Productivity streamer by day and FPS gamer by night, anniepoo keeps a packed schedule. Yet, this BroadcastHER Academy winner also finds time to flex her additional interests as an esports broadcast producer, VALORANT observer, marketing professional, and event planner!

What is your dream in esports and gaming?

My dream is to uplift marginalized genders in esports and gaming by creating, maintaining, and promoting safe spaces. I hope to achieve this by working in esports marketing and event operations!

What does being the BroadcastHER Academy winner, which includes a $1,000 grant and all-expense-paid visit to the HyperX Esports Arena to shadow, mean to you and how will it help you reach your goals?

Being able to visit the HyperX Esports Arena to shadow is so exciting for me! I began my journey in esports during the COVID-19 pandemic and most of my experience is remote. I’m excited to experience an in-person event and combine my newfound knowledge with previous experience to elevate the quality of my work.

Women are underrepresented in gaming, broadcasting, and esports. What can we do to change this?

Opening doors into safe spaces and opportunities for networking, mentorship, and work is a great way to increase representation for marginalized genders in gaming, broadcasting, and e-sports. In addition to opening doors and providing guidance, I think it is equally important to actively create spaces for female and non-binary individuals to thrive. This could be approached in many ways, including: increasing awareness and education about the unique challenges non-men face in the gaming industry; competitive opportunities for marginalized genders in esports; and cultivating female-led organizations.

What are you most inspired by when it comes to creating encouraging content for young women in gaming, broadcasting, and esports?

Knowing that I could be making a positive impact on someone’s day gives me purpose. Some of the tournaments and broadcasts that I work on are events that players and viewers look forward to and get excited about for days, sometimes weeks, in advance! It’s even more meaningful and exciting for me when it’s an event focused on female and non-binary individuals.

What are some of the challenges you have faced along the way?

My biggest challenge has been in finding a balance between passion and practicality. While I would love to drop everything and pursue my passion, practicality holds a lot of weight in my life. In order to pursue my dream of working in esports and gaming full-time, I need to make choices that will ultimately lead to sustainable work.

I put a lot of effort and hours into esports broadcasting because it’s work that I’m passionate about. However, I still work a full-time job outside of gaming and esports because I have not yet reached a point where I can turn my passion into sustainable work.

Sometimes I have to say no to esports opportunities because the broadcast hours conflict with my day job or evening classes. (Yes! I’m a student in addition to working full time. I will be done with my program in June 2022.) I hope to one day overcome this challenge of passion versus practicality by finding or creating an opportunity that blends my professional experience with my passion for esports.

What advice do you have for women who want to start broadcasting?

Always shoot your shot! The worst that can happen is a rejection and that’s fine! Sometimes rejection will hurt, so allow yourself time to be sad if you need to. But don’t give up and be persistent.

How do you stay motivated and focused on your goals?

The biggest motivator for me has always been my friends and the communities that I’m a part of. Having a group of peers you can celebrate success with and also be vulnerable with is so important. I wouldn’t be able to keep going if it weren’t for all the friends I’ve made in my journey so far.