Mumbai: SocialTweebs has announced a strategic partnership with AfterMath Ventures, a games and esports agency. The collaboration is designed to accelerate the growth of the gaming creator economy through a unique mix of precision targeting, performance-driven campaigns, and community-first storytelling.

The global gaming industry, valued at over USD 299 billion in 2024, is projected to surpass USD 600 billion by 2030, with India emerging as a high-growth market expected to more than double from USD 15.36 billion in 2024 to USD 35.59 billion by 2030. Unlike traditional influencer categories such as lifestyle or automotive, gaming creators operate within immersive, interactive ecosystems that drive deeper consumer engagement and long-term loyalty for brands.

Through this alliance, AfterMath Ventures will focus on building vibrant gaming communities and designing compelling gaming content and IPs, while SocialTweebs will contribute its expertise in influencer discovery, campaign execution, and advanced analytics. Together, the firms plan to deliver end-to-end solutions that merge creative storytelling with measurable performance.

Commenting on the partnership, Fauzan Abdul Rahim, Founder of SocialTweebs, said, “Gaming creators are unlike any other content segment, they command deeply invested, highly engaged audiences that brands can no longer afford to overlook. Our goal is to revolutionize the space by combining science with creativity, ensuring brands get maximum value from every campaign. We are excited about this partnership with AfterMath Ventures which allows us to combine our tech-driven influencer marketing expertise with their gaming-first creative strategies, offering brands an unmatched ability to connect authentically with this thriving community.”

Mansoor ‘Nabu’ Ahmed, Founder of AfterMath Ventures, added, “The gaming creator economy is redefining brand engagement, turning audiences into active communities. Partnering with SocialTweebs gives us the technology, insights, and reach to scale these connections meaningfully. We’re grateful for this collaboration and eager to see the impact we can create together.”

Welcome to our rundown of the most-watched branded YouTube videos of the week.

We’re publishing this snippet of a larger Gospel Stats Weekly Brand Report in order to analyze sponsorship trends in the creator economy. Any video launched in tandem with an official brand partner is eligible for the ranking.

And – as the name up above would imply – all the data comes from Gospel Stats. If you’re interested in learning more about Gospel – and which brands are sponsoring what creators on YouTube – click here.

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We won’t spoil any more–just trust us and check out this week’s Gospel Stats Brand Report below.

#1 $1,000 Every Minute You Survive
Channel: MrBeast Gaming
Brand: Shopify
Views: 9,989,083

MrBeast is on top yet again, but this time, the video isn’t coming from his main channel. It’s from secondary outlet MrBeast Gaming, where he focuses on (you guessed it) video games. Don’t get us wrong, though: This video, like all MrBeast Games uploads, isn’t the sort of Let’s Play you’d find on other channels. It has a MrBeast twist…in this case, giving out $1,000 in cold, hard cash for every minute players can survive a deadly Roblox map. What we find interesting is that this video’s sponsor, Shopify, also pays for vids on MrBeast’s main channel. We’re not surprised. Bigger, broader creator/brand partnerships are the name of the game right now.

#2 $1.8 Million In Debt… Good Lord
Channel: The Ramsey Show Highlights
Brand: Zander Insurance
Views: 6,725,999

Dave Ramsey may not have made our top 5 in a few weeks, but he’s still got some serious dough in the oven. He uploaded ~30 sponsored videos to YouTube this week across his channels. And, like many media publishers and creators, his “Shorts” are getting longer, flexing to fill out YouTube’s longer time limit (and run more ads). This two-minute Short follows a caller who works as a nurse in Montreal and has $1.8 million in debt thanks to buying two homes, two new cars, and more. As usual, Ramsey has some tough words–and it’s all paid for by his sponsor Zander Insurance, which in turn promotes Ramsey pretty heavily on its website.

#3 The billion dollar race for the perfect battery
Channel: Veritasium
Brand: CodeRabbit
Views: 6,179,315

In video #2, Dave Ramsey’s caller mentions buying two brand-new Hondas because charging up electric batteries will cost them less than paying for gas. That’s true–but what if the world could come up with not just a good battery, but the perfect battery? That’s what Veritasium wants us to consider…with caution. Lithium batteries are what power our phones, laptops, and the aforementioned electric cars. They work–most of the time. When they fail? Things become catastrophic, and quickly. Veritasium breaks down how lithium batteries are made, why they work, and why they fail–and whether science could improve on them for future, safer power. His video is the only one this week sponsored by CodeRabbit, an AI program that claims it can cut computer code review time and launch bugs in half.

