ESTV News
Press Release
Zain Iraq signs an MoU with ESTV to unlock new growth opportunities for the local esports sector
Iraq, Baghdad 25th March 2025: As part of its "Every Day is an Upgrade" strategy and its commitment to support the gaming and esports landscape that attracts Iraqi youth, Zain Iraq is one of Zain Group's leading mobile telecommunications providers in the Middle East and North Africa, announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with ESTV, a leading network for broadcasting and distributing esports content worldwide. This landmark agreement aims to forge a powerful collaboration between the two entities through the Zain esports brand to explore potential esports-related business opportunities, including content distribution, tournament organization, advertising, and sponsorship initiatives.
Under this agreement, a framework will be established to define the mechanisms and collaborative approaches between Zain and ESTV, spanning several areas of collaboration throughout Iraq and the MENA region, complemented by strategic cooperation in advertising campaigns and high-profile sponsorships designed to elevate Zain's global market presence. The multifaceted partnership also encompasses co-hosting dynamic tournaments and co-creating engaging content, alongside exploring innovative opportunities for live broadcasts of Zain Esports' events on the ESTV platform.
Zain Iraq CEO Emre Gurkan stated: "Zain Esports, our flagship eSports brand, holds strategic importance, having successfully established itself as Iraq's leading eSports platform, delivering unparalleled online gaming experiences. This platform falls in line with Zain's ongoing efforts to enhance the eSports landscape across Iraq, building upon our established regional leadership position. We are pleased to partner with ESTV, which exemplifies our commitment to empowering the younger generation and enhancing our subscribers' digital experiences—customers who remain the fundamental focus of our business operations and strategic initiatives—while ensuring they have seamless access to cutting-edge developments and technologies in the rapidly evolving world of esports.“
Eric Yoon, Founder and CEO of ESTV, stated, "This partnership with Zain Iraq marks an exciting new chapter for esports in the region. By combining ESTV's global expertise in esports broadcasting with Zain's robust digital mobile infrastructure, we are creating unparalleled opportunities for gamers, fans, and brands alike. Our collaboration will not only bring world-class esports content to Iraq but also foster a thriving competitive gaming ecosystem that empowers local talent and drives the industry's growth across the MENA region. Additionally, the partnership of the ESTV+ and Zain Iraq further strengthens our commitment to delivering premium eSports entertainment to a wider audience."
Under this agreement, a framework will be established to define the mechanisms and collaborative approaches between Zain and ESTV, spanning several areas of collaboration throughout Iraq and the MENA region, complemented by strategic cooperation in advertising campaigns and high-profile sponsorships designed to elevate Zain's global market presence. The multifaceted partnership also encompasses co-hosting dynamic tournaments and co-creating engaging content, alongside exploring innovative opportunities for live broadcasts of Zain Esports' events on the ESTV platform.
Zain Iraq CEO Emre Gurkan stated: "Zain Esports, our flagship eSports brand, holds strategic importance, having successfully established itself as Iraq's leading eSports platform, delivering unparalleled online gaming experiences. This platform falls in line with Zain's ongoing efforts to enhance the eSports landscape across Iraq, building upon our established regional leadership position. We are pleased to partner with ESTV, which exemplifies our commitment to empowering the younger generation and enhancing our subscribers' digital experiences—customers who remain the fundamental focus of our business operations and strategic initiatives—while ensuring they have seamless access to cutting-edge developments and technologies in the rapidly evolving world of esports.“
Eric Yoon, Founder and CEO of ESTV, stated, "This partnership with Zain Iraq marks an exciting new chapter for esports in the region. By combining ESTV's global expertise in esports broadcasting with Zain's robust digital mobile infrastructure, we are creating unparalleled opportunities for gamers, fans, and brands alike. Our collaboration will not only bring world-class esports content to Iraq but also foster a thriving competitive gaming ecosystem that empowers local talent and drives the industry's growth across the MENA region. Additionally, the partnership of the ESTV+ and Zain Iraq further strengthens our commitment to delivering premium eSports entertainment to a wider audience."
AKSA, a global audition to find the future of K-POP
In 2025, the 'Asia KPOP Star Audition' (AKSA), a global audition program to discover and foster KPOP talent from around the world, will be held in cooperation with TikTok, ESTV, TVK, and the Myeongdong Merchants Association. The project aims to expand KPOP globally and will be held in five countries: Korea, Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand, and the United States.
Through this audition, we aim to encourage user participation through K-pop related content and expand the global user base. The event organizers, GBS M and The Loud, plan to discover talents suitable for the K-pop industry and systematically nurture them to provide various support so that they can grow as artists. This includes programs such as training, web management, short-form drama production, K-concerts, and advertising agencies.
AKSA's business objective is to promote sustainable growth of the K-pop industry through the globalization of K-pop and the discovery of new talent. In addition, it focuses on strengthening communication with K-pop fans, supporting the formation of a global community, and providing a venue for diverse cultural exchanges.
