Subnation Adds Senior Executives and Industry Leaders From Ultimate Media Ventures, E3 and FaZe Clan


Subnation, the leading media and brand advisory company focused on the culture of gaming and lifestyle of esports, today announced a series of executive hires coming from Ultimate Media Ventures (owners of ULT), FaZe Clan, and the production company behind flagship industry events like E3 and Anime Expo. These additions come on the heels of Subnation’s second year of exponential growth, driven by partnerships with RAZER, Volkswagen, Westwood One, Greater Raleigh (NC), ESL, and L’Oreal, to name a few.

“Subnation has become a trusted voice in the gaming and esports community,” said Seven Volpone, Co-Founder & CEO of Subnation. “We work with some of the biggest brands, event producers, Convention and Visitor Bureaus, and the gaming community at large, to deliver premium content, immersive experiences, limited edition products, and original IP that embodies the gaming lifestyle. The addition of Chris, Carla and Alec will allow us to expand and accelerate our business while diversifying the core competencies of the organization.”

Chris Mann is joining as Chief Operating Officer, where he will oversee all day-to-day operations including growth of content initiatives and expansion of product collaborations, such as the Company’s recent limited-edition drop with Batman Beyond artist Bernard Chang and CS:GO creator Minh ‘Gooseman’ Le. Chris joins Subnation from Ultimate Media Ventures, where he produced esports & gaming lifestyle apparel, content, and experiential design as their CEO.

Carla Rizzo is joining as Head of Brand Partnerships, where she will lead the business development team and continue building relationships with global brands, publishers and marketing agencies. Carla previously served as Executive Director of Sales at Dolaher Events, where she managed experiential and digital marketing activation programs for coveted gaming and lifestyle events including Silicon Valley ComicCon and E3.

Alec Strasmore is joining as Head of Influencer Relations, where he will expand the talent network, and work on packaging branded content and original programming. Prior to Subnation, Strasmore managed artists like Post Malone and Justin Bieber, and most recently served as Creative Coordinator for FaZe Clan.

Chris, Carla and Al will join gaming visionaries and Subnation Co-Founders Seven Volpone, a music and entertainment industry veteran and former senior advisor at ESL; Ed Tomasi, a long-time esports veteran who served as Vice President at ESL; and Doug Scott, the former President of Ogilvy Entertainment and EVP Brand Partnerships at Endeavor.

“As an individual who identifies primarily as a gamer, and having produced gaming lifestyle content, premium products and brand experiences over the past several years, it was clear to me that my passion and skill set was perfectly aligned with the mission of Subnation,” stated Chris Mann. “I am excited to develop original stories and innovative IP that expands the Subnation community and shapes gaming culture.”

Subnation’s multifaceted business creates IP like its original series LVL UP, where host Alex “Goldenboy” Mendez “levels up” gamers with a home makeover including the latest hardware from brand partners like VIZIO, Razer, and RIG. Additionally, Subnation advises sports alliances as well as local and regional Convention and Visitor Bureaus on how to become a viable destination for the gaming community and esports tournaments, and build a healthy and sustainable event offering that has a direct economic impact.

“Throughout my time at E3, partnering with Subnation always resulted in compelling gaming content and immersive brand experiences,“ said Carla Rizzo. “They are seasoned professionals who strive to define the culture and lifestyle of gaming, and as an evangelist, we will continue to bring the Subnation experience to the masses.”

About Subnation:

Subnation celebrates and elevates the culture of gaming and lifestyle of esports through the development and production of original IP, content, live programming and brand experiences. Working closely with brands, partners and industry leaders as a trusted advisor, Subnation has created high energy events featuring musical performances, live art installations and immersive activities that bring together creators, gamers and consumers to hear, see, shop, and discover their shared passions.

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