Latest news with #JasonBailey
Cision Canada
21-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Cision Canada
Global Launch of RuPaul's Drag Race Match Queen Demonstrates Strong Early Retention and Organic Growth Through Full-Funnel Strategy
VANCOUVER, BC , July 21, 2025 /CNW/ - East Side Games Group (TSX: EAGR) (OTC: EAGRF) ("ESGG" or the "Company"), one of Canada's leading free-to-play mobile game publishers, is pleased to announce the successful global launch of RuPaul's Drag Race: Match Queen developed in collaboration with World of Wonder . Now live on iOS and Android here , the game is off to a strong start, showing early momentum across key metrics, including a standout 53% Day 1 retention on iOS in the U.S. over the July 4th weekend. Early indicators suggest that ESGG's investment in RuPaul's Drag Race: Match Queen is yielding promising early results. The company is pursuing a full-funnel marketing approach at a time when the user acquisition landscape is especially challenging, demanding innovative strategies to reach and engage players in an increasingly saturated market. "RuPaul's Drag Race Match Queen exemplifies our approach to building high-impact mobile games at the intersection of globally recognized IP, timely cultural integration, and data-driven design," said Jason Bailey , CEO of East Side Games Group. "The early performance signals across both retention and monetization validate our full-funnel strategy, and we're well-positioned to accelerate growth." The launch strategically aligned with culturally significant media moments, notably integrations into RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars 10 on Paramount+, a coordinated Pride campaign, and creator and influencer partnerships across the LGBTQ+, fashion, and gaming communities. This unified paid and organic approach enables Match Queen to maximize reach, amplify conversion intent, and improve overall marketing efficiency across the funnel. "RuPaul's Drag Race: Match Queen brings fans even deeper into the Drag Race universe with a fierce new way to play, slay, and stay connected beyond their TVs," said World of Wonder co-founders Fenton Bailey and Randy Barbato . "It's not just a game, but another extension in our storytelling, letting fans interact, engage, and live their best Drag Race fantasy." Key Launch Highlights Over the July 4th weekend, ESGG experienced a notable spike in organic growth: daily organic installs doubled, blended CPI dropped significantly, and ROAS improved meaningfully compared to the previous week. This uplift was largely driven by our in-show integration in RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars 10, which aired on Paramount+. Social and Creator Momentum: The latest piece of content featuring Trixie Mattel garnered 100K+ views and 4K+ engagements within the first six hours on Instagram alone. Ongoing influencer and creator strategy taps into trusted voices across LGBTQ+, fashion, and gaming communities - expanding reach, driving install intent, and reinforcing the game's cultural relevance. High-Impact Media Placements: Game features integrated into RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars Season 10 episodes on June 20th & July 4th . Gayming Awards trailer integration on June 25th . Pride-themed activations across WOW, ESG, and other major social channels. These results exceed industry benchmarks and highlight ESGG's understanding of what this community values in a mobile gaming experience, as well as the effectiveness of ESGG's full-funnel marketing approach. Strategic Focus Going Forward With launch traction established, the team is focused on sustaining momentum through community engagement, IP-driven content drops, and performance optimizations. This unified approach of organic and paid marketing ensures a steady stream of culturally resonant content that not only drives engagement and discovery, but also fuels paid UA with high-performing creative assets and real-time audience insights to improve efficiency across the funnel. Most recent initiatives include: Trixie Season II Content Launch (Week of June 30 ): Featuring a retro-style infomercial campaign starring Trixie Mattel Featuring a retro-style infomercial campaign starring Jinkx Monsoon Season Debut ( July 7 ): Driving new waves of in-game content and fandom engagement Driving new waves of in-game content and fandom engagement Gayming Awards ( July 8 ) integration showcasing the title in multiple high-visibility moments and supporting advocacy for the LGBTQ+ creative community in gaming media. integration showcasing the title in multiple high-visibility moments and supporting advocacy for the LGBTQ+ creative community in gaming media. RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars 10 Finale ( July 18 ) final in-show feature for this current season during the highly anticipated grand prize reveal that just occurred last Friday. ABOUT EAST SIDE GAMES GROUP ESGG is a leader in free-to-play mobile gaming, thrilling players with unforgettable