Friends - Cyril Delon

Marketing Director at GOALS. Paris

Mark met Cyril during lockdown through an introduction from Drieke and the

Kouch Culture

team. We collaborated on a few projects, and it quickly became clear he has a true passion for connecting communities, celebrating innovation, and elevating the gaming industry, shining a light on the creators, players, and the success behind it all.

How would you describe yourself, and what drives you?
I’m a former IT Engineer who made a leap into marketing, specializing in the fun stuff (sports, music, gaming) with a big focus on digital, tech, and all things innovative.

What pivotal moments have shaped your journey so far?
After spending 9 years in China, with the last 4 running a music events agency, my big turning point was moving back to Paris to get a Master’s in Marketing at 31. Going back to school at that age felt like hitting the reset button, and it led me to restart my career as an intern at SPORTFIVE, a global sports marketing agency. From there, everything started to click, bringing together my background and passions.

What is your relationship with Mark & Russell?

I crossed paths with Mark during the COVID days through Kouch Kulture, a small community of pros from different fields and corners of the world, meeting up every Friday to chat about the pandemic's effect on human connections.

What has come out of any relationship and collaboration?
When I joined Team Vitality, a French esports team, Mark and Russell were top of my list to bring in. We wanted to make the team feel more like a cultural brand, and they helped us brainstorm ideas on everything from merch drops to unique activations.

What does being unorthodox mean to you in your work?
Thinking outside the box and bending the rules when it makes sense for the consumer.

What beliefs have guided you through tough decisions?
Always prioritize the consumer, fan, or player. Put yourself in their shoes.

What challenge in your field of work is often overlooked?
Having worked in tech-driven companies, it's often underestimated how crucial it is to understand technical products or the algorithmic aspect of social platforms.

How do you balance creativity with structure / order with chaos?My engineering side helps here! I always say marketing is a good blend of tech skills and creativity. These days, you need both to thrive.

What cultural shifts are you noticing in your field of work?One major shift is the way younger generations look up to content creators rather than traditional celebs. They see them as more relatable, almost like friends.

If you could master any skill instantly, what would it be?
Hands down, video editing or 3D production.

What’s one experience everyone should have at least once?
Start your career in an agency. Work until 4 AM to pitch a client at 9 AM the next day. It’s the best crash course you’ll ever get.

What has inspired you lately? (book, podcast, music, news, articles, … ).

Kaizen from Inoxtag
The first Youtuber to climb Mount Everest. It’s hands down the best YouTube video (or film) I’ve ever seen. An inspiring story with breathtaking visuals and genuine human connections.

GTA 6 trailer: real life meme integration
They nailed it with meme integration, connecting virtual worlds with real-life culture. That’s the future.

The Paris Olympics and opening ceremony
Not a unique choice, but being from Paris, the sense of unity during those weeks was amazing. It’s a reminder that sports can truly bring people together, even if it’s just for a moment.

What advice would you give to young people starting out in their career?
Go for an industry that you’re passionate about, rather than a specific job title. You can always switch gears later on.

How can people connect with you, get involved or take part in any of the projects you’ve highlighted above?
Just look me up on LinkedIn!

Bonus Question from Otis
As crazy as it might sound, the one item I would bring to a desert island would be a solar-powered gaming PC so I could keep improving my rank and also stay in touch with the real world. Add my wife and son and that's all I need to start a fresh new life!

And my question for the next guest
If you had the chance to press a reset button and start over - armed with knowledge of how the world unfolds - would you change anything about your journey, or would you follow the same path?

Find Cyril here:
LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/cyrildelon/