The spotlight on GRID’s talented and worldly team members shines on Dylan Kim, Senior Business Partner focused on Korea. Joining GRID last year, Dylan’s experience and network within the Korean ecosystem is vast and his contributions are valuable to the business. His work has most recently shined in GRID’s recently announced partnership with the Korean Esports Association (KeSPA). Read on to learn more about his history and work in the industry!
1. Where do you primarily work from? Are you based in one of GRID’s offices, or do you work remotely?
Most folks assume I’m working out of Korea, but my base is actually the Berlin office. I swing by Korea every quarter to handle partner management. Back in Berlin, my work is mainly remote, but I make a point to pop into the GRID office at least once a week to catch up with folks and deal with work stuff.
2. You have over 20 years of experience in the industry. Can you tell us what your day-to-day looks like as a Senior Business Partner on the GRID?
Hard to believe it’s been 20 years in this industry! Working in esports for so long has allowed me to connect with some great partners, really shaping my professional journey. It’s cool to see folks who started out as juniors now running the show as CEOs. This experience has led me to mainly collaborate with partners in Korea.
My day usually kicks off early due to the time difference, starting with chats and teamwork with our Korean partners. I handle various tasks – managing relationships, planning stuff out, working with different teams, and keeping an eye on what’s happening in the market. Client meetings and negotiations are also on the menu, making sure our services match what our clients are looking for. Plus, I’m always digging into the industry to spot new opportunities and help grow GRID.
3. Can you describe some notable projects that you have worked on? What are you working on currently?
A recent noteworthy project involves a partnership with the Korea e-Sports Association (KeSPA). This partnership not only reinforces our standing as a top official data provider in Korea but also opens up avenues for both commercial and public interest ventures. We’re optimistic about the positive impact it will have on expanding our business and participating in diverse initiatives, further establishing our presence in the Korean market and beyond.
4. How would you describe what GRID does as a company?
GRID is a company that has introduced new growth models to the esports industry enabled through technology. The esports industry has just crossed the 20-year mark. Throughout this period, companies involved in game development, tournament organization and streaming have dominated the market whereas GRID offered something new to the industry.
I believe GRID stands out by focusing on solving the challenges of in-game data and offering a fresh perspective and technological solutions to the evolving landscape of the esports and the wider gaming industry.
5. Each GRIDer pursues a variety of unique interests in their free time. What are some of your go-to hobbies outside of work?
I sometimes feel like I might come off as a bit unexciting. When faced with this question, I took a moment to ponder how I spend my free time. It appears that I used to have a variety of hobbies like bowling, skiing, water skiing, car racing, photography, and PC games. However, these days, on weekdays, my main joy comes from sharing delicious meals with my family at home and indulging in captivating Netflix shows. However, that might be because I am living in Germany 🙂
During the weekends, you’ll mostly find me playing golf, relishing the exercise and fresh air in wide-open spaces. Unwinding with friends over a beer on weekends magically wipes away all the stress.
Look out for the next edition of Meet the Team!
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