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How Sports Micro-Influencers Are Building Active Communities and Driving Brand Engagement

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How Sports Micro-Influencers Are Building Active Communities and Driving Brand Engagement

 

When you think of micro-influencers and communities, there’s a good chance you think of social media. Influencers are a product of the online world, and until now, this is where they have always existed. There is, however, a change beginning to happen, especially in the world of sports influencers.

Content creators, while still conducting the bulk of their business online, are now beginning to create active communities in the real world through organised events. This provides businesses with the opportunity to collaborate with them and shine a spotlight on their products, giving potential customers the chance to experience them firsthand.

An Influencer Revolution

This influencer revolution, if you will, is happening in streets and parks all around the world. Currently, there is a trend, particularly in the fitness and sports influencer space, for active involvement and building real-world communities. This trend presents some incredible opportunities both for micro-influencers and the brands they represent.

Trends are, by their very nature, cyclical, and we are starting to see a major shift in the way people want to engage with one another. We have spent the last decade or more glued to our screens, building communities, swiping right, and creating digital relationships. There is a growing revolt against this type of interaction.

Head down to your local park a few evenings a week, and there is a good chance you will see a stampede of active young people come flying past you, chatting with one another and very often wearing the same sports gear.

The running club boom is just one example of how online communities are now beginning to engage in the real world. Micro-influencers are starting to organize meet-ups and host events, all of which are encouraged to drive engagement and foster real-world connections.

Gen Z audiences, in particular, have shown a strong craving for authenticity, and this shift into the real world highlights that. Social media allows people to build carefully curated profiles, but this is stripped back when you attend one of these events and get a chance to really engage with communities.

A Unique Opportunity

This genuine engagement presents a powerful opportunity for sports brands and marketers, and we are seeing it unfold in real-time. A quick Google search of run clubs or meet-ups taking place in New York in June 2025 shows sponsored events from Lululemon, Gym Shark, and several other major brands.

There are also several coffee shops within the city hosting running clubs, and some holding hiking events and a monthly cycle.

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These are moving endorsements from online to the real world. Let’s say, for example, you are a small sports shop in Austin and you want to target customers in the city. Teaming up with a local micro-influencer and hosting a running event or hike with them will not only get you exposure, but it will also allow you to let attendees try your products.

This has been extremely effective for many sports brands in the last few years, and given the current appetite for these kinds of events and clubs, you can rest assured that if they like your product, attendees will do the heavy lifting for you on social media.

Brand Benefits

What’s more, these kinds of events are extremely cost-effective. You don’t need to spend any money setting up the event; all you need to do is create a partnership with a micro-influencer, provide them with some free samples, and you’re good to go. Of course, the more involved you are with the event, the better.

Unlike many social media opportunities, these in-person events can be an excellent way for micro-influencers and brands to interact in real-time. This presents a unique opportunity to showcase shared values, demonstrate products, and genuinely engage with potential customers.

Of course, this also helps the online influence of micro-influencers grow stronger. Once people have had a chance to engage with online communities in real life, they are more likely to keep that engagement going online. This, in turn, empowers the endorsements of micro-influencers, which is hugely beneficial for businesses.

This change also marks a new era in the world of digital and social media marketing. Businesses now have the chance to collaborate in the real world, and we at SGG Media have a network of micro-influencers who have the power to make these kinds of events and interactions happen. Marketing evolves, and this is an exciting new era that businesses should look to throw their arms around and embrace.

Author: Troy Paul, CEO of SGG Media

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FBM® returns to OIGA with new milestones and high-performing slots

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FBM® returns to OIGA with new milestones and high-performing slots

 

FBM® is gearing up for another impactful participation at the Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association Conference & Tradeshow (OIGA), taking place from July 14 to 16 at the OKC Convention Center in Oklahoma City. This year, FBM will join Delta Gaming Solutions at Booth 918, presenting four standout slot products that represent the latest chapter in its expansion in the US gaming market.

FBM’s presence at OIGA 2025 comes at a strategic time, following a series of key accomplishments in the past 12 months. The company has deepened its market penetration by installing games in several new casinos across the country. The rollout of a broader catalog of titles reflects the operators’ growing confidence in FBM’s value proposition.

