YaLLa Esports, the esports media company and tournament organizer in the MENA region, has promoted Teemu Koski to Chief Growth Officer (CGO).
Koski, formerly YaLLa’s Vice President of Media Business, is introduced as having played an instrumental role in delivering the highly successful first season of the YaLLa Compass Circuit, the organization’s flagship esports initiative.
Koski brings over a decade of experience as a business leader in esports, having founded and scaled Elisa Esports, Finland’s first international esports business under Elisa Corporation, part of one of the biggest telecoms in the Nordics. He was instrumental in co-creating major esports events, such as the Arctic Invitational and Elisa Masters, and securing a strategic partnership with ESL to integrate Elisa Masters into the ESL Global Circuit. His work in esports has led to collaborations with top-tier organizations like ESL, PGL, Starladder, and BLAST, as well as global brands including ASUS, Samsung, Red Bull, Monster, and Nokia.
In addition to his work with top-tier esports organizations, Koski has a proven track record of collaborating with governmental entities across Europe and MENA to develop gaming and esports strategies that help cities grow their GDP and achieve long-term growth goals. His expertise in securing multi-million-dollar deals, building long-term partnerships, and driving fan engagement has surely been key to his success across Europe and MENA.
With YaLLa Esports’ flagship initiative launched in 2023, the YaLLa Compass Circuit-- an elite esports competition originating from the Middle East, the organization has earned global recognition, positioning itself as a driving force in the region’s rapidly growing esports scene.
Under his leadership, the first season of YaLLa Compass amassed 50 million views, five million watch hours, and 30 global broadcasts in 15 languages, setting a new standard in MENA esports.
His promotion to CGO will empower him to scale the Compass Circuit, into new markets, strengthen partnerships, and continue aligning YaLLa’s strategies with market trends.
Klaus Kajetski, CEO of YaLLa Esports, commented: “Teemu has been a critical part of our success with YaLLa Compass, proving his ability to deliver an esports event that transcends borders and creates meaningful partnerships. This promotion is a natural next step as we look to double down on our growth plans, including our continued investment of USD 5 million into the esports ecosystem in 2025, as well as our expansion into new territories.”
Teemu Koski also shared his excitement about the new role: “Leading the first season of YaLLa Compass has been an incredibly rewarding experience, and I’m excited to continue this journey in my new role as CGO. The MENA region is brimming with potential, and YaLLa Esports has already laid the groundwork for tremendous growth. I’m eager to scale the Circuit even further, explore new opportunities for innovation, and help solidify YaLLa’s position as a regional leader in esports.”
Founded with the mission of nurturing esports talent and creating world-class competitive opportunities in the region, YaLLa Esports has quickly become a reference in gaming. With Teemu Koski's promotion, YaLLa Esports aims to accelerate its global growth and enhance its offerings to fans, players, and partners alike.
