Josh Gier of Coliseum: From Bedroom Gamer to Web3 Gaming CEO

In this episode of CMO Weekly, we sit down with Josh Gier, Chief Marketing Officer at Coliseum, a groundbreaking force in the Web3 gaming industry. Josh shares his remarkable journey from a lifelong passion for gaming to becoming a leader in growth marketing and brand strategy at the intersection of gaming and decentralized technology. With a history of scaling multi-million user communities and spearheading "community-as-a-service" models, Josh brings a unique perspective on how to drive engagement and build vibrant digital ecosystems.

Josh recounts his early exposure to Web3, tracing his curiosity back to Bitcoin’s inception and the Ethereum boom of 2015, which fueled his belief in the democratization of finance and technology. This episode delves into the core of Coliseum’s mission—a gaming ecosystem that serves millions of gamers, both Web2 and Web3, while championing fair play by actively eliminating bots and cheaters. Josh highlights how Coliseum’s community-first approach fosters trust, fun, and authentic engagement, making it more than just a platform—it’s a movement against inauthentic gameplay.

Listeners will gain insights into the challenges of onboarding gamers into new paradigms like Web3, Coliseum’s strategic use of tournaments and eSports events to drive adoption, and how they sidestep complex tech jargon to focus on what gamers love most: great games and a safe, enjoyable experience. Josh also reveals Coliseum’s $2 million fund dedicated to supporting emerging Web3 games, emphasizing the platform’s commitment to advancing the gaming industry as a whole.

In a candid rapid-fire Q&A, Josh opens up about his favorite games, his admiration for figures like Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos, and his humorous take on the worst advice he’s ever given and received—both involving crypto. Whether you're a marketer, gamer, or tech enthusiast, this episode offers an engaging look into the future of gaming, the power of community, and the human side of Web3 innovation.