Global esports organisation Team Liquid announced today that former Warner Bros TV Production UK CEO Claire Hungate has joined as president and COO.
The entertainment, media and digital veteran will split her time between London and the company’s European headquarters in Utrecht.
In her new role, Hungate will oversee Liquid’s profit and loss and overall global business strategy and operations, defining and leading plans for global expansion, acquisitions and new revenue streams. In addition to leading the organisation’s business and commercial planning, she will also provide oversight for the company’s ongoing diversity, equity and inclusion efforts.
For more than 20 years, Claire has had a hand in establishing or redeveloping businesses built around the monetization of content-driven audience engagement. Most recently, she served as independent director at international games publisher Avalanche Studios Group and chair of production music library The Nerve.
Beginning in 2014, she spent several years as CEO of Warner Bros TV Production UK. She stepped into the role after facilitating Warner Bros.’ purchase of her previous company, UK- and US-based television production group Shed Media PLC.
At Shed, Hungate served as COO, leading a team that acquired and integrated multiple independent production companies to form the so-called ‘super indie’. This included the acquisition of Wall to Wall, where she was MD. The independent company is known for its Oscar-winning theatrical documentary Man on Wire, and reality entertainment formats Who Do You Think You Are and Supernanny – both of which were remade for the US market.
“As the industry continues to grow, we have a real opportunity to help set the agenda for the future of esports both culturally and commercially. Team Liquid have played a critical part in establishing esports history to date and I hope I can help them continue to make that mark.”
Claire Hungate, Team Liquid
Subsequent to her tenure at Warner Bros, Claire helped transform multi-channel network Brave Bison Group PLC into a profitable social content studio and media network, making it the second-largest global, media and entertainment digital publisher on Facebook.
She is also a qualified lawyer and spent the first few years of her career at the BBC in a legal role.
“I believe that quality is the best business model and Team Liquid embodies that through its direct relationship with its engaged, loyal and growing audience,” Claire Hungate said.
“Liquid is a foundational player in esports and has grown into a global and multi-generational brand. As the industry continues to grow, we have a real opportunity to help set the agenda for the future of esports both culturally and commercially. Team Liquid have played a critical part in establishing esports history to date and I hope I can help them continue to make that mark.”
Team Liquid founder and co-CEO Victor Goossens added: “From the moment we first met Claire, we’ve admired her knowledge, experience and passion, as well as how closely they align with our business and cultural endeavors.
“She already embodies the ‘Liquid Way’ and is the right fit to help us advance our priorities and drive the industry forward.”
In addition to Hungate’s appointment, Liquid also promoted Boudewijn Kryne to VP of fan management. Boudewijn, who previously served as the department’s director and will continue to focus on the development of the growing Liquid+ platform, will report directly to Claire Hungate.
Team Liquid have a host of UK esports talent on their teams, including Welsh League of Legends player Alphari and several UK players in the Team Liquid Valorant team.
Dom is an award-winning writer who graduated from Bournemouth University with a 2:1 degree in Multi-Media Journalism in 2007.
As a long-time gamer having first picked up the NES controller in the late ’80s, he has written for a range of publications including GamesTM, Nintendo Official Magazine, industry publication MCV as well as Riot Games and others. He worked as head of content for the British Esports Association up until February 2021, when he stepped back to work full-time on Esports News UK and as an esports consultant helping brands and businesses better understand the industry.