#4 Who is this new girl in my house?!😨 #shorts #couple #comedy #onskin
Channel: NickandCarrie
Brand: OnSkin
Views: 5,770,661

K-beauty skincare got a major pop on YouTube during the COVID pandemic, and now K-dramas and K-pop have taken over, especially with the newly released K-pop Demon Hunters. That show gets a little cameo in this week’s video #4, as one half of YouTuber couple Nick and Carrie sashays out of the bathroom, singing its hit track “Golden.” He segues into skincare (and the Short’s sponsor OnSkin) by pretending to mimic Carrie getting out of the shower and undergoing her multi-step beauty routine. Get it, girl!

BONUS #2,106 LIZARD LIZARD (Otamatone Version)
Channel: moshibass
Brand: PCBWay
Views: 40,038

Look, it’s only Monday and it’s already been a hard week. Here’s 19 seconds of ridiculousness to give you a brain break, featuring the incredible otamatone. (Oh, and this clip is sponsored by manufacturing/assembly services company PCBWay, which was also the principal sponsor of recent creator STEM convention Open Sauce.)

…and there’s a lot more data where that came from. If you’re interested in learning more about Gospel – and which brands are sponsoring what creators on YouTube – click here.

It is no secret that the igaming industry is highly competitive, requiring brands to keep up with trends that continually evolve. Many brands strive to go beyond standard marketing tools to achieve their business goals. Collaboration with top sports clubs and organisations, especially football clubs, is becoming a key trend.

There is an objective explanation for this. Global reach, audience trust and image enhancement are not just advantages of such partnerships, but a necessity. An excellent example of such cooperation is the strategic partnership between Boomerang Partners and AC Milan.  July 2025 marked the first anniversary of this partnership. 

The Boomerang Partners approach

Boomerang Partners is currently one of the fastest-growing and most significant sports affiliate programmes on the market. In 2024, the total online betting segment of the brands in its portfolio surged 5x. The number of online sports betting offers surged more than 6x, sports traffic demonstrated a 194% increase year on year (YoY), while the number of partners increased 120%.

Behind the impressive figures lies meticulous work and precision. Achieving results in a highly competitive market is only possible with strategic planning. One of the most vital components of such work is developing a brand and reputation.

Choosing AC Milan as a strategically ideal partner

AC Milan is one of the most successful football clubs in the world, with more than 550 million fans and a rich history full of spectacular victories and trophies. For Boomerang, it was a logical choice as the two parties share common values: ambition, a desire for development and a passion for sports; creating the perfect synergy. The scale of AC Milan’s fanbase only enhances the appeal of the partnership for Boomerang.

The announcement of the partnership between Boomerang and AC Milan was one of the biggest news stories of 2024, both in the sports world and the affiliate marketing industry, reaching an audience of over 144 million. As a global football giant, AC Milan is a strong brand. Even people who are not particularly interested in sports have heard of the club and know its red and black colours (hence the club’s nickname ‘Rossoneri’).

Anton Eshtokin, chief marketing officer at Boomerang Partners, says: “The process of agreeing with AC Milan took time, which is understandable given the status of the deal. We are pleased with the results of the first year of cooperation. Among other things, it had a positive impact on the visibility and recognition of our brand.”

Realisation of partnership

The strategic partnership between Boomerang Partners and AC Milan has delivered impressive results in its first year. Key highlights include the launch of over five co-branded campaigns and the production of more than 200 AC Milan-branded creatives, showcasing the club’s iconic identity. The Golden Boomerang Awards 2025 (Boomerang Partners’ annual global affiliate tournament) ceremony was held at the San Siro in Milan, and emerged as the top-performing activation, with 80 million+ impressions from co-branded content. The most viewed campaign/video was the main co-branded campaign with partners status.

During the first year of the partnership, engagement was strong, with more than 500 fan contest participants and a reach of more than 40 million through branding opportunities. Boomerang also hosted three branded merchandise giveaways. The partnership garnered more than 300 global media mentions and achieved a 15%+ growth in organic branded search. Additionally, there were seven-plus PR and influencer collaborations and ~15 collaborative events.

Eshtokin notes: “The first year of our partnership has been inspiring and fruitful. Together with AC Milan, a club that shares our core values, we’ve built a strong image of a dependable, forward-thinking and innovative international brand with a clear vision for the future.

“Boomerang Partners’ visibility has grown significantly to the point where it’s easily recognisable. To support this, we’ve conducted thorough research that demonstrates our leadership in recognition.

