Kieran Jones, VP of Revenue at Blaze Gaming

We have talked with – Kieran Jones, VP of Revenue at Blaze Gaming, about joining the up-and-coming studio and how he will leverage his experience to help drive the business towards its ambitious goals

You were recently named VP of Revenue at Blaze Gaming. Can you tell us more about your role?

I manage a pretty broad range of responsibilities at Blaze Gaming, which is a fast-paced and dynamic organisation. My main focus is on driving new sales and overseeing account management, but I’m also responsible for leading a talented team of business developers, account managers and developers. One of the most exciting parts of the role is securing high-profile, high-profit partnerships with operators and then closely monitoring the seamless integration of our content with each partner. I also coordinate game release schedules to ensure that our product roadmap meets market demands and aligns with the company’s wider strategic objectives. Finally, I play a key role in developing and optimising support procedures to ensure scalability and operational efficiency.

What prior experience made you the best candidate for the role?

I have more than 13 years of experience in sales and business development with a strong focus on driving revenue. My experience is mostly in the iGaming space having worked for organisations such as Intouch Games where I began my career as a Business Development Manager before the company was acquired by Skywind. This transition ultimately allowed me to work with some of the best minds in the industry and meant I quickly got on top of how the sector operates.

My role at Skywind was super interesting in that it was a dual role that saw me manage both account responsibilities and business development. Ultimately, my efforts led to a significant uptick in revenues off the back of securing 90 new contracts within 12 months. The result was a promotion to Head of Business Development. Over the following 12 months, I built a team of four Account Managers and Business Developers who played a crucial role in ensuring ongoing success.

Having achieved a great deal with Skywind, the opportunity to join Blaze Gaming presented itself, and I am incredibly excited by the new challenge it presents. I feel that my ability to balance long-term strategic goals with the fast-paced demands of the market will be of value to Blaze as it goes from strength to strength.

What challenges do studios face from a revenue perspective?

The biggest challenge is to stand out in what is an increasingly competitive market. With new games and features launching each day, developers must dig deep in their efforts to innovate and bring new player experiences to the market. If they don’t, they won’t stay relevant, or around, for long. Then there are internal challenges such as remaining focused and maximising high revenue opportunities while not losing sight of broader and more long-term objectives. It’s also tough to maintain consistent revenues given the rapidly changing market forces. This can be especially tough for new studios. Ultimately, given the crowded nature of the market, it’s easy for studios to get lost unless they create something that ensures they are heard above the noise being made by their rivals.

How can these challenges be overcome and how can studios ensure they make enough noise?

It requires a multi-faceted approach that includes monitoring market trends and staying ahead of the competition – in fact, these are the most important factors. Building strong relationships with operators is also a must, as is connecting with players and actively listening to their needs and using this to deliver the products and experiences they are seeking. This should help operators when it comes to innovation, something they must embrace if they are to develop the exciting features that ultimately allow them to differentiate from their rivals. This needs to be underpinned by a smart, creative team that is passionate about and capable of executing unique ideas and concepts that hit the mark with operators and their players.

What can we expect from Blaze Gaming between now and the end of the year?

The rest of the year is shaping up to be incredibly promising for Blaze Gaming. We have a product roadmap packed with exciting launches that promise to capture the industry’s attention. Our roadmap is ambitious but focuses on innovation and meeting the high standards we have set for ourselves. This includes our Bull Casio Trading Games which combine the fast-paced world of crypto trading and the sleek entertainment of a slot game. We have also put pen to paper on partnerships with key players in the market which will ensure our brand grows in both visibility and recognition. On the regulatory front, we are on track to secure licences in both the UK and Malta which will be a game-changer in terms of reach and the calibre of partnerships we can sign. Additionally, we’re collaborating closely with our marketing team, affiliates, and streamers to maximize engagement and, as we continue to scale, we’ll be bringing in top talent to support our growth and drive our vision forward.

Any final thoughts?

I’m incredibly excited about what’s to come for Blaze Gaming. With the momentum we’ve built, I believe we’re well on our way to becoming a major player in the gaming industry. Our talented team, innovative product pipeline and strong relationships with operators provide the foundation for long-term success.