experiences that spark lifelong fandom. Fueled by an entrepreneurial spirit, we are driven by creativity, flawless execution, and a laser-focused growth strategy. We develop and publish both original and licensed IP titles, license our cutting-edge GameKit(s) platforms, and strategically acquire studios or games to expand our family. Headquartered in Vancouver with around 120 talent-dense team members, we operate over a dozen titles under East Side Games ("ESG") and LDRLY (Technologies) Inc. ("LDRLY"). Together, we're crafting, launching, and publishing mobile games across our own studios and an extended Game Kit partner network—reaching players on iOS and Android worldwide. We power our success through in-app purchases ("IAP")—offering exclusive, game-enhancing virtual items—and in-game advertising. To keep growing, we focus on captivating audiences, keeping them engaged, and unlocking exciting new ways to monetize. We'll drive this momentum by launching bold new titles, enriching our current lineup, innovating discovery, expanding into fresh markets and exploring new distribution platforms. Additional information about the Company continues to be available under its legal name, East Side Games Group Inc., at . ABOUT WORLD OF WONDER World of Wonder (WOW) has reshaped international pop culture, earning 33 Emmys, inspiring two Oscars, creating global network WOW Presents Plus across 190 territories, and bringing drag culture to the world stage via RuPaul's Drag Race and DragCon. SVOD WOW Presents Plus, the exclusive home to the global Drag Race franchise and hundreds of WOW Original series, saw 35M hours of content watched in 2023 with 77% subscriber growth in the same year. WOW's pioneering television portfolio includes other smash-hit franchises like Million Dollar Listing. Their film division WOW Docs produces groundbreaking documentaries including Mapplethorpe: Look at the Pictures, Party Monster, and The Eyes of Tammy Faye . WOW also operates YouTube channel WOWPresents, music label World of Wonder Records, the WOW Podcast Network, and year-round international live events. Co-founders Fenton Bailey and Randy Barbato have been profiled in Variety's Reality TV Impact Report and Hollywood Reporter's Most Powerful Producers in Unscripted. Honors for their trailblazing work include the IDA Pioneer Award, Realscreen's Global 100 list, Banff's Impact Award, and the OUT 100. In 2022, World of Wonder was ranked #2 among film and TV powerhouses in Fast Company's World's 50 Most Innovative Companies. Forward-looking Information Certain statements in this release are forward-looking statements, which reflect the expectations of management regarding the proposed transactions described herein. Forward-looking statements consist of statements that are not purely historical, including any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results, performance or developments to differ materially from those contained in the statements. No assurance can be given that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will occur or, if they do occur, what benefits the Company will obtain from them. These forward-looking statements reflect management's current views and are based on certain expectations, estimates and assumptions which may prove to be incorrect. A number of risks and uncertainties could cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including factors beyond the Company's control. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release. SOURCE East Side Games Group Inc. For Further Information: Media Inquiries: [email protected]; Investor Relations: [email protected], 3104 - 1055 Dunsmuir Street, Vancouver BC V7X 1G4
Yahoo
06-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Everyone was quiet and we knew from that moment nothing was going to be the same
It was the moment which changed the lives of steelworkers in Wales for good. The final blast furnace and other heavy end facilities at Port Talbot's Tata steelworks shut down on Monday, September 30 triggering 1,900 job losses at the plant and more at its UK operations, including other Welsh sites. Among the workers gathered there on the final day was Jason Bailey. He was based in the primary steel boss plant, where he was an operator and hot metal pourer. "It was emotional that day. Everyone was quiet, because we knew from that moment on that nothing was going to be the same," the 42-year-old, from Neath, explained. You can read more about the historic day it closed here. "It was historical to see that the last traditional steel making we had was going. It was a whole bunch of emotions, the whole place changed. There were people there who were panicked, and people there who had their heads in the sand. "There was a guy I worked with who was 62, and he had his hands on his head and he'd be saying 'I'm done. What am I supposed to do? I've got to work until pension age, who's going to take me on at this age?' "Personally, I was gutted, because it took me four years to get into the place, and