Gamesforum's Mobilize and Monetize Podcast

Think ad fraud is just a marketing problem? Think again. In mobile gaming, it’s a $150 billion global crisis, bigger than the illegal organ trade, that drains budgets, ruins data, misleads strategy, and even burns 2% of the world’s electricity. Pola Vayner (https://www.linkedin.com/in/pola-vayner/?originalSubdomain=de) , a leading Operations & Fraud Prevention Consultant, breaks down the most ...

In this episode, Sven Jürgens, Mobile Growth Consultant, shares insider strategies on navigating the shifting sands of mobile ad platforms and data privacy challenges. Learn how to structure teams for maximum creativity and efficiency, balance hard data with compelling creatives, and uncover overlooked opportunities in Conversion Rate Optimization. Sven also dives into emerging ASO trends and r...

In the industry, it is an issue we know all too well - sexist ads, deceptive ads, fail ads, the list goes on. In this episode, we speak to the regulators confronting the darker side of mobile game advertising. Jessica Tye, Regulatory Projects Manager at the UK’s Advertising Standards Authority (ASA), joins us to break down their latest crackdown on sexist mobile game ads. We explore the landmar...

As the UK’s ASA bans sexist mobile game ads, we speak with Kate Minogue - former Paddy Power analyst, ex-Meta, and founder of Kate Minogue Consulting - about how advertising fuels exclusion and shapes gender perceptions in gaming, both for players and within industry leadership. Recorded after the removal of the disturbing No Mercy game from Steam and the release of Netflix’s Adolescence, we e...

Ahead of his Rewarded UA panel at Gamesforum Cyprus, Director of Growth at SciPlay, Itay Milstein, draws from his experience at SciPlay, sharing how social casino games have adapted to challenges that all developers now face – from privacy changes that upended user acquisition to rising competition for player attention. Itay talks about practical approaches to building player communities that l...

In this podcast special, Mariam talks with Sergei Vasiuk, LiveOps Director at Wargaming, the studio behind the massively successful World of Tanks franchise. In this episode, Sergei goes through each of his seven predictions for AAA live service games: Games Will Become Platforms, Not Just Games Full Cross-Platform & Cross-Progression Will Be Standard Players Will Demand Higher Launch Standa...

Kristan Rivers, CEO of AdInMo, joined the podcast to break down why 72% of game makers are doubling down on hybrid monetization. From seamless in-game ads to evolving revenue strategies, he shares key insights on where the industry is headed.

In this Mobilize & Monetize podcast special ahead of Gamesforum Cyprus, we sit down with Outfit7's Head of Ad Monetisation, Dheeraj Matta, to break down the evolving landscape of mobile game monetization. From balancing short-term ad revenue with long-term growth to navigating privacy regulations and the shift toward first-party data, we explore the strategies shaping the industry. Plus, with C...

Dafna Ben-Onn, SciPlay’s Director of Monetization, pulls back the curtain on the strategies that fuel successful free-to-play games. From the psychology behind LiveOps events to the power of data-driven offers, she reveals how SciPlay keeps its games fresh, fun, and financially thriving. She also unpacks the biggest challenges in game monetization, the shifting landscape of privacy and mobile g...

In this episode, Kira Chesalina, Creative Director of AAA Agency, reveals how data-driven creativity fuels game marketing success. She breaks down audience psychology, the power of influencer authenticity, and the fine line between player engagement and brand messaging. From blockbuster franchises to indie gems, Kira shares how AAA Agency tailors strategies to fit each game's unique audience. ...

In this episode, Kira Chesalina, Creative Director of AAA Agency, reveals how data-driven creativity fuels game marketing success. She breaks down audience psychology, the power of influencer authenticity, and the fine line between player engagement and brand messaging. From blockbuster franchises to indie gems, Kira shares how AAA Agency tailors strategies to fit each game's unique audience. ...

In this episode, Mariam Ahmad speaks with Melinda Spence, Head of Measurement & Insights at Activision Blizzard Media, about the "Play It Forward" and "The Many Ways we Play" reports, which highlights gaming’s ability to drive stable immersion—combining attention and emotional resonance—for better ad performance. Melinda shares insights on gaming’s diverse audience, mobile’s role as a gateway p...

In this episode, we're joined by Sagi Schliesser, CEO & Co-founder of CrazyLabs. With over 7 billion downloads and 250 million monthly active users, Sagi talks about CrazyLabs' success, and discusses how the hyper-casual and hybrid casual genre has evolved since CrazyLabs entered the market, and the role data science and analytics play in designing, testing, and marketing successful games. The ...

In this episode, Mariam sits down with Gamesforum's very own Head of Product, Josh Vowles, to talk about the Top Mobile Games Challenges: A User Acquisition, Ad & Product Monetization Report. Josh delves into some of the key findings of the report, unpacking challenges in user acquisition, ad monetization, and product strategies, while highlighting trends like hybrid monetization, personalizati...

