Vice alum Matt Elek joins Arcade as CEO alongside co-founder Schwarzenberger

Matt Elek (left) and Jordan Schwarzenberger

Arcade

The Sidemen’s management company Arcade has appointed Matt Elek as its new CEO, working alongside company co-founder Jordan Schwarzenberger.

Elek has been working with UK-based creator-first management group Arcade as a board director for the last nine months, representing Arcade’s minority investor Lumina Media.

Lumina, Thomas Benski’s talent- and IP-led media group and venture capital firm, made a seven-figure investment in Arcade last September.

Current CEO and co-founder Schwarzenberger will remain as co-founder, working closely alongside Elek to realise the company’s long-term vision, the company said today.

Schwarzenberger will continue to drive business strategy, focused on client development and growth, in partnership with fellow co-founder Sam Uwins. As CEO, Elek will take charge of all business operations and the day-to-day management of Arcade.

Schwarzenberger said: “As Sam and I looked at the immense growth trajectory of the business we knew that we needed someone with elite experience to help guide us through. As a founder, I believe in replacing yourself with the best talent when the time is right, and we are deeply grateful that Matt has agreed to join us as CEO. We’re looking forward to working closely with him to make our ambitious vision for Arcade a reality.”

Elek adds: “After spending the last nine months on Arcade’s board, I’m in the privileged position of being deeply embedded in the company already, which continues to go from strength to strength as a unique, rapidly expanding player in creator-led media.”

Elek has more than 20 years’ experience scaling companies in the media and creative industries. He helped build Vice’s EMEA business starting in 2002 and led the company as EMEA CEO from 2009 to 2019. He was most recently chief commercial officer at Lumina.