At this year’s OIGA expo, FBM will exhibit four titles that speak directly to enhancing player engagement and operator’s performance:

  • Ji Hǎo Link™ game series includes four titles: Golden Lóng™, Fortunate Héping™, Eternal Fènghuáng™ and Great Weiyan™. The powerful dragon, the wise turtle, the eternal phoenix, and the brave white tiger promise to deliver thrilling gaming sessions in a mechanic where the common bonus triggered by the Jí Hǎo Link™ pagoda takes the spotlight.
  • Jí Hǎo Link™ Spirits is the perfect choice for players seeking thrilling, long-lasting, and entertaining gaming sessions. The unpredictability of the Spirits feature, which can reward players with free “flights” and big wins during the main game or free spins, builds excitement around the Golden Lóng™ Spirits and Eternal Fènghuáng™ Spirits titles.
  • Xing Fú Fortune Money Trees™ brings excitement, suspense, and adrenaline to any casino floor with game mechanics based on the Prosperity, Strength, and Fortune accumulators. The Xing Fú Fortune Money Trees bonus can offer up to seven different game experiences and is the gateway to collect the four available jackpots present on this slot theme.
  • Croc’s Lock™ is a 30-line slot with an exciting storyline and compelling features. Super Croc is this gaming experience’s hero working with 15 independent reels, where the Extra Coins and Extra Spins accumulators lead player through an entertaining journey.

OIGA is one of the most important tradeshows in the North American gaming calendar, and FBM views the 2025 edition as the ideal platform to strengthen partnerships and expand operator relationships in this key market. Mike Medlin, FBM’s General Manager of Sales & Operations, together with Emily Snow, Delta Gaming Solutions sales director, will welcome and engage directly with all tribal operators, agents, and industry stakeholders trying FBM’s slots and seeking competitive, high-performing gaming solutions.

This momentum underlines the brand’s ongoing mission to deliver top-tier gaming experiences to U.S. players, especially within the tribal sector. OIGA 2025 also sets the stage for FBM’s larger showcase coming in October at G2E Las Vegas, an event that will mark the global reveal of new games and innovations designed to uplift the gaming experience in North America. Visit Booth 918 at OIGA 2025 and try FBM’s slots.

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Limited Run Games Achieves the Impossible: Announcing Pre-Orders for Standard and Collector Editions of DOOM(™) on the Super Nintendo™ Entertainment System!

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Limited Run Games, a premium publisher of physical and digital games, announced today the opening of pre-orders for the long-awaited DOOM, arriving on physical cartridge for use with the Super Nintendo™ Entertainment System!

To celebrate this remarkable release, Limited Run Games are also pleased to announce the opening of pre-orders for the SNES™ compatible Rumble Tech Controller, bringing vibration technology to SNES games for the very first time!

In a move that only Limited Run Games could have the audacity to pull off, the impossible became real, partnering with Bethesda Softworks to introduce a remarkable special edition of the classic game, some 30 years after the original DOOM first debuted for the SNES™.

Headed up by legendary programming wizard Randal Linden, who first worked on DOOM for the SNES in 1995, this enhanced version is no mere re-release of the original. Determined to do justice to the iconic shooter which birthed the modern FPS, this new version expands upon the original with a host of new features, ‘impossible’ graphical tricks and engineering dark magic that will leave 16-bit gamers breathless with excitement!

Created utilizing an all-new, custom-made board, designed specifically for this project, Limited Run Games’ version of DOOM for the Super Nintendo, greatly enhances performance which SNES enthusiasts will scarcely believe possible. Limited Run Games have fully restored the entire DOOM experience, featuring all four episodes of DOOM including ‘Thy Flesh Consumed,’ which was originally introduced in 1995 as part of the updated PC release ‘The Ultimate DOOM. There’s much more than that though, also included are levels that were missing from the original release due to technical limitations, with five new levels implemented including E1M6, E2M2, E2M5, E2M7 and E3M5, delivering a complete DOOM experience for the humble SNES for the very first time.

Limited Run Games ain’t done yet: In addition to the improved performance and restored levels, DOOM now proudly includes support for circle-strafe, monster re-spawning on Nightmare difficulty, an appearance by the dreaded translucent Spectre monster, full-motion video logos and so much more.