it was somewhere from a child, that was the sort of thing I wanted to do. "There were days where spirits would be up, and other times then where people would be very worried. Any bit of news played a huge part on how we lived our lives inside and out. "We didn't hear a lot, and we'd hear the most of it through the news first. Everytime we'd be coming into work and see the news crews outside, you'd think, oh no, something has happened. It would be that way, really." Mr Bailey explained that it "felt like every other month" that he and his colleagues were being pulled in to a meeting or an interview. He said: "They would basically be saying that 'we're not saying you have been selected for redundancy, but your job isn't certain'. "Walking into one of those things, you'd be hoping for someone to say 'don't worry, you're going in with the electric arc project', but that was only given to a very select few. The full Boss plant was 660 workers, and I think they kept on about 80. Everyone knew the odds were against them. "It was hard to accept when you enjoy the job, especially for those who had been there all of their lives, because they knew nothing else. There was some asking themselves 'what can I give to the outside world?'" Mr Bailey explained that when he first learnt of the looming job losses at Tata, he took a pre-emptive decision to apply for to study for a BSc in healthcare science (medical engineering) at Swansea University. Medical engineering is a hands-on role which involves testing and maintaining the essential devices used in all types of patient treatment, from anaesthesia in operating theatres to life support in critical care units. "I didn't know the course existed, but when I saw it, I thought, it wouldn't harm to apply," he said. "I was lucky enough to be awarded a place in the course starting in September, which coincided with the closure. "I'm just about finishing my first year now. I have enjoyed the challenge, it is something different compared to just doing your job. At the beginning I was out of my comfort zone, but I'm a firm believer of having a wider knowledge of things and it is great the breadth the course is providing." Mr Bailey hoped that his path could provide an inspiration to other former steelworkers about a new route they could follow. The dad-of-three said: "It is about trying to build a bridge of communication so that at least then the boys can have that option. "I know the skills that those boys have got can be transferable, they can be applied to other things. It's just about that awareness really. Boys have been at the steelworks, and have been there for years, but what they have achieved there - health and safety, initiative, out of the box thinking, that can be applied anywhere, and the NHS, and other companies, can benefit from those skills." Senior lecturer and programme director for medical engineering, Andrew Morris, added that the team at the university is keen to recruit applicants who have studied an engineering course and staff at Tata Steel fit the criteria. He said: 'We have seen Jason transition, with relative ease, applying engineering principles that he previously used in the steelworks to the healthcare setting. Dealing with medical equipment in a hospital is an important function of the entire organisation and the levels of safety and risk have parallels when comparing Tata to the NHS.' Head of healthcare science, associate professor Dr Barry Bardsley, added that the healthcare sciences programmes are commissioned to help meet the workforce needs in Wales. He said: 'Supporting applicants who move to an NHS training programme is a vital part of our strategy to facilitate meeting these needs. We welcome applicants who have science or engineering work experience, and there are both part-time and full-time options available. 'Jason is clearly using his years of experience in an engineering setting to develop his skillset to apply these principles to NHS medical equipment.' All Tata steelworkers are currently being offered free career advice through LHH with access to guidance and resources to help them transition to the next stage of their career. Steelworkers can connect with Louise Moffat, Terry Cowburn or Zoe Hodgkinson, based in LHH's outplacement centre in Port Talbot. Call 07384 116702 or email tsuk@ Get daily breaking news updates on your phone by joining our WhatsApp community here. We occasionally treat members to special offers, promotions and ads from us and our partners. See our Privacy Notice
Wales Online
06-07-2025
- Business
- Wales Online
Everyone was quiet and we knew from that moment nothing was going to be the same
