Long-running UK-based (and now US-owned) eSports organisation Team Dignitas has appointed a new CEO, who has outlined some of his plans.
Jonathan Kemp has joined the organisation, which last month was acquired by US basketball team the Philadelphia 76ers and merged with Team Apex.
As the CEO, Jonathan will oversee all aspects of Team Dignitas including branding, publicity and competitive and commercial strategies.
He will work with team president Michael O’Dell and general manager/VP Michael Slan, and is part of a growing management team at Dignitas, which also includes chairman Greg Richardson.
The new CEO held the position of COO at game publisher Eidos, overseeing games including Lara Croft: Tomb Raider and Hitman. He also served as the International Olympic Committee’s interactive entertainment partner and licensee for the London 2012 Olympics Games, supervising brand integration in gaming content.
He has also worked at marketing agency Epsilon, working with brands including Jaguar Land Rover and the Wasps Rugby Football Club.
Jonathan told The Score he wants to implement “some of the things that we’ve learned in addition to what Odee [has done at Dignitas] and Michael and David Slan have done at Apex”.
“By that, I mean looking at nutritionists, sports psychology, physio, and just providing the environment whereby the players can be successful,” he added.
“It is my goal to ensure that we continue to field winning teams and that we work closely with the passionate Team Dignitas fans.”
Jonathan Kemp
Jonathan stated in a press release: “It is my goal to ensure that we continue to field winning teams and that we work closely with the passionate Team Dignitas fans.”
There was quite a bit of marketing talk and business hyperbole in Team Dignitas’ official press release.
Jake Reynolds, Philadelphia 76ers senior VP of ticket sales and service, commented: “In the eSports space, and with a renowned brand like Team Dignitas, we have the opportunity to build an elite team, offer premier exposure for partners seeking a portal into the competitive gaming market and most importantly, amplify engagement and access for our fanbase.
“Jonathan’s experience in game publishing and activating partnerships with major global brands will elevate our partnership offerings in a professional sports ecosystem that is growing at an unprecedented rate.”
Team Dignitas is now owned by an investor group called Apollo Global Management. This is led by Joshua Harris, who also co-owns English football club Crystal Palace.
Further reading:
- Team Dignitas acquired by Crystal Palace co-founder, returns to League of Legends via Apex
- ODEE says it’s a landmark day in eSports, but why did the 76ers buy Dignitas? Here’s what the new owners had to say
- Comment: What does the future hold for Dignitas and who is behind the brand?
Dom is an award-winning writer and finalist of the Esports Journalist of the Year 2023 award. He graduated from Bournemouth University with a 2:1 degree in Multi-Media Journalism in 2007.
As a long-time gamer having first picked up the NES controller in the late ’80s, he has written for a range of publications including GamesTM, Nintendo Official Magazine, industry publication MCV and others. He worked as head of content for the British Esports Federation up until February 2021, when he stepped back to work full-time on Esports News UK and offer esports consultancy and freelance services. Note: Dom still produces the British Esports newsletter on a freelance basis, so our coverage of British Esports is always kept simple – usually just covering the occasional press release – because of this conflict of interest.
