Helmed by a woman, the new digital platform adds to the media company’s elite roster of brands and celebrates the true spirit of sports, while contributing to the rise of E-Sports.
After 31 years of serving the standard for Filipino media excellence through establishing pioneering titles, One MEGA Group now ventures into sports entertainment and lifestyle.
“This is truly an exciting time for One MEGA Group. Today, we are launching the third homegrown brand since the pandemic took us all by storm. I am so proud to finally announce that joining the elite roster of prestigious media brands such as MEGA, Lifestyle Asia, BluPrint, Modern Parenting and OneMega.com …. is a title dedicated to celebrating the true spirit of sports, The GAME!“, said Marga Tupaz, AVP for Publishing and Marketing at One Mega Group in her opening remarks at the launch event today.
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One MEGA Group officially launched its first sports title, The GAME, at the Snaps Sports Bar, Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila. Founded by James Leonard Cruz, the newest media brand aims to serve aspirational sports lifestyle stories that speak to the whole community.
Tupaz also thanked guests for their presence and added, “The GAME is a media brand that I believe in and am personally advocating for. There is so much more to sports than just competition. I’m not an athlete but I am raising athletes. So I know a thing or two about intense trainings and competitions, dealing with setbacks and heartbreaks, and all the sacrifices athletes have to make for love of the game.”
At the helm is a woman who is no stranger to sports. Amanda Fernandez started playing football when she was 13 and developed a fervent love for the sport since then. She graduated cum laude from the University of San Diego, majoring in Business Economics. She owned and managed a semi pro football team called Sikat FC from 2011-2015 and currently owns Sparta Philippines, a training facility that has been helping both players and individuals learn the benefits of active living.
James Leonard Cruz, publisher; Annika Caniza, writer
Athletes have always been at the forefront of sports. After all, there is no game without the player. But there would also be no game without other cogs playing the part. The GAME has arrived to redefy how sports is viewed through shedding light on each and every individual in the community. “There is no bigger inspiration of founding The Game than being able to show love to the ENTIRE sports community. We believe that the individuals and groups that make up the entire sports ecosystem deserves more love and we’re here to give that to them,” Cruz narrates.
Carefully designed to be an aspirational sports lifestyle media brand, The GAME will chronicle the latest industry news, historical wins, and iconic stories that feature various perspectives in the community. “The sincere goal and mission of The GAME is to be able to play its part in elevating and upgrading the overall Filipino sports experience through socially responsible content and entertainment,” Cruz adds. For the founder, it is also equally important to help the industry advance and grow in whatever capacity the media brand can.
Tupaz adds, “With the rise of digital technologies and more advanced content platforms we’re seeing the standards and engagement for sports content online increasing exponentially. And since the pandemic struck, E-Sports has garnered a lot of attention as well. For the first time, it’s become possible for everyone to create stunning visual experiences, and engage in immersive and interactive online games. And this is exactly what The GAME aims to do. They are committed to producing multimedia content that athletes, fans and brands can enjoy and relate to.”
Captured on The GAME’s inaugural issue is the recent victory of the Women’s Philippine Women’s National Football Team (PWNFT). Highlighting their groundbreaking win, the team wanted to honor and recognize the talent that Filipinas can offer as they continue to break barriers in the world of sports. “Putting them on the cover sends a clear message that The GAME is a new and fresh take on sports media,” Cruz says.
“The team behind The GAME is ready to hit the ground running. And as a full fledged football mom, I am excited to see all the amazing things these talented individuals are going to come up with. We hope for your continued support throughout this journey, and I look forward to more collaborations in the future — with the athletes, the sports organizations and of course, with the brand partners and advertisers as well, Tupaz concludes.
The GAME is dedicated to power through sports lifestyle and entertainment. Cruz shares, “Like any new young brand, we’re very eager to explore and meet with everyone to find out how we can work together as we believe one way or another that our mission ties us together through our mutual passion for sports.” Moving the industry forward, The GAME is ready to begin!
Banner photo courtesy of The GAME.
