People Behind BLAST: Faye Marlborough
2025 signals a brand new year of events across a multitude of BLAST’s ecosystems. The latest episode of People Behind BLAST spotlights BLAST’s Growth Director, Faye Marlborough who heads up the Audience team covering a wide scope of BLAST's marketing and branding activities across multiple ecosystems.
When Faye joined BLAST in January 2020, the company looked very different. Back then, BLAST Premier was in its first year after rebranding from the Pro Series, and esports was just beginning to realise its global potential. Then, of course, the world turned upside down. COVID hit, and BLAST had to pivot quickly—shifting to online tournaments, adapting to new challenges, and setting the foundation for the ever-evolving wave of projects.
And while she’s worked on some incredible projects, from BLAST’s first CS Major in Paris to launching BLAST Bash for Supercell, Faye isn’t one to play favourites. Every event, every challenge, every "1,000 beach balls in Lisbon" moment adds to the magic of working at BLAST. As 2025 gets underway, she’s looking forward to another BLAST.tv Major, the growth of BLAST Slam, and…if possible, making BLAST Maldives 2025 a reality.
So how long have you been at BLAST? Has it changed much in that time?
I recently celebrated 5 years at BLAST! BLAST has changed hugely over those 5 years, when I first joined in January 2020 we had one ecosystem (BLAST Premier), it was BLAST Premier’s first year after rebranding from the Pro Series. Shortly after joining covid hit, we had to pivot quickly to online shows and some new projects…in hindsight that was the start of what was to come at BLAST; a fast paced, ever changing, ever evolving storm of projects and titles to work on…but I wouldn’t change a thing!
And what were you doing before BLAST?
Before BLAST I had my first introduction into gaming via the team Fnatic, prior to that I spent my time across various roles in media & entertainment. I managed a little studio that made jingles for the radio, I worked on the Inbetweeners film, worked in action sports publishing (skateboarding, snowboarding etc) and most importantly & without a doubt most influentially, I spent 1 wonderful year slinging tequila in a dive bar in Bristol :)
So you are BLAST’s Growth Director, how would you describe your role and how does it differ to your work before?
My role is mostly to take credit for the incredible stuff the people in the Audience team do :) In all seriousness (and that was fairly serious) I manage the team and make sure we are on track to deliver everything needed whether that be a ticketing launch, creating a new brand for new business, driving traffic to our channels or coming up with a new campaign concept.
To be honest, as I think about it, this role IS substantially different to my previous role…there is a lot less tequila, so that’s annoying.
You also head up BLAST’s Audience team, what do they cover, is it just for specific games or does it cover all of BLAST?
The Audience team is made up of Social, Marketing, Digital, Branding & Editorial. We are a shared service that covers all games & projects that the company has including our D2C site BLAST.tv. We cover everything to do with the audience; who will be at the events, who will watch from home, where will they watch from home, what news and information will the audience read, what will they scroll through and engage with, what will BLAST say and so on…
Esports is a digital industry and with any online sector it’s always rapidly changing, how do you stay up to date with trends, changes and innovations?
Unfortunately my finger, that was once upon a time on the proverbial pulse, is rapidly ageing and for some reason nowhere to my knowledge offers some kind of botox or chemical peel to fix that yet! But I am lucky enough to have a wonderful group of individuals in the Audience team that are much cooler and trendier than I am to keep me up to date.
I think it also helps to live in a city like London, for me it’s a very inspiring place and it helps you stay in touch…a little
During your time at BLAST, have you had a favourite project or event?
I think I'd have to say our first CS Major, that really stands out as one of those first ‘this feels big’ moments while at BLAST. That being said The Six Invitational in Brazil last year was incredible to see and be a part of, the Brazilian crowd is something else, I also absolutely loved getting to see the creative we made for our Supercell Event ‘BLAST Bash’ come to life in 2024…Oh and Wimbledon last year was such great fun. There was also a ridiculous day spent physically blowing up 1000 beach balls in Lisbon. I like them all. No favourites!
2025 is now underway, what are you excited about for this year?
Another Major. That’s always exciting. Seeing the continuation of our new DOTA product ‘BLAST Slam’ will be amazing also. BLAST is moving so fast that you never really know what will come next so I’m just excited to see what weird and wonderful project we can dream up next.
Have you begun to set any goals for 2025?
Make BLAST Maldives 2025 happen!
Let's say you’ve become a part of the BLAST Broadcast in front of the camera, what role would you play? (Analyst, host, player, coach?)
I’d be a fantastic analyst, without a doubt, award winning probably! For clarity, nobody fact checks any of the things I say right? Asking for a friend…
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