Here's how the audition works: AKSA targets vocalists, dancers, models, and creators, and in Korea, it also includes actors. The application period for the Korean K-Audition will be from April 2 to April 30, 2025, and participants must upload one self-introduction video and two performance videos to TikTok.
After that, from May 12th to 20th, an online audition will be held via a TikTok LIVE multi-guest live broadcast. Finally, from May 26th to 31st, the main open audition will be held on a stage provided by the Myeongdong Merchants Association in Myeongdong, the most popular tourist destination in Korea for foreign tourists. Meanwhile, the Myeongdong Merchants Association, as a key partner in this project, will actively support Myeongdong to establish itself as a center representing K-pop and Korean Wave culture. In particular, as the main open audition is held in Myeongdong, K-pop fans and tourists from all over the world are expected to visit Myeongdong, and through this, they plan to actively participate and contribute to the revitalization of the local commercial district and the expansion of cultural exchange.
The preliminary round will be conducted based on the TikTok short-form videos and live audition interviews submitted by the participants, and 500 people will be selected through the functions and systems of TikTok LIVE. The final round will be conducted through auditions held offline in each local country. In the final audition, 20 people from each country will visit Korea and be selected through a competition. Representatives of K-pop agencies and famous artists will participate as judges, adding high reliability.
All audition processes will be broadcasted live exclusively through the TikTok platform, and participants will be asked to create and share content in both live and shorts formats. Live broadcasts will be conducted from the preliminary round to the final round, and each participant will be required to upload three shorts videos.
In particular, AKSA signed an agreement with ESTV, the world's No. 1 game broadcaster, and TVK, the largest cable broadcaster in the U.S., to broadcast K-Audition broadcasts. This is expected to increase the global viewership of K-Pop auditions and allow for greater communication with fans.
AKSA's operating plan includes active promotion and marketing using various platforms such as local broadcasting stations, TikTok, and SNS, and operates applications, schedule announcements, and web management through TheRowd. In addition, it plans to strengthen the program's credibility and influence through collaboration with K-pop agencies, music-related companies, and the media. Selected participants will be systematically provided with K-pop-related education and training to support their growth as artists.
This 'Asia KPOP Star Audition' is expected to provide new opportunities to talents around the world who love KPOP and serve as an important stepping stone for strengthening communication with global KPOP fans.
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Through this audition, we aim to encourage user participation through K-pop related content and expand the global user base. The event organizers, GBS M and The Loud, plan to discover talents suitable for the K-pop industry and systematically nurture them to provide various support so that they can grow as artists. This includes programs such as training, web management, short-form drama production, K-concerts, and advertising agencies.
AKSA's business objective is to promote sustainable growth of the K-pop industry through the globalization of K-pop and the discovery of new talent. In addition, it focuses on strengthening communication with K-pop fans, supporting the formation of a global community, and providing a venue for diverse cultural exchanges.
Here's how the audition works: AKSA targets vocalists, dancers, models, and creators, and in Korea, it also includes actors. The application period for the Korean K-Audition will be from April 2 to April 30, 2025, and participants must upload one self-introduction video and two performance videos to TikTok.
After that, from May 12th to 20th, an online audition will be held via a TikTok LIVE multi-guest live broadcast. Finally, from May 26th to 31st, the main open audition will be held on a stage provided by the Myeongdong Merchants Association in Myeongdong, the most popular tourist destination in Korea for foreign tourists. Meanwhile, the Myeongdong Merchants Association, as a key partner in this project, will actively support Myeongdong to establish itself as a center representing K-pop and Korean Wave culture. In particular, as the main open audition is held in Myeongdong, K-pop fans and tourists from all over the world are expected to visit Myeongdong, and through this, they plan to actively participate and contribute to the revitalization of the local commercial district and the expansion of cultural exchange.
The preliminary round will be conducted based on the TikTok short-form videos and live audition interviews submitted by the participants, and 500 people will be selected through the functions and systems of TikTok LIVE. The final round will be conducted through auditions held offline in each local country. In the final audition, 20 people from each country will visit Korea and be selected through a competition. Representatives of K-pop agencies and famous artists will participate as judges, adding high reliability.
All audition processes will be broadcasted live exclusively through the TikTok platform, and participants will be asked to create and share content in both live and shorts formats. Live broadcasts will be conducted from the preliminary round to the final round, and each participant will be required to upload three shorts videos.
In particular, AKSA signed an agreement with ESTV, the world's No. 1 game broadcaster, and TVK, the largest cable broadcaster in the U.S., to broadcast K-Audition broadcasts. This is expected to increase the global viewership of K-Pop auditions and allow for greater communication with fans.
AKSA's operating plan includes active promotion and marketing using various platforms such as local broadcasting stations, TikTok, and SNS, and operates applications, schedule announcements, and web management through TheRowd. In addition, it plans to strengthen the program's credibility and influence through collaboration with K-pop agencies, music-related companies, and the media. Selected participants will be systematically provided with K-pop-related education and training to support their growth as artists.
This 'Asia KPOP Star Audition' is expected to provide new opportunities to talents around the world who love KPOP and serve as an important stepping stone for strengthening communication with global KPOP fans.
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