Former Head Of Apple iAd Publisher Relations To Lead NRG As New CEO
NRG, the League of Legends and Counter-Strike: Global Offensive organization, has appointed Andrew Pruett as the company’s new CEO.
Before joining NRG, Pruett worked for Apple as the global head of publisher relations and business development of its mobile advertising division.
Bringing experience to the table
Pruett also gathered experience in advertising, sales, and business development when working with enterprises like Quattro Wireless (a company founded and owned by NRG co-owner Andy Miller), Disney Interactive Media Group, Artists Management Group, and Sonic Drive-In.
Pruett told ESPN:
“I am honored to join and work alongside the best in class business leadership–spanning traditional sports, marketing, media, technology, entrepreneurship, and eSports athletes.
It’s beyond exciting to be at the forefront of this phenomenal tidal wave of a new generation of sports enthusiasts! There’s a lot to do and I’m ready to hit the ground running to build a leading brand and winning culture at NRG.”
Gerard Kelly, the previous CEO, will move to a general management role in the organization after Pruett takes on his new position. Kelly, one of the co-founders of the company, worked with Team Imagine before joining NRG.
A team of dedicated people
The founders of NRG are much more than just regular business people. Andy Miller, former Apple iAd chief, and Mark Mastrov, founder of 24 Hour Fitness, are the original two founders of the eSports organization. Both also have minority shareholdings in the Sacramento Kings NBA team.
Additionally, sports stars Shaquille O’Neil, Alex Rodriguez, and Jimmy Rollins also backed NRG by joining in on a recent investment round of the company.
“Andrew has an impressive track record at world-class companies like Apple and Disney,” Miller told ESPN. “[He] will further help develop the NRG brand and bring his creativity to working with our partners to fully leverage the massive potential of eSports.”
High performing teams in popular eSports titles
NRG’s gaming teams are currently involved in two major eSports titles – League of Legends and Counter Strike: Global Offensive. Both are among the top ranking teams globally, where the LoL team took fifth/sixth place in the recent North America League Championship Series, and the CS squad being currently ranked fifth in the ESL Pro League North American leg.
With many more League and CS:GO tournaments scheduled for this year, the NRG brand will have plenty of opportunity to present its strength in the competitive gaming scene.