The recently unveiled Mastercard Gamer Academy was introduced during the Advertising Week in New York. The initiative was announced by Raja Rajamannar, chief marketing & communications officer and president of the Healthcare Business at Mastercard.
About the Mastercard Gamer Academy and its objective of promoting equal opportunities in the gaming and esports industry, refer to the blog post ‘Leveling the playing field: Why we’re creating the Mastercard Gamer Academy’, authored by Rajamannar.
Per Rajamannar’s blog post, the Mastercard Gamer Academy is designed to provide an career development experience to gamers around the world. The focus is on creating a supportive, inclusive environment for all to pursue their passions — and thrive. Starting later this fall, aspiring gamers around the world are invited to apply to be part of the curriculum-based program, which will kick off in 2024. Drawing on Mastercard’s partnerships, the curriculum will build skills needed to pursue careers in esports and gaming — while providing access to gaming and esports professionals and major esports events.
Since 2018, Riot Games has been the first partner to sponsor League of Legends and has been instrumental in creating a range of diverse esports games. Additionally, they have developed programs like VCT Game Changers to support and mentor women in the gaming industry.
Collaborating with G2 Esports, a renowned global esports organization, Riot Games aims to empower women’s gaming teams by providing them with equal support and training opportunities as male teams. This inclusive approach has resulted in achievements in both Valorant and League of Legends.
Mastercard has established a strong presence in the gaming industry, creating strategic alliances and introducing innovative offerings that benefit consumers globally. Additionally, the brand has recognized the immense appeal of the esports realm. Taking this into account, Mastercard has recently expanded its sponsorship in the esports sector by incorporating Valorant Champions Tour (VCT) – a rapidly expanding esport – as well as VCT Game Changers.
