Gamer management firm Loaded adds Chris “Chopper” Hopper as COO (Exclusive)

Loaded has a new C-level executive on its team. The talent management firm known for its work with streaming stars has hired Chris “Chopper” Hopper, who will serve as the company’s Chief Operating Officer.

As COO, Hopper will support Loaded as it grows beyond its core talent management business. He will work closely with the company’s other top execs, include CEO Josh Swartz. In a statement, Swartz explained that Hopper “will focus on improving our internal processes as we prepare our company for acquisitive growth, expanding our value proposition to brands and publishers, and continuing to deepen our service level in our core business of top-tier talent management.”

Hopper’s longest stint in the gaming industry came at Riot Games. He spent seven years at the League of Legends developer, eventually becoming its Head of Esports in North America. Hopper then left Riot to join a creator-led company called Pipeline, which was founded by former LoL pro Snoopeh and streamer StoneMountain64.

At Loaded, Hopper will have the chance to work alongside partners who toe the line between content creation and entrepreneurship. Some of the creators on the Loaded talent roster, such as CouRage, have taken leadership positions

at prominent gaming and entertainment companies. Others, like QTCinderella, have produced live events that have attracted huge viewership and big-name sponsors.

“I’ve had an eye on Loaded for several years, and have consistently been impressed with the ambitious, and often ground-breaking work they’ve done in providing services and solutions to the creator ecosystem and broader gaming industry,” Hopper said in a statement. “I’m excited to bring my experience from working at one of the biggest publishers in gaming as well as a startup focused on micro-creators to bolster a strong core business and optimize for the growth Loaded Holdings has on the horizon.”

Loaded has helped creators like Myth and Ludwig secure exclusive streaming deals on YouTube Gaming. Its other 2022 happenings included the launch of a production and consulting wing called Open World.