Left to right (back) Kairos’ Chris Parnell, Mike Craddock, Drew Townley and Luke Bristow, and (front) Horizon’s Kieran Wood and Will Mollett
Update (June 22nd 2022): Creative agency Kairos Media has announced its further expansion into the US with a base in New York City.
Headquartered in London with a global presence, including representation across Manchester, France, Germany and the US, Kairos Media is opening a dedicated New York location to further grow its North American operations and serve its US-based clients.
Alongside a new location, Kairos Media will be expanding its existing headcount on the East Coast with roles across account and influencer management, as well as on the creative side of the business.
Chief strategy officer and creative director, Ross Crump, is relocating to lead the expansion on the ground, heading up the New York office.
Original article:
Gaming media company Kairos Group, which has operations in London, Manchester and elsewhere, has acquired Manchester-based gaming and content organisation Horizon Union.
Horizon is the latest organisation to join Kairos Group, which is also home to Kairos Media, Kyma Media, Turopium Sports and Entertainment and Kairos Ventures.
Founded by Kieran Wood and Will Mollett in 2017, Horizon has grown to house more than 35 creators and works alongside brands like Gfuel, Boost Gaming and ChampionUS.
The news comes after Horizon Union entered esports last month with the acquisition of Apex Legends esports team Top Dogs, competing in the Apex Legends Global Series (ALGS) league. Horizon says it’s focused on continuing to develop and nurture grassroot competitive talent.
Horizon founders Kieran and Will previously worked at Kairos Media for two years, with Kieran as an account manager and Will as a campaign manager.
Horizon co-founder and operations and commercial lead, Kieran Wood, said: “Working with the Kairos Group team for nearly two years has been nothing short of a life changing experience, both professionally and personally.
“I could not be prouder of what we’ve achieved so far, but we’ve still got a long way to go. Horizon’s future is looking very strong, with even more partners and creators joining and more esports ventures in the pipeline – we can’t wait to begin this next phase under the Kairos Group umbrella.”
“Horizon adds a completely new pillar to Kairos Group – a gaming organisation with ambitions to do esports the right way in the UK and beyond. We already have some of the most forward thinking brands on this journey with us and Horizon only adds to the incredible offering for any partner.”
Drew Townley, Kairos Group
Horizon co-founder and talent and partnerships lead, Will Mollett, added: “Working with Kairos Group is nothing short of a phenomenal opportunity for growth, not only as an organisation but also for our creators, who are always at the forefront of Horizon. Surrounding ourselves with like-minded individuals, who know the space better than anybody else, assists in all areas to the highest degree. The future is bright and I cannot wait to get started.”
Drew Townley, CGO of Kairos Group and MD of Kairos Media, commented : “Will and Kieran have been some of the brightest minds and hardest workers at Kairos Media since they joined. The opportunity for Kairos Group to support a journey, that I have no doubt they would have excelled at regardless, was too good to turn down.
“It adds a completely new pillar to the Group with a gaming organisation itself, with ambitions to do esports the right way in the UK and beyond. We already have some of the most forward thinking brands on this journey with us and Horizon only adds to the incredible offering for any partner.”
Founded in 2015, Kairos Group has offices in the UK, as mentioned, with teams also in Germany, France and the USA. The group has worked with big brands including Facebook, Epic Games, KFC (remember that KFConsole?), JBL and Porsche.
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.
