fixed international events and tournaments.

The big picture

However, as with other industry sectors, the entertainment sector is not immune to economic trends such as rising costs or staff shortages. "Our entertainment clients are feeling the effects of inflation, with increased production and live-event costs.," Furtschegger explains. "Staffing costs have risen following the skills shortage that occurred in the wake of the pandemic when many left the industry. Venues are scarcer than they were because there are still many shows postponed from the pandemic that need to take place in addition to new events and festivals. Bigger events may be thriving, but smaller events are more challenged by factors such as venue, transportation, and energy costs. We expect to see more consolidation in the industry, with smaller, struggling production companies and venues being bought by larger operators."

Quality not quantity

Technology has lowered the barriers to entry for content creators, when almost anyone can upload to TikTok, YouTube or Instagram, while at the other end of the scale, the major studios and tech businesses are launching their own platforms. The sheer volume of content that is now being created and distributed makes quality a key differentiator in a crowded market.

"We see a move towards quality in film production, but this doesn't come cheap," says Wanda Phillips, Head of North America Entertainment Insurance at AGCS. "Businesses need to know they have sufficient insurance cover for sophisticated productions. Where costs increase, so, too do exposures because the costs are higher with each day of shooting, and this could be reflected in any insurance loss."

Getting vigilant about sustainability

There is a growing influence of ESG, or environmental, social, and governance issues on the sector. This year's Oscars ceremony will see green dresses on the red carpet as the Academy encourages a more responsible approach to awards-season fashion. In live events, British band Coldplay has pledged to halve the carbon emissions associated with its current 'Music of the Spheres' world tour, compared to 2016-2017, and has made a raft of sustainable commitments, including paying a surcharge for aviation fuel, sourcing ethical, sustainable merchandise, and planting a tree for every ticket sold.

"Younger generations are particularly concerned about sustainability, and festival organizers are responding to this," says Furtschegger. "More and more entertainment organizations are committing themselves to sustainability targets to reduce the emissions associated with live tours."

The virtual future

With streaming now fundamental to the entertainment and media landscape, virtual conferences are a particular growth area. The global virtual events market was valued at over $114bn in 2021 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 21.4% from 2022 to 2030. Even without a live audience, virtual conferences still carry risks, including transmission failure because of a weather event or natural catastrophe, fire affecting the broadcast unit, or network issues impacting broadcasting infrastructure. Rented equipment and studio space can also be vulnerable to property and casualty liabilities.

Reality and live content are also continuing to grow, facilitated by on-demand services and social media platforms. Virtual reality (VR) is the fastest-growing entertainment and media segment, reports PwC, with global VR growth between 2021 and 2026 expected to bring the segment to $7.6bn. Gaming is forecast to be 85% of total VR revenue by 2026.

"As the worlds of gaming, music and entertainment continue to converge, gaming platforms such as Fortnite and Roblox are increasingly serving as entertainment and social hubs, while gaming content is crossing over to social media and streaming platforms," says Furtschegger. HBO debuted 'The Last of Us', a video-game adaptation set in a post-apocalyptic world, in January 2023 to critical acclaim. Meanwhile, video games continue to develop as a spectator sport, with the total number of esports viewers worldwide possibly exceeding 640 million by 2025 according to a recent report.

Emerging risks on the scene

Health and safety protocols, particularly in the event of future pandemics, increasing weather hazards and crowd safety are some of the key risk concerns that the entertainment industry needs to monitor closely. "The Covid crisis and the recent tragic shooting incident on a film set have shown that the industry needs to remain vigilant about its health and safety protocols," says Furtschegger. Climate change is another cause for concern. "We're seeing more abnormal weather-related events – heavy storms and flooding in Europe and bushfires in California, for example. These inevitably cause havoc for live events, both in terms of cancellation exposure but also damages and human safety."

"Crowds have always carried inherent risks," adds Kurt Miner, Managing Director, Entertainment, at Allianz Risk Consulting, North America. "Event organizers are now better able to monitor large groups of people and keep them safe, as well as artists, with the use of real-time video monitoring. Safety experts can remotely monitor two or three events, which could each be taking place over 15 acres or more, spotting risks concerns such as blocked exits or damaged barriers. They can also monitor social media to pre-empt gate-rushing and prevent stampedes, sending a security contingent to the location before the situation gets out of hand." Slips and falls are the most common cause of claims from live-event policies, so organizers should ensure medical staff and transport to local medical facilities are on site.

The 2023 Academy Awards in Hollywood with musical performances by Rihanna, Lady Gaga, Lenny Kravitz and more.