MTG targets US digital growth with MTGx hire

Scott Rupp

Modern Times Group has appointed Digital Artists Entertainment boss, Scott Rupp, to develop the presence of its MTGx digital arm in the US.

Rupp will be tasked with developing US opportunities for MTGx’s portfolio, expanding the company’s international network and sourcing new digital investments.

Rupp has 20 years experience in digital media and entertainment and will be based in San Francisco. Before joining MTGx he was CEO of Digital Artists Entertainment, the VC-backed start-up behind Ignition – an influencer content sharing platform.

Prior to this he worked at companies including Gazillion Entertainment, McKinsey and Company and Deutsche Bank.

“Our portfolio companies have a strong presence in the US, along with many of the world’s largest digital media businesses. It’s a natural next step for MTGx to put a man on the ground in this global entertainment and technology centre,” said MTGx CEO and executive vice-president of MTG, Arnd Benninghoff.

“Scott’s amazing experience and relationships will open up even more fantastic opportunities for our business, while giving us the inside track on the very latest trends such as 360 video, VR and AR.”

MTGx already has a presence in the US through investments in companies that have a footprint there. Last month, MTG bought a 35% stake in German online games developer and publisher, InnoGames, which claims that a quarter of its gamers are based in the US.

Last year, MTG also acquired a 74% majority stake in Cologne-based eSports specialist Turtle Entertainment, which operates the ESL brand, has a studio and office in California and organises eSports events in the US such as ESL One New York.

On top of this, the US is an important market for MTGx’s multi-channel network Zoomin.TV. MTG bought a 51% stake in the MCN for roughly €44.9 million last year.

Rupp’s appointment comes a week after MTG’s Sweden-based executive chairman of MTG’s digital MTGx, Mathias Hermansson, announced he would leave the company in early 2017.