Marubeni : Investment and Strategic Alliance with Global Esports Team Fnatic
May 25, 2021 at 10:07 pm EDT
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May. 26. 2021
Marubeni Corporation
Marubeni Corporation (hereinafter, 'Marubeni') led the most recent investment round in Sannpa Limited (hereinafter, 'Fnatic'), the parent company of the global esports organization Fnatic, based in London, U.K., and entered into a strategic partnership to support Fnatic in the growing Japanese esports sector.
Esports competitions are streamed and watched widely online, and are attracting attention as new media content that combines video games and such social media functions as messages from players and viewer feedback. According to Newzoo, a games and esports market research company, the number of esports fans and viewers is expected to grow from 474 million today to 577 million in 2024 globally. Because of its large millennial and Gen Z fan base, many companies around the world are actively deploying their ad budgets in an effort to reach and engage with these fans.
Founded in 2004, Fnatic is the world's leading esports entertainment brand, laser-focused on seeking out, levelling up, and amplifying gamers and creators. Fnatic teams have since claimed more than 200 championships across 30 different games. Driven by performance, Fnatic is the channel through which the most forward-thinking brands communicate with young people. Now, it delivers industry-leading content and experiences through a worldwide squad of 40 pro gamers across 8 game titles, and 100 staff in 6 offices across the world, including one in Tokyo. As a high-performance esports brand, Fnatic develops and sells video game and esport related performance gear and apparel.
Marubeni is creating a new strategic partnership with Fnatic to accelarate Fnatic's growth in Japan. The collaboration will support the expansion of the Fnatic brand and the growth of Fnatic's base of operations in Japan and Fnatic's Rainbow 6 Siege team, who are relocating to the Japan. Marubeni aims to create an internet media business highly recognized by Millennials and Gen Z.
About Sannpa Limited
Company Name
:
Sannpa Limited (Parent Company of Fnatic)
Headquarter
:
London, United Kingdom
Established
:
2004
Representative
:
Samuel Mathews, Chief Executive Officer
Main Business
:
Owning and operating esports teams, selling esports gears and apparel goods
Number of employees
:
100 employees and 40 profesional players (as of May 2021)
Website
:
https://fnatic.com
SNS
:
https://twitter.com/fnatic
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Marubeni Corporation published this content on 26 May 2021 and is solely responsible for the information contained therein. Distributed by Public, unedited and unaltered, on 26 May 2021 02:06:06 UTC.
Marubeni Corporation is a diversified group organized primarily around 12 business segments:
- sale of agricultural products and related services (47% of net sales): sale of agricultural inputs (crop protection products, fertilizers, seeds, etc.), precision farming services, formulation of crop protection products, export of cereals and oilseeds, etc.;
- sale of food products (17.6%);
- production and distribution of oil, gas, alternative energy and electricity (10.4%);
- production of chemicals and petrochemicals (6.4%);
- production of metals and mineral resources (4.9%);
- sale and financing of industrial and construction machinery and equipment (4.6%). The group also develops car sales and tire distribution activities;
- sales of consumer electronics (4.3%). In addition, the group develops real estate development and management activities;
- sale of forest products (2.3%): wood chips and biomass fuel, pulp and waste paper, paper, paperboard, hygiene products, building & construction materials and wood products;
- sale of apparel, accessories, textile and lifestyle products (1.1%);
- management and operation of aircraft and ships (1%);
- development of energy production units and industrial installations (0.3%);
- finance and leasing (0.1%): auto finance, aircraft leasing, aircraft engine leasing, leasing and renting of refrigerated trailers, commercial vehicles and commercial freight railcars, etc.
Net sales are distributed geographically as follows: Japan (37.2%), the United States (42.5%)
MARUBENI CORPORATION 