Everyone was quiet and we knew from that moment nothing was going to be the same Jason Bailey was there as Tata shut down its final blast furnace in Port Talbot and faced starting life again Jason Bailey pictured at work in the Port Talbot steelworks (Image: Jason Bailey ) It was the moment which changed the lives of steelworkers in Wales for good. The final blast furnace and other heavy end facilities at Port Talbot's Tata steelworks shut down on Monday, September 30 triggering 1,900 job losses at the plant and more at its UK operations, including other Welsh sites. Among the workers gathered there on the final day was Jason Bailey. He was based in the primary steel boss plant, where he was an operator and hot metal pourer. "It was emotional that day. Everyone was quiet, because we knew from that moment on that nothing was going to be the same," the 42-year-old, from Neath, explained. You can read more about the historic day it closed here. "It was historical to see that the last traditional steel making we had was going. It was a whole bunch of emotions, the whole place changed. There were people there who were panicked, and people there who had their heads in the sand. "There was a guy I worked with who was 62, and he had his hands on his head and he'd be saying 'I'm done. What am I supposed to do? I've got to work until pension age, who's going to take me on at this age?' Jason Bailey was an operator and hot metal pourer at Tata Steel in Port Talbot (Image: Jason Bailey ) Article continues below "Personally, I was gutted, because it took me four years to get into the place, and it was somewhere from a child, that was the sort of thing I wanted to do. "There were days where spirits would be up, and other times then where people would be very worried. Any bit of news played a huge part on how we lived our lives inside and out. "We didn't hear a lot, and we'd hear the most of it through the news first. Everytime we'd be coming into work and see the news crews outside, you'd think, oh no, something has happened. It would be that way, really." Mr Bailey explained that it "felt like every other month" that he and his colleagues were being pulled in to a meeting or an interview. Jason said redundancy was 'hard to accept' in the job he loved (Image: Jason Bailey ) He said: "They would basically be saying that 'we're not saying you have been selected for redundancy, but your job isn't certain'. "Walking into one of those things, you'd be hoping for someone to say 'don't worry, you're going in with the electric arc project', but that was only given to a very select few. The full Boss plant was 660 workers, and I think they kept on about 80. Everyone knew the odds were against them. "It was hard to accept when you enjoy the job, especially for those who had been there all of their lives, because they knew nothing else. There was some asking themselves 'what can I give to the outside world?'" Mr Bailey explained that when he first learnt of the looming job losses at Tata, he took a pre-emptive decision to apply for to study for a BSc in healthcare science (medical engineering) at Swansea University. Medical engineering is a hands-on role which involves testing and maintaining the essential devices used in all types of patient treatment, from anaesthesia in operating theatres to life support in critical care units. "I didn't know the course existed, but when I saw it, I thought, it wouldn't harm to apply," he said. The evening that Port Talbot's heavy end was closed (Image: John Myers ) "I was lucky enough to be awarded a place in the course starting in September, which coincided with the closure. "I'm just about finishing my first year now. I have enjoyed the challenge, it is something different compared to just doing your job. At the beginning I was out of my comfort zone, but I'm a firm believer of having a wider knowledge of things and it is great the breadth the course is providing." Mr Bailey hoped that his path could provide an inspiration to other former steelworkers about a new route they could follow. The dad-of-three said: "It is about trying to build a bridge of communication so that at least then the boys can have that option. "I know the skills that those boys have got can be transferable, they can be applied to other things. It's just about that awareness really. Boys have been at the steelworks, and have been there for years, but what they have achieved there - health and safety, initiative, out of the box thinking, that can be applied anywhere, and the NHS, and other companies, can benefit from those skills." Mr Bailey now studies at Swansea University (Image: Swansea University ) Senior lecturer and programme director for medical engineering, Andrew Morris, added that the team at the university is keen to recruit applicants who have studied an engineering course and staff at Tata Steel fit the criteria. He said: 'We have seen Jason transition, with relative ease, applying engineering principles that he previously used in the steelworks to the healthcare setting. Dealing with medical equipment in a hospital is an important function of the entire organisation and the levels of safety and risk have parallels when comparing Tata to the NHS.' He's taking part in a three-year BSc in healthcare science (medical engineering) course (Image: Swansea University ) Head of healthcare science, associate professor Dr Barry Bardsley, added that the healthcare sciences programmes are commissioned to help meet the workforce needs in Wales. He said: 'Supporting applicants who move to an NHS training programme is a vital part of our strategy to facilitate meeting these needs. We welcome applicants who have science or engineering work experience, and there are both part-time and full-time options available. 