The convergence of music and gaming worlds becomes more interesting every day.
This week, it’s been confirmed that Zach Katz – former President of BMG in the US, and former CEO of Raised In Space – is joining FaZe Clan as President and COO.
The news comes two months after MBW revealed that Katz had joined FaZe Clan’s board, where he sits alongside the Chairman of that board, Lee Trink.
Trink, also FaZe Clan’s CEO, also has a music industry background: he’s the one-time President of EMI Capitol Music Group, and a former General Manager of Virgin Records.
As President and COO of FaZe Clan, Katz will now report to Trink.
For those unfamiliar with its story, FaZe Clan is primarily an eSports media platform based in the US.
It represents professional gaming ‘clans’ across multiple interactive entertainment titles including Call of Duty, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds, Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege, FIFA, Valorant, Fortnite Battle Royale and Rocket League.
As a media company, it has some reach: FaZe Clan’s YouTube channel, for example, has nearly 9 million subscribers and over a billion video plays.
FaZe Clan, which also runs a successful supplement division, recently announced plans to go public via a merger with a US-based SPAC: B. Riley Principal 150 Merger Corp.
The combined company is expected to have an implied equity valuation of approximately $1 billion inclusive of nearly $275 million in cash on its balance sheet. The merger is expected to close by the end of July.
Zach Katz will now oversee FaZe Clan’s content, talent, merchandise, consumer goods, sponsorships and eSports businesses.
“FaZe Clan sits at the intersection of gaming, creator economy and culture, all of which we believe is leading the growth of Web3,” says Lee Trink, CEO of FaZe Clan.
“FaZe Clan sits at the intersection of gaming, creator economy and culture, all of which we believe is leading the growth of Web3.”
Lee Trink, FaZe Clan
“We are squarely focused on building the future and by adding Zach to our team, we are gaining a proven leader who has extensive experience in working with innovative, cultural brands.
“Through my longstanding relationship with Zach, I trust that he will help catapult our company into the next phase of growth, and bring operational excellence to FaZe as we become a public company.”
Said Katz: “Building on FaZe Clan’s leadership in youth culture, our goal is to further push the boundaries of gaming to drive innovation in entertainment.
“I can’t imagine a more exciting moment to join FaZe Clan’s passionate team and community.”
Katz began his career as a music attorney, then moved into music management, representing prominent artists, producers and songwriters.
From there, he co-founded and served as CEO of the record label and music publishing company Beluga Heights which partnered with Sony Music, and later, Warner Brothers Records.
Katz also served as Executive Vice President, Chief Creative Officer, and then President of Records, Publishing and Operations of BMG before co-founding and serving as CEO of music-tech investment fund Raised In Space Enterprises. His co-founder at Raised In Space was Scooter Braun.
After leaving Raised In Space earlier this year to launch his own venture in music, Carte Blanche.Music Business Worldwide