How Gaming Is Up-Leveling Marketing: Lessons from Discord’s Community-Driven Approach

How Gaming Is Up-Leveling Marketing: Lessons from Discord’s Community-Driven Approach

Author: Kantar & Saïd Business School, Oxford University December 3, 2025 Duration: 39:05

Gaming has evolved into a cultural powerhouse and a vital marketing platform, reshaping how brands connect with audiences worldwide. In this episode of Future Proof, host Rachelle Minnis welcomes Adam Bauer, VP of Sales at Discord, to unpack the real-world strategies and lessons behind successful community-driven marketing.

Discover how Discord transformed from a gamer-centric chat app into a dynamic space for brand engagement, and learn what sets advertising on Discord apart from traditional social platforms. With gaming now mainstream and communities more engaged than ever, this conversation reveals how brands can successfully activate community-driven marketing—and why the future of advertising might just be on your favorite gaming platform.

Listen for an awesome conversation that will leave you inspired and may help you rethink your next campaign—and maybe even pick up a controller.


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How do you separate the fleeting trends from the fundamental shifts that will reshape business? Future Proof is a conversation built on that very question, born from a unique partnership between the rigorous academic world of Oxford University's Saïd Business School and the ground-level market intelligence of Kantar. This isn't about quick tips; it's about deeper understanding. Each episode sits down with a leading thinker or practitioner for an honest, nuanced exploration of the forces changing how brands connect with people. You'll hear discussions that cut through the noise, challenging popular assumptions with data and scholarly insight. We examine everything from the practical implications of new technology to evolving consumer behaviors, always with an eye on what it means for long-term strategy. The goal is to provide a clearer, more evidence-based perspective for leaders who want to make decisions that last. Tune in for a podcast that values substance over hype, offering a rare blend of intellectual depth and real-world application to help you think differently about marketing's future.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

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