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USC Games

How did an attorney turn into a wavemaker in the esports and gaming industry? USC alumnus Jimmy Baratta (’10) sits down with USC Games Editorial to share his journey and helpful tips for those who are looking to break into new spaces.

The Business of Esports Podcast

From the keyboard to the boardroom... special guest Jimmy Baratta discusses breaking into esports and leaving his job as an attorney to become an investor in XSET and college professor. Current topics are also covered including Riot wire-taps, PlayStation x Discord, Resident Evil Game Pass Exclusion, Sony Cross-Play Cash Cow, and more, with Paul Dawalibi and William Collis.

Esports Strategist Jimmy Baratta Joins XSET Gaming

Baratta has long helped the esports community since his early career as an attorney. He especially contributed in the early days by helping found the North American Collegiate League (NACL), a non-profit supporting collegiate esports. Right now, he heads user acquisition and strategy initiatives for Wizard Labs, a software developing platform focusing on AI content creation. Jimmy Baratta is also an advisor for Esportz Network, including on its programming show, The Gamer Hour.

Yahoo Sports: Jimmy Baratta, Esports Entrepreneur

Today, esports shows no signs of slowing down. With the world economy likely to reopen within the next year, it is only fitting that the gaming industry's affordable recreation will continue to grow. Enter James Paul Baratta: a former civil litigation attorney from California. In the past few years, Baratta's esports deals have penetrated all levels of the industry. From advising Grammy-winning talent on in-game live events, to brokering deals with Forbes-listed orgs, Baratta has demonstrated an ability to maneuver through the complexities of business life and add tremendous value to his clients.

Alumnus Turns Passion for Gaming into Career

Jimmy Baratta, J.D., ‘06 is the Chief Gaming Officer of Holodeck Ventures. He is also an investor and strategist for competitive org and lifestyle brand XSET, as well as an instructor of esports at the University of California, Irvine.

Holodeck Media Taps Gaming Veteran Jimmy Baratta

Paul Dawalibi, President and CEO of Holodeck Media, announced today the appointment of Jimmy Baratta, J.D., as its new Chief Gaming Officer. Jimmy is based in Los Angeles and will be leading the creation and commercialization of new content focused on gaming, esports and the rapidly evolving world of the Metaverse, a future iteration of the internet, made up of persistent, shared virtual spaces linked into a perceived virtual universe.

Making a Mark in Esports

“I understood the value that the UCI name commanded, and the respect its esports program had already garnered for itself,” he said. “The course that I teach, Overview of Esports, prepares the newcomer and the existing business professional alike with the knowledge and tools to transition into the gaming industry. It lays the foundation, identifies networking opportunities and other resources and outlets to achieve success.”

Business Insider: Jimmy Baratta Esports Entrepreneur

Baratta transitioned into the video game industry in 2017 by creating his consultancy practice FT Empire LLC, through which he networked to find his first projects. As a gaming enthusiast, he educated non endemic clients on ecosystem nuances. These deals manifested in live stream events to promote charitable causes, in-game concerts with top-tier publishers, and tournament streaming agreements.

The California Herald: Jimmy Baratta Shows Us How to Make It

As for his future, Baratta continues to advise talent, teams, and developers through FT Empire. Most recently, he has aligned himself with the University of California Irvine, where he accepted a professorship to teach in their esports tract. As an Orange County native, he is excited for the opportunity to give back to his local community. Baratta hopes his post with UCI leads to more opportunities in education and mentorship. “It certainly fills me with purpose to provide resources and opportunities to the next generation of gamers. It’s something I hope to continue for years to come.”

Influencive: Esports Strategist Jimmy Baratta Feature

Portland News: James Baratta on Pursuing His Passion and Taking a Chance

In life, what may seem like the ultimate destination can often turn out to be just one of the many temporary stops along the way. As a matter of fact, James Paul Baratta knows more than anyone else that some journeys end so that even greater ones can begin. Indeed, there is no shortcut to success. And according to James, the least that one can do is enjoy the ride and learn from it.

The American Reporter: It’s Never Too Late To Fulfill Your Dreams

Due to the rise in popularity with the game Fortnite, Jimmy states that ICE shifted focus in 2018 and 2019, almost exclusively on Fortnite, by Epic Games. Today, ICEBRKRSCLAN features content creators and competitors in a variety of games ranging from Call of Duty, Fortnite, Rainbow 6 Seige, Counter Strike Global Offensive, Apex Legends, Valorant, NBA2k, and more. The clan offers its members and creators to play any and all games of interest, and across all platforms including PC, Xbox, PlayStation, and Mobile.

London Daily Post: How James Paul Baratta Succeeds in Pursuit of Esports

For people who grew up with the advancement of technology, escapism comes in many forms. Social media, streaming services, accessibility, and video games have helped many people get away from the difficulties that life throws at them. In particular, video games have made a huge impact on the lives of millions of people like James Paul Baratta.

Medium: Jimmy Baratta on Changing Careers

Pursuing one’s passion is easier said than done. There can be numerous reasons that make it challenging to change careers or start in a new field. Jimmy Baratta was a successful lawyer who decided to follow his dreams and work in an area he has been passionate about since he was a child — gaming.

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