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An executive production company that plays to win
We're passionate about play.
With skin in the game we give everything we do 100%.
With skin in the game we give everything we do 100%.
Who We Are
We make the impossible happen
From staging the impossible fight that broke viewership records to securing esports status as a sport, VADR has achieved significant milestones in the industry.
We are broadcast-first
From pay-per-view to developing esports for linear we understand the business models it takes to achieve success for stakeholders.
We set the pieces on the board
We're the team in black suits and t-shirts who move the pieces in place to ensure our brands and talent can play. We acquire, hire, licence and build the pillars for success.
Deal team
Our philosophy is pretty simple — squad up with talented people and collaborate
John McRae
Managing Director
Disrupting media and sport for 20+ years
Brenda Saveluc
General Consul
Commercial and Corporate M&A
Ken O’Shea
Governance
Keeper of the numbers
Our mates at Livewire group and Fenway Sports Management represent our brand integration opportunities.
Indy Khabra
Director
Livewire
Brad Manuel
Director
Livewire
About
VADR Media, established in 2004, is an Australia and UAE-based executive production venture firm specializing in new media, sports, and entertainment. As Merchants of Play, we develop and promote content across free-to-air, cable, pay-per-view, OTT, and develop platforms for the players and fans of today and tomorrow. Under the leadership of John McRae, VADR Media has played a pivotal role in transforming niche recreational activities into mainstream sports in Australia and New Zealand, working on the philosophy that live and local is King.
Key milestones
- Developed the Sixth-i Anti-cheat System in collaboration with the Australian Artificial Intelligence Institute (AAII) Utilizes advanced AI models to detect various forms of unfair play and the remote management of players
- Best Competitive Play Focused Game Publisher 2023 - Australia, issued by Gaming and Development Awards 2023
- Expanding into online chess with Checkmate Live in 2022, a next-gen platform featuring enhanced fair play measures, innovative game modes, and partnerships with the Asian Chess Federation and Arab Esports Federation.
- Conceiving and funding the establishment of the New Zealand Esports Federation (NZESF) in 2016 to address structural gaps in the industry, leading to esports being recognized as an official sport in New Zealand in 2020.
- Launching Let's Play Live (LPL) in 2015, which became Australasia's largest independent esports broadcaster and platform. LPL was acquired by ASX listed SKYCITY Entertainment.
- Establishing the first full-time esports broadcast studio in the region, capable of delivering 4K and HD broadcasts, and pioneering direct-to-TV linear broadcasts via fiber and point-to-point.
- Creating the world's first televised high school esports league (HSL) in 2015, which became the largest in the Southern Hemisphere.
- SKY ARENA: Diversified PPV offerings to include boxing, football, MMA, and music concerts. Expanded the PPV market beyond traditional sports content and promoted new fight sport formats
- Duco Events: Promoted record-breaking boxing events, including the 2009 "Woodstock Fight of the Century". Achieved unprecedented PPV buy rates and per capita records.
- Promoted events featuring world-renowned entrepreneurs speakers such as President Bill Clinton, Robert Kennedy Junior, Gordon Ramsay, Louis Vuitton and organised seminal trade summits focused on various countries including China, Australia, and the USA
Fair Play Innovation Lab
In line with our commitment to integrity and innovation in gaming, VADR Media has established the Fair Play Innovation Lab in collaboration with the Australian Artificial Intelligence Institute (AAII) and Checkmate Live. This groundbreaking initiative represents our dedication to ensuring fair play in online chess and beyond.
Key aspects of the Fair Play Innovation Lab include:
- Collaboration with AAII: Leveraging cutting-edge AI research from the University of Technology Sydney to tackle the complex issue of cheating in online chess.
- SzuperChess Integration: Incorporating the AI and computer vision-based anti-cheating technology acquired by VADR Media 2023 to monitor match integrity.
- Advanced Anti-Cheat Systems: Developing sophisticated tools for proactive detection and prevention of cheating.
