Gaming - my path to technology and digital marketing
I was one of those kids who spent many hours in the computer room or at home with the video console. I also found a lot of like-minded people to have fun with or, more often, to compete with, but I always found something more in video games - for me they were always a portal to the future. I loved the social aspect of this type of entertainment, even when it was online, because I could see people with common interests coming together and communicating, just like in a global social network.
It's no coincidence that once I had discovered my passion for football, I started playing mostly football games. On a nice spring day, I heard on the radio about a tournament for my favorite game, Pro Evolution Soccer. That's when my path in technology started. A year later I was the national champion in the discipline and represented Bulgaria at the ESWC World Finals in Paris. And shortly after that, we were already organizing dozens of tournaments around the country and igniting the passion of many children with the magic of a new phenomenon - e-sports. It taught us strategic thinking and quick reflexes, but most of all it prepared us for the world of technology.
A career as a presenter and a passion for media
A little later in my youth, I discovered another passion, thanks to gaming - that of media. Together with colleagues, we created the first web portal for fans of the game Pro Evolution Soccer, where we practiced our editing and skills and some of the basic rules of online communication. Not long after, we tried another project - an online media bringing together a range of youth interests such as sports, music and film. We had a team of 10 people who volunteered to create and dreamed that one day this media would become one of the biggest in Bulgaria.
To date, gaming continues to bring me a lot of emotions and involve me in interesting projects. Such are the gaming events we bring joy to thousands of people in the country and in which I participate as a presenter. Some of them have even seen the light of day on TV. Others, in which I have had the honour to participate in one form or another, have filled the halls of the NPC. If you still think gaming is a waste of time, hopefully I've dissuaded you at least a little. Worldwide, gaming events fill stadiums and the largest prize pool from a tournament totals over $30 million.
A look at digital marketing
The passion for digital marketing seemed to come quite naturally thanks to my knowledge of online communication and experience with technology. I felt privileged to understand how social media works and the way it permeates our daily lives, even when some colleagues still didn't respect its importance. Today, it's unthinkable to create a business without paying serious attention to your online reputation, and that's why I'm actively trying to spread my knowledge through trainings, articles and here on our new blog.
In my career I have worked in agencies, departments of Bulgarian businesses, and currently I am part of the digital team of a global IT company that is a leader in digital services. I am included in the talent program of a Forbes Digital 100 company. I studied Public Relations at Sofia University and Digital Marketing at Sheffield University, and further specialised at Cambridge University. I believe in lifelong learning and keep up to date with all the latest from the digital marketing world.
Pass knowledge on
Since 2016, I have participated as a teacher in the largest student entrepreneurship campus in the world - RANEPA International. During the event, I prepare groups of students through various trainings and workshops on presentation skills, as well as in the development of a final business project, which they present to an expert jury. In 2018 and 2019, my teams won the Grand Jury Award.
Since 2019 I teach in Bulgaria and abroadand I have also performed in countries like India, Germany, Cyprus and England. I have also developed online digital marketing courses which have been taken by over 10000 students. Among the most interesting projects I have been involved in is my work on the first seminar in Europe featuring American entrepreneur and millionaire Grant Cardone.
Where you can also see me
If you're a football fan, chances are you'll catch up on the small screen from the studios of the most popular leagues - Spanish, Italian or English. I support my favourite teams, but I also try to give value to viewers through my commentary and analysis, which is often a reference to my knowledge of the world of virtual football. It's my way of expressing my love for the sport.
2023 - realization of the book "Compass for Digital Marketing"
After my conversations with hundreds of students and businesses, I now knew that we needed a book to bring together the most important issues in marketing. While there were already enough courses on the market, it turned out that we often overlook important topics like calculating a marketing budget, choosing a marketing agency, or creating content through optimized efforts, etc., so the idea for the book "Digital Marketing Compass"to act as a guide for new businesses. Besides me, it also features a top American marketer who wrote the foreword and 6 real businesses from Bulgaria who shared their specific know-how for marketing success.
Mission: To help people break their barriers and live their digital brand.