John Macone Email and Phone Number

Responsible for directing the UAlbany Esports program, including all on-campus gaming initiatives and community growth. Developing and organizing teams, encouraging their growth and development, and finding new opportunities for competition. Establishing working roles for current students within the program, pushing DEI focused program goals, and leveraging the program to connect students to career opportunities post-graduation. Developing marketing initiatives and social media for the program, as well as leading the development and construction of a new large-scale Esports and Gaming facility on campus for student usage.Also involved in supporting, leading, and encouraging gaming and esports ecosystem development for schools, government, and businesses in the wider Capital Region.

Currently a Twitch Affiliate, streaming action games, fighting games, and variety content at twitch.tv/actionjohn centered around community events, monthly game nights, and more.Also running an associated community Discord server with over 150 members that holds weekly online events, a Final Fantasy 14 Free Company, and bi-annual in person get togethers. Focuses on semi-casual gaming, community building around hobbies and interests, and providing a place for people to organize their own play within community guidelines.

Engaged in freelance consulting services and writing for businesses, individuals, non-profits, and academic institutions, primarily as an expert in gaming and esports.I've written and edited pieces for Metafy, The Citrus Collective, IAPWE, and other individuals and businesses. This includes short-form and long-form writing, marketing pieces, press releases, live and remote event coverage, enterprise pieces based on personally conducted research, and more.I've served as a consultant for Freedom Learning Group, Daniels Esports Group, and for individual businesses and universities on lesson plans for prospective esports athletes in high school and college, providing feedback on academic standards, health and wellness best practices, and esports related requirements and needs for a student athlete. I also give feedback on business development opportunities, and provide research assistance when needed.

Primary owner of day to day competitive needs for NACE during main competition hours during the season. Answered questions from membership regarding rules, regulations, and bylaws while acting as a supervisor for live broadcasts, working together with stream production to coordinate team attendance, and acting as a live referee. Gave input on committee meetings under the Director of Competition, and conducted collegiate esports research projects for the organization at large.

Responsible for reviewing and formulating student academic plans, advising on graduation path, answering questions related to HACC courses, and processing academic changes for students.

Served as Messiah University's official Smash Ultimate Coach. Responsible for leading the team's growth and development, as well as assisting in the coordination of the program. Includes team and individual practice, training regimens, setting up scrimmages, overseeing team members when they travel on behalf of the University, and preparing for NACE Starleague official matches.Undefeated in our division 10-0 (Fall 2022)Member of the NACE Spring Playoffs Seeding Committee 2023 for Smash Ultimate

Captures game footage for use by Jellyfish LLC for various fighting games. Game footage is collected to fit a pre-written script with particular needs in short form, and also includes collecting B-Roll match footage.I also edit file formats, modify game content, give creative input when necessary on rough drafts, and provide input transcription services for professional match footage.

Responsible for editing and reviewing all external and internal content on Metafy, as well as theorycrafting and organizing what future site content will look like. Collected and edited over 90 spreadsheet pages worth of Smash Ultimate game data as part of our Collections project. Optimizing SEO utilization across site pages including Headers, game descriptions, and other content ideas to include SEO practices in a user-facing natural way.Spearheaded activations at Collision 2022, a major Smash Ultimate tournament. This was a fully featured Metafy booth including multiple challenges, giveaways, and community engagement activities to collect data, directly connect with our user-base, take feedback on the site, and encourage new user adoption. Also conducted on-site content creation needs, booth tours, and live interviews.

Primarily responsible for overseeing and growing the social media channels and presence of the Harrisburg University Storm, their official esports team. Includes management of Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and IG Stories, and Twitch, as well as coverage of major events (including event photography) like the NACE convention and HUE Invitational. Developed brand voice and maintained consistent content calendar before, during, and after the pandemic, focusing on an active community presence.Also responsible for leading a team of student interns, serving as a primary connection to press and media workers, providing graphics as needed for social platforms and live streams, and improving student relations and engagement from within the esports program. I've contributed to the program at large by creating pitch decks, speaking in classes and camps, and participating in conference panels on the university's behalf.While at Harrisburg University I grew their social platform following by about 250%, vastly expanding the reach of the Storm and solidifying their culture as a collegiate esports leader eager to collaborate with other programs. Engaged in behind the scenes content centered on various players and staff, and growing their own channels alongside official Storm platforms.

Established an athletics based esports program with three teams. Reduced original budget estimates from $150,000 to $80,000. Secured an equipment partnership with ASUS valued at $15,000. Began recruitment, connected to local high school esports programs, and joined the National Association of Collegiate Esports. Also includes player recruitment and the design and construction of a training facility.

Created and developed Rutgers Esports' Community Management division, being in charge of establishing their social media presence and golden operational standards. Produced picture, graphic, and video content to promote various seasonal events for many different game titles and organizations, while leading a team of six student volunteers to run social media platforms, promote event partners, and schedule a content calendar

I served as the Head Coach for Rutgers University's Smash for Wii U Collegiate Team. Drafting an entirely new A and B team, we pushed through national qualifiers and made it to the finals for this year.

Pitched, researched, edited, and designed daily news coverage pieces focused on the Fighting Game Community. This includes in-person live event coverage, remote stat tracking and reporting, and website work using WordPress and HTML. Specialized inlong-form enterprise content, personally organized interviews, and social media posting.

Responsible for maintaining All is Fighter, a social media and blog-focused website dedicated to fighting game communities and competitive play, also including chat and ladder features.Covered multiple events including 2009 New York Comic Con for the floor presence of Ultimate Marvel vs Capcom 3, worked with multiple website design formats, and managed a volunteer staff of over 10 individuals focused on keeping consistent editorial content, addressing user concerns, and pushing new initiatives.Also hosted large scale remote events with various prizing initiatives, community-focused events to ensure site growth, and managed site-wide forum, live stream, and ladder chat moderation.