'Jason is clearly using his years of experience in an engineering setting to develop his skillset to apply these principles to NHS medical equipment.' Article continues below All Tata steelworkers are currently being offered free career advice through LHH with access to guidance and resources to help them transition to the next stage of their career. Steelworkers can connect with Louise Moffat, Terry Cowburn or Zoe Hodgkinson , based in LHH's outplacement centre in Port Talbot. Call 07384 116702 or email tsuk@
Bloomberg
24-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Bloomberg
AI ‘Upgrades' to Kung Fu Classics Deserve Zero Stars
Opinion Chinese studios' plan to use artificial intelligence to upgrade 100 films in the genre is unnecessary and risks creating a flat, homogenized viewing experience. By Jason Bailey is a film critic and historian whose work has appeared in the New York Times, Vulture, the Playlist, Slate and Rolling Stone. He is the author, most recently, of "Gandolfini: Jim, Tony, and the Life of a Legend." Save When it comes to artificial intelligence, most folks seem to fall into two diametrically opposed camps, according to several polls. There are those who believe it to be nothing less than a technological revolution that will significantly change every aspect of how we live, and others who dismiss it as the emperor's new clothes, an ecologically irresponsible, not-ready-for-prime-time pipe dream that produces error-ridden prose and eye-sore attempts at illustration. China Film Foundation and its partners' recent announcement of the Kung Fu Film Heritage Project reminded me why I'm in the latter group.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
East Side Games Group Reports Q1 2025 Financial Results
VANCOUVER, BC, May 13, 2025 /CNW/ - East Side Games Group (TSX: EAGR) (OTC: EAGRF) ("ESGG" or the "Company"), today announced its financial results and operating results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2025. These results highlight the Company's ability to maintain profitability and healthy margins even amid seasonal and broader economic fluctuations, while positioning itself and reinvesting for meaningful growth in 2025. First Quarter 2025 Financial highlights Revenue of $18.5 million Adjusted EBITDA of $2 million DAU (Daily Active Users): 209,000. ARPDAU (Average Revenue Per Daily Active User): $0.99 Cash Balance of $5.4 million Share Buybacks: The company repurchased 169,700 shares in the quarter under the Normal Course Issuer Bid ("NCIB") for a total of $83,700. Management Commentary: "Despite seasonal softness in Q1, our core live game portfolio continues to perform well and we are investing in new features designed to enhance engagement and monetization. These core titles continue to be a reliable source of revenue and positive cash flow. We are actively reinvesting this cash flow in the expansion as a company, developing the next crop of profitable games to add to the portfolio with launch dates planned in 2025. One such new title, RuPaul Match Queen is showing strong metrics in soft launch and we are excited about it's world wide launch for the second half of 2025. We're confident in our strategy to scale efficiently and return to growth with this and other new titles this year." said Jason Bailey, CEO. Corporate Highlights: ESGG's live game portfolio continues to perform well with new features designed to enhance engagement and monetization: Team-based competitive mode launched in Trailer Park Boys: Greasy Money and RuPaul's Drag Race: Superstar. Season Pass added to The Office: Sometimes We Manage, resulting in a 9% increase to ARPDAU Milk Farm Idle Tycoon saw a 10% increase in ARPDAU in Q1 with new events, now being expanded to Bud Farm: Idle Tycoon. RuPaul's Drag Race: Match Queen has already become ESGG's top-performing match game, seeing over 500% growth in both active users and revenue during its soft launch. The global release is scheduled for June 2025, aligned with Pride Month, with a robust marketing campaign including localized activations and influencer partnerships. Soft Launch: Currently live in select markets, including the UK, with localized campaigns featuring UK drag queens Cheryl Hole, A'Whora, and Blu Hydrangea. Pre-Order & Pre-Registration: Available since April 24th on iOS and Google Play, accompanied by a milestone-driven community challenge, charity campaigns, and influencer marketing efforts to drive engagement. Worldwide Launch: Slated for June 2025, aligned with Pride Month, with a comprehensive strategy that includes app store features, influencer partnerships, and digital and live activations in key global