A release this special demands a new controller to take advantage of the enhanced features, and here, Limited Run Games have gone the extra mile. Pre-orders open on 7/11/25 for the SNES compatible Rumble Tech Controller (sold separately), an open-source gamepad which will feel familiar to fans of the original SNES controller but now comes complete with powerful dual vibration support! Naturally, this new version of DOOM includes rumble support, but Limited Run Games are showing love to the community, offering open-source support to developers and modders, allowing third parties to update their games to include rumble support or code new titles utilizing the feature!

Back to the game and players will take note of a new music player which has been included to relive the superb score of the game, high quality title and score-card screens added, and a Level Selection menu alongside a Level Code system, which allow gamers to tackle DOOM in the method of their choosing.

It’s DOOM that shouldn’t be possible, fusing old-school technology with state-of-the-art enhancements to deliver a thrilling new take on the iconic game.

Two versions of DOOM for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System will be available, with both open for pre-order on 7/11/25:

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Doom Standard Edition – Super Nintendo Entertainment System – $99.99 MSRP

 

  • Metallic Gunmetal Colored SNES Cart
  • Instruction Booklet
  • 12” x 16” Poster
  • Retro SNES Box

Doom Collector’s Edition – Super Nintendo Entertainment System- $174.99 MSRP

 

  • Exclusive Collector’s Edition SNES cartridge – Metallic-ink Gunmetal color with Blood Splatter print and Metal Plate Label
  • Premium Embossed Foil Box
  • Instruction Booklet
  • 12” x 16” Poster
  • Individually Numbered Certificate of Authenticity
  • Limited to 666 copies

Pre-orders for Doom on the Super Nintendo Entertainment System go live on 7/11/25, but be quick, pre-orders close on 8/10/25. Visit Limited Run Games for more information.

The Limited Run Games SNES compatible Rumble Tech Controller will retail for an MSRP of $34.99 and will be open for pre-order on 7/11/25.

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G2E INTRODUCES FIRST-EVER U.S. DEALER CHAMPIONSHIP

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The inaugural G2E Dealer Championship will debut this year at Global Gaming Expo 2025, presented by the American Gaming Association (AGA) and organized by RX. The much anticipated competition brings together top casino dealers across the U.S. to compete for the title of the best dealer in America.

The multi-day event will culminate in cash prizes for the top three competitors.  Additional details and nomination eligibility can be found by visiting www.globalgamingexpo.com.

The competition is open to full-time, part-time, and dual-rate dealers employed at land-based or online legal, regulated casino operators in the United States and requires nomination through their employer. Each casino property may nominate a maximum of one participant per operator property, with no more than four properties per enterprise considered for participation. Every participating dealer must be accompanied by a table games executive from the same property, who will also serve as a judge during the event. 

Contestants will each deal Blackjack and traditional Roulette for 15 minutes, evaluated on technical skills, hospitality, and game control. Participation in both games is required. Based on the number of participants, the competition will feature a series of elimination rounds to determine the champion and runners-up.

“We’re thrilled to introduce the inaugural G2E Dealer Championship as one of the exciting new additions to this year’s event,” said Korbi Carrison, RX’s Event Vice President for G2E. “This competition celebrates the incredible skill, precision, and showmanship of casino dealers across the country as well as highlights the vital role they play in the gaming experience. The dynamic and engaging experience will recognize top talent and is sure to bring even more energy to the show floor.”

“This is more than a competition – it’s a recognition of the professionalism and talent that drive our industry forward,” said Debi Nutton, casino industry veteran and G2E Dealer Championship advisor. “Dealers are an integral part of the gaming experience, and the face of the industry for so many guests. I’m proud to help shine a spotlight on their craft at the industry’s biggest stage.”

Inspired by and in collaboration with the European Casino Association’s European Dealer Championship, G2E’s event will showcase their expertise while also engaging in skill challenges that highlight technical precision, flair, and a commitment to exceptional player experience. Designed to celebrate professionalism and talent within the industry, the G2E Dealer Championship promises to be a must-attend event at G2E this year. 

For 25 years, G2E has served as the premier global event for the legal, regulated gaming industry, fostering innovation and driving growth across casinos, hospitality, technology, iGaming, sports betting, and more. The event will welcome over 25,000 industry professionals from more than 120 countries, regions and territories, and nearly 400 exhibitors showcasing the latest global gaming technologies.

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