“One of the highlights of our first year was the ‘Money can’t buy’ experiences, like the unforgettable moment when Andrea Pirlo, a legend of AC Milan, presented awards at our prestigious Golden Boomerang Awards ceremony, right on the hallowed ground of the San Siro Stadium in Milan.” 

Numbers that speak for themselves

Throughout a year-long collaboration with AC Milan, Boomerang Partners achieved even more impressive results: sports traffic across Boomerang’s affiliate ecosystem increased by 194%, audience interest in sports topics rose by 81% and loyalty to the Boomerang brand grew by 23%. Additionally, the sportsbook GGR growth YoY was 62.9%, and the increase in affiliate sign-ups YoY was 58%. The media effect was no less impressive: 30+ exclusive campaigns for partners, 1,000+ media mentions with a reach of 320+ million people and one million-plus views of AC Milan-related content on Boomerang platforms.

The image achievements are just as remarkable: the Golden Boomerang Awards 2025 ceremony, held at the San Siro Stadium; the participation of AC Milan legends (Pirlo, Serginho and Massimo Ambrosini) in Boomerang’s events; more than 200 partners attending the AC Milan matches (including the derby with Inter); and more than 500 merchandise items given away.

Boomerang’s collaboration with AC Milan has resulted in much industry recognition, as Eshtokin explains: “The most important measure of our success is the overwhelmingly positive feedback we receive from different parts of the industry, including our partners, influencers and media outlets.

“Naturally, this positive feedback directly contributes to our commercial success with our partners. This collaboration not only boosts the performance of our flagship brand, Boomerang Bet, but also deepens our relationships, making them even stronger.”

Partnership as an investment in the future

The partnership between Boomerang Partners and AC Milan is a strategic investment in brand strengthening and long-term growth. It is a practical demonstration of how modern igaming brands can create value through sports, going beyond standard models. The partnership between the parties is now entering its second year, and it is already clear that this is a story of how shared values and ambitions create new horizons for business and sport.

Eshtokin adds: “In the upcoming season of our partnership with AC Milan, we’re excited to build on the successful strategies we’ve used before. At the same time, we’ll be refreshing our communication approach.

“This will be the backbone of our projects, ensuring they are as engaging and uniquely memorable as ever, whether we’re working with B2B or B2C segments.”

Boomerang Partners is a rapidly growing global brand. Its portfolio contains 17+ brands offering affiliate and entertainment services across 40+ markets in compliance with local regulations.

In 2024 and 2025, Boomerang Partners held the global affiliate tournament, Golden Boomerang Awards. Boomerang is the official regional betting partner of AC Milan.

Posted in: Games, Samsung, Video Games | Tagged: GameLoop, PHȲND, Volley

Samsung has confirmed several new social games are being added to the Samsung Gaming Hub with three brand-new partnerships

Samsung confirmed this morning that it will be expanding its offerings for the Samsung Gaming Hub, as three new partners have been announced. Players who own one of their Smart TVs with the gaming option included will soon see offerings from Volley, PHȲND, and GameLoop, as they will become the first platform to have this big of an arry of titles that include voice-controlled trivia, puzzle games, and party titles that you can control with controllers and remotes that you already own. We have more info below as you’ll see games from these three rolling out soon.

Samsung Gaming Hub – 2025 Expansion

As one of the first TV platforms to develop original games, Samsung is leading the social casual party game trend alongside its partners. Last year, Samsung introduced GameBreaks – bite-sized, instantly playable games designed for everyday fun with no downloads or sign-ins required. These games are controlled using devices people already own, like smartphones and TV remotes. Building on this momentum, Samsung is introducing a new wave of partners to bring even more fun, social gameplay to Samsung Gaming Hub.

• Volley – The leading creator of voice AI games, Volley offers fan favorites like Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune, plus original hits such as Song Quiz and Karaoke. Played in over 30 million homes worldwide, Volley is pioneering a new era of voice-controlled entertainment for the living room.
• PHȲND – A free cloud gaming service for everyone – providing instant access to everything from casual games to online multiplayer titles and new exclusives directly on Samsung Smart TVs. Play with a remote control, smartphone, or game pad. No subscriptions, no time limits. Just pick your game and play!
• GameLoop – Join live hosts to discover and instantly play the wide range of free games available on Samsung Smart TVs. Just press “Play Now” to enjoy cloud games, arcade classics, party games, puzzles, word games, and more

Stay up-to-date and support the site by following Bleeding Cool on Google News today!

