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EMPIRE Leverages In-Game Advertising Within iOS’s #1 Sports Game To Bring Afro Pop Artist Kizz Daniel To Soccer Fans During The FIFA World Cup
American independent record label EMPIRE partnered with the world’s most advanced in-game advertising platform Anzu.io to reach gamers during the FIFA World Cup with an ad campaign for Afro pop artist Kizz Daniel’s latest single, “Cough”.
Kizz Daniel became synonymous with soccer after performing at the FIFA World Cup. Off the back of this success, his record label EMPIRE launched a cross-channel campaign to promote his new single, which he performed live in Qatar to a packed stadium of soccer fans, by tapping into the excitement of the global competition.
As gaming was part of the marketing mix, Anzu helped EMPIRE to tap into Soccer Super Star, a mobile game ranked number one in the sports games category on iOS and boasts over a million monthly active users globally (Newzoo). There’s an established synergy between music and sports gamers, with Comscore data showing that players of Soccer Super Star are up to 30 times more likely to visit music-related websites, which made it a perfect fit for EMPIRE to leverage Kizz Daniel’s performance.
Using Anzu’s geo-targeting capabilities, EMPIRE was able to serve the in-game ads to players within countries that were competing in the quarter-finals of the tournament. Intrinsic in-game advertising is already known for high attention and viewability levels, and this campaign was no exception, achieving a 99.91% in-view rate measured by Oracle Moat.
“We previously worked with Anzu on a campaign for another artist Babyface Ray and saw huge success and interest from players for his music. When we learned that Anzu was able to bring our latest campaign to the most popular sports title on iOS and allow us to hone in on our target audience of World Cup fans, working with them again was a no-brainer,” said Peter Kadin, SVP Marketing at EMPIRE.
“Using gaming as an extension of a real-world campaign or experience is nothing new, especially in sports games, as we are used to seeing ads in these environments in the real world, and in-game advertising allows advertisers to bring their campaigns to stadiums, courts, and arenas, enhancing game realism. However, this campaign was unique because it allowed us to help EMPIRE tap into the excitement of the FIFA World Cup and expose an overlap between sports and music fans,” said Natalia Vasilyeva, EVP Marketing & Strategy at Anzu.

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SKINBARON SUPPORTS GERMAN ESPORTS AND EXTENDS PARTNERSHIP WITH BIG
SkinBaron remains a loyal partner to BIG and supports German esports across the Academy and women’s segments.
Berlin, September 11, 2025 – Berlin International Gaming (BIG) and SkinBaron have been closely connected since late 2019 and are now extending their partnership, continuing a success story that spans more than six years.
At a time when the Counter-Strike community, and in particular BIG’s CS2 men’s team, has experienced a challenging year, this extension sends an important signal: SkinBaron remains a loyal companion through every high and low. In addition to the pro team, SkinBaron also supports BIG’s Academy and women’s teams, helping to develop young talent and strengthen the scene in Germany.
Beyond the server, SkinBaron is deeply connected with the community. At the BIG Overtime Party during IEM Cologne 2025, SkinBaron once again served as an event partner, showcasing its close ties to the German esports community.
Statement from Daniel Finkler, CEO, Berlin International Gaming
“I am incredibly pleased and grateful that we are extending our long-standing partnership with SkinBaron. SkinBaron has been a vital part of our journey for over six years, both during successful and challenging times. My special thanks go to Tobias Andro as the new CEO, as well as to Florian Eckstein, Tobias Herberhold, Hannes Scholdz, and all other shareholders, employees, and partners at SkinBaron. They have brought this partnership to life over the years and actively shaped it. We are proud to move into the future together with such a loyal and authentic partner.”
Statement from Tobias Andro, CEO, SkinBaron
“Our partnership with BIG has stood for loyalty, trust, and collaboration on equal footing for over six years. Together, we share a vision of sustainably supporting the German esports scene and helping talent reach the top. This extension is therefore not only a commitment to our shared past, but above all a fresh start toward a future we want to shape side by side.”
The post SKINBARON SUPPORTS GERMAN ESPORTS AND EXTENDS PARTNERSHIP WITH BIG appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Latest News
Answer the Call of the Wild: ELA Games Unveils Its Latest Game “Buffalo Force”
The studio’s latest game blends nostalgic themes and engaging features
The vast plains are alive with the sound of rampant hooves, the roar of predators, and helpful animals along the way. ELA Games proudly presents its latest release, Buffalo Force, an energetic game that celebrates the sheer power of nature.
The Call of the Wild
In Buffalo Force, players roam alongside fearsome buffalo, fierce bears, cunning wolves, and soaring eagles as they work together to hunt for big rewards. The game features 3 energetic mechanics:
- Free Spins: Land 3 Scatter symbols to enter the game’s primary bonus feature. All Wilds pay 2x here.
- Hold & Win Bonus: Unlock this lucrative feature for a shot at powerful coin prizes and even a chance at one of the mighty jackpots!
- Jackpot: Three jackpots give you the chance for mega wins: Minor (25x), Major (100x), and Grand (1000x).
Each spin holds the spirit of the wilderness, blending high-action gameplay with the studio’s signature visually-rich aesthetics.
Join the Herd
Buffalo Force combines visually stunning animations, high-performance mechanics, and well-crafted environmental design to transport players to the heart of the North American wilderness. The studio’s attention to detail and storytelling prowess immerses players as they become part of the stampede, on the hunt for wild riches.
Marharyta Yerina, ELA Games’ Managing Director, commented on the release, “Buffalo Force represents the studio’s passion for creating visually striking and memorable games that players love. We focused a lot on the game’s visuals and environmental design to immerse players in the North American wild, which helps create an emotional connection and encourages high-performance engagement. We’re excited to see the reception Buffalo Force will receive, and we have many more exciting games in the works!”
Will You Answer the Call?
The raw wilderness is waiting for you. Will you join the herd and hunt for your fortunes and a life of freedom?
The post Answer the Call of the Wild: ELA Games Unveils Its Latest Game “Buffalo Force” appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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Kongebonus statement: Norway’s election result signals gambling policy continuity, but licensing debate is set to intensify
With the centre-left retaining a narrow majority, Norway’s gambling framework is set to remain largely unchanged in the near term.
Norsk Tipping’s monopoly will continue, and enforcement tools such as payment and DNS blocking of unregulated operators are likely to remain in focus. While a shift to a licensing model appears unlikely this parliamentary term, the Progress Party’s stronger position as the main opposition keeps the reform debate active.
For industry stakeholders, the sensible course is to concentrate on compliant, sustainable strategies and to track policy signals closely as the debate continues.
The post Kongebonus statement: Norway’s election result signals gambling policy continuity, but licensing debate is set to intensify appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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