Sidemen Outfit Arcade Brings in New Head of Original Video to Oversee Exciting New Projects
Arcade Restructures Leadership, Appoints New Head of Original Video
Arcade, the management firm representing YouTube collective The Sidemen, has undergone a significant restructuring, introducing a new Head of Original Video from News UK to enhance its focus on intellectual property development and original content.
In light of the changes, Arcade founders Jordan Schwarzenberger and Sam Uwins have formalized their roles as CEO and COO, respectively. The company has appointed Connor Suckling, a former executive from News UK and LADbible originals, to oversee original video initiatives. This appointment aligns with the expansion of Inside, The Sidemen’s reality series, which has transitioned from YouTube to Netflix. The show’s third season has been confirmed alongside the establishment of Sidemen Productions.
Suckling’s recruitment coincides with the BBC’s inaugural foray into YouTube originals, indicating a competitive landscape in the digital content arena.
In addition, Arcade has made strides in its Creator Access division by hiring former Google global product lead Adam Smith, focusing on direct advertisement sales in conjunction with YouTube content. Joe Lamb, previously the Head of Arcade Creative, has been promoted to Managing Director of the commercial division.
At Sidemen Entertainment, Victor Bengtsson has ascended from Managing Director to CEO, where he will spearhead a growing team expected to exceed 50 employees.
Led by KSI, The Sidemen boast over 100 million subscribers and billions of views across various channels. The group is known for its merchandise and an annual charity soccer match that frequently sells out Wembley Stadium. Last year, Lumina Media, led by Thomas Benski, made a significant seven-figure investment in Arcade, acquiring a minority stake in the company.
Schwarzenberger expressed enthusiasm about the developments at Arcade, stating, “We’re thrilled about the movements here at Arcade. With key hires from some of the biggest companies in the world, alongside the creation of new verticals, it’s an exciting time for us and momentum is only going one way.”
