EPOS expand partnership with BLAST Premier

Esports tournament organiser BLAST Premier has agreed a partnership expansion with premium audio and hearing company EPOS for 2021.

Over the first year of the partnership both companies have worked together to help give esports fans a deeper appreciation and understanding of the vital role audio and communication plays in professional gaming.

The expanded partnership will see EPOS work with the tournament organizer to show the gaming community how audio holds the power to unleash the gaming experience, using
broadcast segments and player activations to help raise awareness about how premium audio elevates the gaming experience for all gamers. Last month’s 2020 Global Final saw integrated stories of EPOS’ GTW 270 Series, true wireless earbuds, into BLAST Premier’s broadcast and social media channels.

The deal will ensure that EPOS will maintain a presence across BLAST Premier’s Counter-Strike tournament in 2021. EPOS’ branding will feature heavily across all seven CS:GO tournaments this year, including more branded content opportunities and a number of bespoke giveaways on offer.

The partnership has become well known for its popular ‘Mic’D Up’ in-tournament activation that has risen to prominence during the online era while giving viewers valuable insight into how teams communicate in the heat of battle during BLAST Premier events.

Fans all over the world get a unique insight into how elite players communicate during a match and are able to hear intense mid-match moments, banter and plays that might be pivotal for the win. During the online era fans have been yearning to feel closer to the action through ‘Mic’D Up’, and the recent animation series ‘Epics’ the partnership has been able to do exactly that.

‘Mic’D Up’ caught the emotion of NAVI as they claimed victory over Astralis to claim last month’s BLAST Premier Global Final trophy: NAVI Winning Moment

Leo Matlock, VP Commercial at BLAST, said: “This partnership has really helped bring to light the importance of audio and communication in the world of esports through engaging and informative content, insight and activations.. We are always thrilled when our partners renew and expand as it is testament to everyone’s hard work and collaboration. As we look toward our second year, we hope to continue to do this while looking to leverage BLAST Premier’s record-breaking global reach to help promote EPOS’ latest products.”

Maja Sand-Grimnitz, Head of Global Marketing, Gaming at EPOS, said: “We are excited to continue our partnership with BLAST Premier. The first year of our partnership has brought
attention to the importance of audio and communication at the highest level of competition.
BLAST Premier and EPOS have a great fit as premium brands in their respective areas, and
we look forward to continuing to bring high quality engaging content to the fans.”

The expansion comes off the back of January’s Global Final match between Team Vitality and NAVI becoming the most popular and watched online event in Counter-Strike history.

The 2021 season starts this week and will unite all major tournaments, offering opportunities to all regions and will eventually crown the world champions of Counter-Strike. Up to 32 teams will take part in the seven BLAST Premier events with potentially 80 teams competing in the qualifying events, meaning the 2021 season could see up to 286 matches take place across the calendar year with a combined prize pool of $2,475,000 on the line.