YouTube has filled one of its most notable vacancies. Tubefilter has learned that Leo Olebe, who most recently served as the Managing Director of Global Games and Play Partnerships at Google Play, will become the head exec for YouTube Gaming.
A YouTube spokesperson confirmed that Olebe will take over as the Global Head of Gaming. That position was previously held by Ryan ‘Fwiz’ Wyatt, who left YouTube at the start of the year amidst an exodus of high-level operatives. Wyatt gave up his lofty position in order to take a job at blockchain development company Polygon.
Wyatt’s replacement boasts a 20-year career in the gaming biz. That includes a five-year stint at Facebook, where Olebe was the Senior Global Director of Games Partnerships. During his time at Facebook, the social giant signed gaming personalities like ‘King Richard‘ Nelson and launched a creator program for Black gamers.
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After Facebook, Olebe went to Google Play, where he continued to build connections across the gaming industry. He worked with “game developers and publishers around the world to help them build amazing experiences and find success on Google Play,” according to his official bio.
As the Global Head of YouTube Gaming, Olebe will keep his platform moving in the right direction. YouTube has made headlines by signing some of the internet’s top creators to exclusive streaming contracts. If Olebe’s work at Facebook is any indication, he will hunt for more high-profile partners who are willing to join the exodus from Twitch to YouTube.
Recently, YouTube has looked internally to fill many of its job openings. Longtime staffer Kai Chuk ascended to Head of Podcasts last year, and Google vet Kim Larson became YouTube’s Head of Creators a few months ago. By hiring Olebe, YouTube has tapped its parent company for another capable exec.
Olebe will report to Tara Walpert-Levy, YouTube’s VP of Americas. He will officially begin his new role later this year.