In this episode, Hanin Fakhriddin explores the art of mobile game marketing, sharing insights on user acquisition, app store optimization, and audience engagement. Drawing from her experience at Ubisoft Barcelona and consulting for F2P games, she highlights emerging industry trends and actionable strategies. As a Gamesforum Barcelona 2025 speaker, Hanin also previews key takeaways on marketabil...

In this episode, we dive into the creative and strategic balancing act behind Mech Arena, the fast-paced, free-to-play sensation. How does the team keep their bold vision intact while introducing features like in-game purchases and battle passes? What happens when player feedback clashes with the original creative direction? We explore the delicate dance of prioritizing updates that keep long-t...

In this episode, Gamelight co-founder Günay Azer shares the inspiring journey behind launching the company and the bold vision that shaped its success. Günay dives into key milestones, the rise of rewarded ads in mobile gaming, and how Gamelight has stayed ahead of industry trends. She reveals clever, budget-friendly UA strategies for indie developers and breaks down how regional differences sh...

In this episode, Marca Wosoba, COO of ZBD, takes us on a journey through her path to leadership at the forefront of gaming and cryptocurrency integration. Marca shares her unique perspective on what it takes to build engaging, enjoyable games that resonate with both hardcore and casual players, regardless of their familiarity with cryptocurrency. She delves into ZBD’s approach to game design, e...

In this episode, we sit down with Alex Yerukhimovich (https://il.linkedin.com/in/alexyer) from AppHarbr to explore the darker side of mobile gaming. Alex shares insights on the deceptive monetization tactics that frustrate players, the impact of intrusive ads on both studios and gamers, and how mediation networks can turn things around. We dive deep into how ad relevance can make or break playe...

In this must-listen episode, we talked to King's General Manager - Strategic Initiatives, Benjamin Pommeraud, who dives into the challenges and opportunities faced by game studios in today’s rapidly evolving mobile gaming landscape. From balancing the expectations of passionate fanbases while introducing fresh gameplay mechanics, to leveraging data without stifling creativity, Poummerad offers ...

In this episode, Geeklab CEO & Co-founder, Jesse Lempiäinen, shares his entrepreneurial journey from running a dance studio and a clothing company to founding a successful tech company. Jesse discusses how these diverse experiences shaped his leadership style and business philosophy. He delves into the market gap that inspired the creation of Geeklab and explains how the company positions itsel...

In this episode, Felix Braberg, co-host of Two and a Half Gamers, dives into the journey behind the podcast and how it has evolved since its launch. He explores key trends shaping the mobile gaming industry, including hybrid monetization models, and player retention strategies. Felix also shares his insights on boosting ad revenue in mobile games and navigating the industry's toughest challenges.

In this episode, Mariam sits down with CK Wang, the visionary behind Kooapps, a leading indie game developer with over 400 million downloads. From humble beginnings to global recognition, Wang shares his inspiring journey and the strategies that have fueled Kooapps' success. Discover how Wang and his team navigated the challenges of the early stages, maintained their indie spirit, and develope...

Ben Jeger, VP of EMEA at Moloco, is driving innovation in mobile advertising by harnessing the power of ML to tailor strategies across the diverse EMEA region. Consumer behaviors and preferences in mobile gaming vary widely across countries, with each market presenting unique cultural and economic nuances. Moloco adapts to these differences by leveraging ML to optimize ad placements and persona...

In an era dominated by visually-driven mobile games, Audiomob has carved a unique niche by harnessing the power of sound. In this special episode, Co-founder and CTO of Audiomob, Wilfrid Obeng (https://www.linkedin.com/in/wilfridobeng/) , talks about identifying a gap in the market. He delves into how the company pioneered a new approach to in-game advertising that prioritizes user experience w...

On this fascinating episode of Mobilize and Monetize, we're chatting with Nina Mackie, Co-founder and Chief Revenue Officer at WeGame2 (https://wegame2.com/) . Nina takes us through her exciting journey in the gaming world, the market gaps WeGame2 is bridging, and their unique take on creating inclusive, impactful ad campaigns. We dive into how they balance great ad experiences with user enjoym...

In this episode of Gamesforum's Mobilize and Monetize Podcast, Tina Shaw, Associate Creative Director at Activision, delves into the secrets of crafting memorable creative campaigns for mobile gaming, including for Activision's Call of Duty: Warzone Mobile. The discussion also covers winning strategies for user acquisition across regions like the US and Malaysia, unique challenges and opportun...

From Fortnite to Activision Blizzard, Candy Crush, and Uber, Livewire is no stranger to big brands. In this conversation, Livewire's CEO and industry visionary Indy Khabra talks all about advertising collaborations with major gaming firms, the technologies they've developed to integrate ads seamlessly, how they tailor their strategies for different markets, and success stories with brands like ...