Scotch Whisky Brand Ballantine’s Sponsors Tundra Esports’ World-Champion Dota 2 Team in a Historic First
Ballantine’s Scotch Whisky is an official partner for the Tundra Esports team. This is a first for the brand. (Photo: Tundra Esports/Ballantine’s)
Blended scotch whisky brand Ballantine’s is partnering with Tundra, an Esports team, for The Dota 2 International 2023, Tundra Esports announced on Wednesday. This joint venture marks the first Esports partnership for the whisky brand, and the Ballantine’s logo will be featured on the jerseys of the players at the gaming tournament.
Dota 2 is a follow-up to the original battle-arena-style Dota game, which stands for “Defense of the Ancients.” Tundra’s DOTA 2 team is the reigning world champion.
The whisky brand claims it values “staying true” and “keeping it real,” which is very much in alignment with the ethos of the Tundra Esports Dota 2 team, according to European Gaming. The sponsored team holds the title of reigning world champions and will be defending their title starting Oct. 12.
“We are honoured to be the first esports team in history sponsored by Ballantine’s the Official Spirit Partner of our Dota 2 roster for the International 2023,” Tundra Esports CEO Carleton Curtis said in a news release. “This is a brilliant opportunity for us to work together in creating exciting new content and bring fans together around the world.”
Individuals interested in purchasing the Tundra jerseys with the Ballantine’s logo will be able to do so beginning Friday.
Earlier this year, Ballantine’s, Absolut and Jameson partnered in conjunction with BLAST.tv for the 10th anniversary of the Counter-Strike: Global Offensive majors in Paris, which took place in April, according to Esports Insider. BLAST, the esports event organizer and production company, was the first Esports partner for the Ballantine’s brand.
This latest venture continues the scotch whisky brand’s foray into the Esports world, which is projected to grow from 1.72 billion in 2023 to 6.75 billion by 2030, according to Fortune Business Insights.
Ballantine’s is no stranger to forging innovative partnerships, particularly within the gaming space. In April 2022, the brand announced a partnership with the video game series, “Borderlands.”
The brand “hired” the video game character Mad Moxxi to launch Ballantine’s in the gaming universe.
True to form for a brand that supports innovators, rebels and renegades, Ballantine’s Marketing Director Mathieu Deslandes claimed to be “delighted to have such an infamous entrepreneur on board.”
The Dota 2 International 2023 will be live-streamed on Twitch and YouTube, according to Esports GG.
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