regions. New Board Members: East Side Games is also adding two new independent members to its board. "We're thrilled to officially welcome Darren Xu and Rob McLay to our board," said Jason Bailey, CEO of East Side Games Group. "Their exceptional leadership, experience, and perspective will be invaluable as we continue to grow ESGG into a world-leading games company." Darren Xu brings extensive experience in capital markets and investor relations and currently serves as Managing Member of San Francisco–based investment firm Questline Capital. Rob McLay is the Founder of Azalea Fund LP, a private investment fund focused on small-cap public equities in North America. Both bring deep financial expertise and a shared passion for supporting ESGG's continued growth and success. Strategy and Outlook ESGG expects to continue to execute on its business strategy in 2025 and remains focused on profitable growth and driving shareholder value. Key areas of focus include: Profitability and Reinvestment within the Core Business Leveraging Existing IP Relationships to Market New Title Launches Diversifying Revenue Streams for our Game Portfolio Sustainable and Profitable Acquired Growth The Company remains active on the previously announced NCIB. The company believes the current price of the company's common shares do not fully reflect their inherent value. The Company believes that share repurchases at the present pricing levels are an effective allocation of our capital and provides value to our shareholders. The Company is in a strong position to actively monitor and evaluate all capital allocation priorities which may include new IP, user acquisition or the NCIB. The company will continue to balance the need for growth with the return of capital to our shareholders. Financial Statements, MD&A and Earnings Call Video ESG's Financial Statements for the quarter ended March 31st, 2025, Management's Discussion and Analysis (the "MD&A"), and earnings call video are available on the company's website under the investor relations section at Certain information provided in this news release is extracted from the consolidated financial statements (the "Financial Statements") and Management's Discussion & Analysis ("MD&A") of the Company for the quarter ended March 31, 2025, and should be read in conjunction with them. It is only in the context of the fulsome information and disclosures contained in the Financial Statements and MD&A that an investor can properly analyze this information. The Financial Statements and MD&A can be found under the Company's profile on SEDAR and EDGAR. ABOUT EAST SIDE GAMES GROUP ESGG is a leader in free-to-play mobile gaming, thrilling players with unforgettable experiences that spark lifelong fandom. Fueled by an entrepreneurial spirit, we are driven by creativity, flawless execution, and a laser-focused growth strategy. We develop and publish both original and licensed IP titles, license our cutting-edge GameKit(s) platforms, and strategically acquire studios or games to expand our family. Headquartered in Vancouver with around 120 talent dense team members, we operate over a dozen titles under East Side Games ("ESG") and LDRLY (Technologies) Inc. ("LDRLY"). Together, we're crafting, launching, and publishing mobile games across our own studios and an extended Game Kit partner network—reaching players on iOS and Android worldwide. We power our success through in-app purchases ("IAP")—offering exclusive, game-enhancing virtual items—and in-game advertising. To keep growing, we focus on captivating audiences, keeping them engaged, and unlocking exciting new ways to monetize. We'll drive this momentum by launching bold new titles, enriching our current lineup, innovating discovery, expanding into fresh markets and exploring new distribution platforms. Additional information about the Company continues to be available under its legal name, East Side Games Group Inc., at Forward-looking Information Certain statements in this release are forward-looking statements, which reflect the expectations of management regarding the proposed transactions described herein. Forward-looking statements consist of statements that are not purely historical, including any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results, performance or developments to differ materially from those contained in the statements. No assurance can be given that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will occur or, if they do occur, what benefits the Company will obtain from them. These forward-looking statements reflect management's current views and are based on certain expectations, estimates and assumptions which may prove to be incorrect. A number of risks and uncertainties could cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including factors beyond the Company's control. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release. SOURCE East Side Games Group Inc. View original content to download multimedia: Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
