Manny Anekal is a 15-year gaming and esports industry veteran, having worked for companies such as Microsoft Xbox, Electronic Arts, and Zynga. Anekal is the founder of TNL Media, a company that focuses on the business aspect of esports, and Versus, an esports consulting firm. He is well known in the industry, having spoken at events such as CES and SXSW, and is a former advisor on the Nielsen Esports Advisory Board. Anekal's opinions and insights have been covered by top-tier publications such as the Wall Street Journal and the New York Times. He has a background in marketing, ad operations, and forecasting, having previously worked for Microsoft, Time Warner, and Accenture. Anekal holds a high school diploma from Pine Crest and a BS from the University of Miami.