Posted in: Games, SEGA, Video Games | Tagged: Lizardcube, Shinobi, Shinobi: Art Of Vengeance

Shinobi: Art Of Vengeance is getting a visit from Dr. Eggman of Sonic fame, along with other guest villains in DLC content

SEGA and developer Lizardcube announced that something special is coming to Shinobi: Art Of Vengeance, as they revealed a new DLC featuring iconic bosses. The SEGA Villains Stage DLC will bring three chatacters into the world of Shinobi, giving you amazing crossover challenges as extra content. The first one revealed was Dr. Eggman from Sonic the Hedgehog, but they didn’t show off any of the footage or images beyond what you see here. Two more will be in the DLC, although they didn’t say who, as we’re sure that will be slowly revealed over time until its released in early 2026. For now, enjoy the latest stage trailer above, as the game will be released on August 28, 2025, for PC and all three major consoles.

Shinobi: Art Of Vengeance

The Oboro Clan, led by Joe Musashi, had long defended the world from evil. Until one day, fate took a tragic turn, as a dark force struck his village and burned it to the ground, with the deadly curse placed upon his clan remaining. Left with nothing, his sole focus becomes defeating those responsible for burning his village to the ground – Lord Ruse and the ENE Corp. However, the path ahead holds many challenges, for Lord Ruse wields a powerful stolen artifact that grants him immortality. Nothing and no one can stand in his way… or can they?

The iconic Shinobi returns in an all-new 2D action platformer with a unique hand-drawn look created by the team behind the hit brawler Streets of Rage 4. Play as the legendary Shinobi Joe Musashi, master of the ninja arts. After finding your village burned to the ground and your clan turned into stone, you must set off on a quest for vengeance, ready to face an unparalleled evil and avenge your clan.

• Execute The Ninja Arts With Precision: Wield your vast ninja arsenal, including the great Katana Oborozuki, Kunai, Ninjutsu arts, and Ninpo to vanquish your foes.
• Master The Way Of The Shinobi: Unleash limitless combos with unique combat moves, acquire Amulets for enhanced abilities, and discover Ningi tools to overcome obstacles and uncover new paths.
• Journey Through a Stylistic New World: Venture through more than a dozen unique and visually striking stages, from military bases to a scorching desert, challenging platforming puzzles, and hidden secrets.

Stay up-to-date and support the site by following Bleeding Cool on Google News today!

WILTON, Conn., August 19, 2025–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Affinity Esports Group, Connecticut’s premier provider of healthier gaming, has acquired CT Esports Academy and expanded its partnership with Riverbrook Regional YMCA. This marks a key expansion in Affinity Esports’ presence, bringing esports programming and community engagement to Wilton.

“This acquisition allows us to unify and elevate the esports experience for Wilton families and demonstrate what we can do alongside a partner like the Riverbrook Regional YMCA,” said Mark Kilpatrick, Founder and CEO of Affinity Esports Group. “We’re honored to build on CT Esports Academy’s foundation and offer new opportunities for learning, growth, and healthier gaming.”

This fall, Affinity Esports’ offerings will include after-school programs, game nights, social gaming clubs, educational classes, club teams, and birthday parties. For families seeking weekly care options, the After-School Study & Play Club runs weekdays from 3–5 PM, with school-to-YMCA transportation available. For a more personalized experience, private coaching is also offered in gaming, content creation, and coding.

Fall programming begins August 25 and runs through December 31. Registration is now open at wiltonymca.org/gaming-esports.

“Affinity Esports has shown a deep commitment to our values and our members,” said Christene Freedman, CEO of Riverbrook Regional YMCA. “At the YMCA, we believe in meeting young people where they are—and today, that includes the digital arena. Esports is more than gaming; it’s a gateway to teamwork, leadership, and opportunity. By partnering with Affinity Sports, we’re expanding our mission to foster community, inclusion, and personal growth in a space where youth already thrive.”

“Passing the torch to Affinity Esports is something I feel truly confident about,” added Richard Casner, former CEO and Owner of CT Esports Academy. “Their vision and experience make them the right leaders to take this program to the next level.”

Affinity Esports is exploring new relationships with schools, recreation departments, and nonprofits in Wilton and beyond to grow engagement.

About Affinity Esports Group

Affinity Esports Group is Connecticut’s leading organization for healthier gaming. With studios in Newtown, Milford, and Wilton, plus a statewide network of mobile partners, Affinity delivers structured, inclusive programs in welcoming spaces where players of all ages can build skills, learn, and connect.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250819452303/en/