GameSquare, the parent company of UK-based esports agency Code Red Esports, has brought skateboarding legend Tony Hawk on board as a strategic advisor.
Tony Hawk (pictured left) will act as a special advisor to GameSquare CEO Justin Kenna (right), as well as the GameSquare group of companies – including Code Red.
In a press release, GameSquare said Tony Hawk joins as the company pursues its mission of ‘bridging the gap between global brands and the large and growing gaming and esports communities’.
Tony Hawk is of course well known for his Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater video game franchise, and his charitable foundation, The Skateboard Project, has awarded more than $10m for the construction of more than 600 public skatepark projects in all 50 US states.
“GameSquare is an innovator in esports, and I’m already impressed with what Justin and his team are building,” said Tony Hawk. “Esports and video games are bigger than ever, so it’s paramount for companies to authentically connect great brands with hardcore fans.
“I believe that Justin is building something special; his vision for GameSquare is inspiring. I look forward to sharing my own experience and my approach to success with the GameSquare team.”
“Esports and video games are bigger than ever, so it’s paramount for companies to authentically connect great brands with hardcore fans.”
Tony Hawk
Justin Kenna added: “Tony is an amazing person that is an iconic brand in his own right. We are humbled that Tony is willing to share his experiences in business, entertainment, sports, video games, and digital media with our leadership team as we grow GameSquare into a leading esports company.”
GameSquare is based in Toronto, Canada, and says it’s looking to acquire more assets and entities serving the esports market and in sports and entertainment.
Gamesquare acquired all shares in Code Red Esports last year. The London-based esports agency and consultancy includes COO Luke Cotton, director of talent Ben Woodward and campaign manager Mitsouko Anderson.
British former esports host Paul ‘Redeye’ Chaloner launched Code Red in late 2016. Last year, Paul Chaloner quit esports following claims made by caster James Banks.
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.
