Nativz Gaming

Nativz is gamifying the entire pathway from casual gamer to esports pro, building a compelling lifestyle brand to unlock the creator economy.

Founder | CEO

Techstars Web3

Business Mentor

BigFan.io

Led the business in preparation for launching our MVP and Seed Raise that was designed to empowering our underdogs with web3 technology to build their communities, reward engagement, enhance storytelling, unlock new insights and augment existing revenues – all designed to grow the business.

Co-Founder | CEO

Co-Founder | Chief Commercial Officer

KP9 Sports Consulting Ltd

Sharing my global experience across sport in the private and public sectors, from the high profile world of the English Premier League right through to grass roots participation. Leveraging success and learnings across marketing, brand, communications, sales, digital, OTT and insight to support growth and/or change with rights holders, venues and agencies.

Consultant

Shamrock Rovers F.C. 

Led the business through a commercial turnaround which resulted in double digit growth in each area. Deliverable included strategic review of ticketing, sponsorship and retail. Reporting directly into the Board of Directors. Recruitment and training of Ticketing Manager and Partnerships Manager.

Commercial Consultant

Brentford Football Club

Led the business charge to become a data-driven commercial organisation off the pitch, implementing a structured insight programme to drive business decisions, created an innovative digital strategy for growth, developed the New Stadium hospitality proposition and ticketing migration strategy.

Sales occupancy at Griffin Park has increased to a high of 86% (up from 59%) and consistent progress achieved against all stadium migration KPI’s to support a 40% capacity increase in the New Stadium, including 2,900 Premium Seats (£12m over 3 years) and a targeted 52% increase in Season Ticket Holders.

Conceived and implemented a digital (and social) strategy designed to transform the Club’s ability to grow via new audiences. This has seen engagement lift significantly (i.e. Twitter 411%), database increase of 178% in four years and online ticket sales now at 70% (up from 32%) and growing.

Developed and launched the strategy for signing off Griffin Park, the Club’s home since 1904, balancing objectives to deliver; tent pole events, engagement with fans worldwide and maximise the commercial opportunities.

Successfully rebranded Brentford FC and navigated a crest change for the club that’s seen brand recognition increase from 60% to 78% locally. Restructured BFC’s partnership rights model in 2017/18 and seen growth of £800K (160%). Led retail through change in 2014-16 having operated at a loss, now profitable with online sales growth up from 35% to 43%.

Built an entire marketing department from the ground up, attracting specialist talent and moulding them into an effective unit within the business, capable of delivering to strategic KPOs.

Director of Marketing and B2C Sales

Fulham Football Club

Successfully acquired in excess of 20,000 new customers YOY, notably achieving 98% matchday occupancy, ave attendances of 25,000, record membership sales of 8,610 (growth YOY of +39%)  and ticketing revenue growth in 2013/14 of 1% despite relegation. All achieved through a data and insight led strategy.

Led transformation of the Matchday Experience, maximising the introduction of two big screens and integration of all in-stadium fan platforms. Bespoke fan content (live & produced) for use in-ground was extended online to amplify our engagement across all digital platforms. 

Project managed the Club’s £250K Website and Mobile App development, driving online revenue growth through introducing a new robust route to market via a mobile first strategy. Official Honouree in the 17th Annual Webby Awards.

Built a highly effective department in a complex environment over 4.5 years that regularly exceeded objectives.

Head of Commercial Marketing (Premier League+Europa League)

Sport England (CSP)

Contracted to PRO-ACTIVE South London. Lead implementation of a £800k investment in youth sport for the sub-region. This programme was one of twelve pilots delivered around England.

Consultant/Project Manager

Harlequins

Developed and executed a community marketing strategy with a focus on market development. Built a segmented customer base, targeted service delivery and enhanced through key relationship management. Delivered strategic marketing projects building a profitable portfolio of community focused products and services. Created a positive, family focused, professional brand within the local South West London community. Influenced the London regional rugby league network to increase brand loyalty and supported strategic growth of the sports infrastructure and participation.

Head of RL Community Marketing

London Skolars Rugby League Club

Consultancy contract to assist with the initial stages of building this newly established professional club. New revenue streams were generated and enhanced the Club’s brand within the local and the London rugby league communities.

Business Development Manager

Techstars Class of 2022, an experienced C-Suite Exec and Entrepreneur with 23+ years experience in the sports industry internationally, highly respected member of the UK&I sports marketing sectors. A strategic commercial marketer and creative problem-solver who combines insight and method to diagnose issues and implement practical business solutions. Always keeping up-to-date with the latest technology offerings in the marketplace. Proven experience in building and managing staff and cross-functional teams, with a passion for building networks and knowledge to benefit the business.

Who would have guessed that collegiate esports in Ireland was established back in 2017?!?!

Ever since we took it over back in September 2022, I’ve seen just how much potential there is. 

Built on foundations I’ve developed over years in sport and our leadership teams experience, we’ve grown steadily — pushing the standards of production, attracting talent and reaching students across institutions.

With a Collegiate Advisory Board now in place and a new partner to announce, the Collegiate Series is primed to push further.

We’ve now tested the waters with the Company Series and Office Showdown, and the feedback has been fantastic. Our upcoming Schools Series is getting strong validation from the network. 

All of this told me one thing: Now was the perfect time to launch Ireland Esports Leagues. 

With proven success, industry validation and a passion for seeing local talent thrive, it makes sense to reveal something that had been in the making for some time that would enable us to build something bigger and better for our growing community. 

If you’re interested in what’s next please do subscribe to our newsletter (link in comments) — let’s stay connected.

#digitaltrasformation #gaming #irelandesports

Kurt Pittman

Founder & CEO Nativz Gaming | Sports & Esports Entrepreneur | Advisor | Public Speaker | Techstars Class of 2022!

Friday was a big day for Ireland Esports Leagues. 🚀

We announced that Red Bull Ireland is partnering with the Ireland Esports Collegiate Series for the 2024/25 season.

For me, this is massive — a global brand with a legendary track record in sport, gaming and innovation now backing the biggest esports competition on the island.

It’s a huge validation of the work our community, universities, colleges and students have put in over the eight years collegiate esports has been active - to grow something sustainable and exciting.

Collegiate esports has grown by ~50% in just three years, with 800+ students across 17 universities and colleges competing last season. To now have #RedBull on board will take us to an entirely new level.

This is yet another validation from schools to colleges to companies, the pathways are real and they’re growing fast.

More consistent, steady growth on the way.

Big thanks to Eamonn Seoige, Colm Lawless, Ben Mulholland, Emma Kiernan and Erica McCloskey for helping to get this one across the line.

#IrelandEsports #Esports #CollegiateEsports

Ireland Esports Collegiate Series 🤝 Red Bull Ireland 

Red Bull join us as our Official Energy Drink Partner for the upcoming 2025/26 Series ⚡️

Be sure to check out the Red Bull Tetris tournament, who knows maybe you could end up in Dubai... 🧱

Get stacking 👉 https://lnkd.in/eGQFN6SF

July wasn’t just busy — it was transformational.

We launched Ireland Esports Leagues, locked in a new Collegiate sponsor, and kept pushing Nativz Esports Club and Nemesis forward. At the same time, the global industry gave us a few signals worth paying attention to.

I’ve unpacked it all in this month’s Nativz Group Business Update — worth a read if you’re curious where esports in Ireland is really heading and our localised club blueprint for growth 👇

July was a landmark month for us – we pulled back the curtain on Ireland Esports Leagues, bringing together our Schools, Collegiate and Company Series under one banner. 

It’s the clearest signal yet of the ecosystem we’re building to serve students, alumni and professionals across Ireland (and beyond).

In this month’s Business Update, we unpack:

🔹 What it took to launch Ireland Esports Leagues and why it matters
🔹 The momentum behind our Collegiate Series, Company Series and Schools Series pilot (launching Q3/4 2025)
🔹 Our take on key global industry shifts in July – from Tencent’s billion-dollar play to Wimbledon’s esports experiment
🔹 Why localised competition models are becoming the backbone of sustainable esports

As always, we close with a challenge and a call-to-action – and this month, we’d love your help in amplifying both the Ireland Esports League launch and the 2025/26 Ireland Esports Company Series: Office Showdown.

👉 Full update in the comments.

#Education #TalentDevelopment #FutureOfWork #IrelandEsports #Gaming

The announcement may have gone out last week, but it's been a long time coming 💥

We’ve been working with Dylan Fadden (Zepcasts) and the #CODIreland community for over a year now as they bring Call of Duty (COD) back into the spotlight for Irish players.

COD Ireland were one of the first to go live on Nemesis, our white label competitive gaming platform MVP. Having a community in the trenches, running tournaments and growing the scene for the long haul is invaluable as we test and learn.

Delighted to now formalise our non-exclusive partnership between COD Ireland and Ireland Esports Leagues — not only taking the collaboration further but exploring more ways we can support each other. We're excited about where they're heading next. 🚀

Plenty more of these community partnerships coming soon… 👀
Let’s keep building.

#IrelandEsports #Esports #CommunityDriven #CallOfDuty

Ireland Esports Leagues 🤝 COD Ireland 

👏 We are proud to announce a new partnership between Ireland Esports Leagues and COD Ireland, the national community for everything Call of Duty across the island.

🚀 This collaboration marks another step forward in building a unified, island-wide structure for esports and gaming.

🗺️ As COD Ireland heads into the Black Ops 7 season, their mission to grow and showcase the full potential of Irish Call of Duty aligns perfectly with our vision at Ireland Esports Leagues:

✅ Creating pathways for young and upcoming talent to develop their skills.
✅ Providing a platform where existing players can be recognised at home.
✅ Offering opportunities for older players to reconnect with esports.
✅ Building a space for casual gamers to play with friends and enjoy the fun side of competition.

🫂 Together, Ireland Esports Leagues and COD Ireland will create new opportunities for players of all levels — from grassroots to competitive — making esports in Ireland more inclusive, accessible, and rewarding.

💬 Dylan Fadden, Founder & CEO of COD Ireland, showed his enthusiasm around the partnership saying, “We look forward to working with Ireland Esports Leagues and shaping the future of esports within Ireland.”

We couldn’t agree more — and this is just the beginning. 🔜

#IrelandEsports #CallOfDuty #Esports #Gaming #Ireland

Office Showdown: Ireland Esports Company Series Is Back! 💼

You heard it right, workplace esports returns with our Winter Series this September - who's ready to jump into game? ⚔️

Grab some more info and get registered with the link in the comments 👇

#Ireland #Esports #CompanyEsports #Gaming

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