- Data-Driven Approach: Analyzing vast amounts of gameplay data to identify cheating patterns and predict unfair play.
- Innovative Coaching Solutions: Developing AI-powered tools to help players improve their skills, set to launch in early 2025.
- Cutting-Edge Technology: Employing the latest in AI, machine learning, and computer vision, powered by cloud computing for real-time processing.
- Continuous R&D: Ongoing research and development to refine anti-cheat algorithms and explore new features.
The Fair Play Innovation Lab demonstrates VADR Media's commitment to creating a secure, equitable, and enjoyable environment for online gaming. By pushing the boundaries of anti-cheat technology and developing innovative coaching tools, we're seeking to assist players to be the best they can be and be able to play fair.
Innovation
At VADR Media, innovation has been our driving force since our inception in 2004. We have consistently pushed the boundaries of technology and creativity to enhance the experience of our audience and new media formats.
Our journey of innovation spans from early digital formats to cutting-edge AI, Blockchain, Cloud and XR.
Pioneering Broadcast Formats
At VADR Media, innovation has been our driving force since our inception in 2004. We have consistently pushed the boundaries of technology and creativity to enhance the experience of our audience and new media formats.
Our journey of innovation spans from early digital formats to cutting-edge AI, Blockchain, Cloud and XR solutions.
- Early adoption of linking CD-ROMs linked to online documentation, reformatting redundant content into a second life (Lol, it was innovative then)
- Trailblazing in pay-per-view setting new standards for content delivery and monetisation
- Established the first full-time esports broadcast studio in the region, capable of delivering 4K and HD broadcasts in-studio and remote. Pioneered direct-to-TV linear broadcasts via fiber and point-to-point leveraging NDI
- New linear and online broadcast tournament formats to expand audience engagement, reach and rights management
Remote Cloud Production
Developed during the pandemic to address travel and mobility restrictions. An early and successful solution prior to the technology becoming ubiquitous to deal with the headache of the day.
- Addresses the central point of failure in traditional production setups with lock downs and ever present threat
- Enabled remote collaboration of staff, talent, and players across different locations across eight countries
- Supports multiple protocols for linear and online delivery (RTMP, SRT, FTL, HLS, MPEG-TS, RTSP, WebRTC, Zixi)
- Offers flexible integration of unlimited video sources
- Remote players cams for the full production delivered and
- Cloud switching to produce a Linear stand event
Fair play lab
In line with our commitment to integrity and innovation in gaming, VADR Media has established the Fair Play Innovation Lab in collaboration with the Australian Artificial Intelligence Institute (AAII) and Checkmate Live. This groundbreaking initiative represents our dedication to ensuring fair play in online chess and beyond.
Key aspects of the Fair Play Innovation Lab include:
- Collaboration with AAII: Leveraging cutting-edge AI research from the University of Technology Sydney to tackle the complex issue of cheating in online chess.
- SzuperChess Integration: Incorporating the AI and computer vision-based anti-cheating technology acquired by VADR Media 2023 to monitor match integrity.
- Advanced Anti-Cheat Systems: Developing sophisticated tools for proactive detection and prevention of cheating.
- Data-Driven Approach: Analyzing vast amounts of gameplay data to identify cheating patterns and predict unfair play.
- Innovative Coaching Solutions: Developing AI-powered tools to help players improve their skills, set to launch in early 2025.
- Cutting-Edge Technology: Employing the latest in AI, machine learning, and computer vision, powered by cloud computing for real-time processing.
- Continuous R&D: Ongoing research and development to refine anti-cheat algorithms and explore new features.
The Fair Play Innovation Lab demonstrates VADR Media's commitment to creating a secure, equitable, and enjoyable environment for online gaming. By pushing the boundaries of anti-cheat technology and developing innovative coaching tools, we're seeking to assist players to be the best they can be and be able to play fair.
Executive production
As an Executive Producer we oversees the production of an event, broadcast, game, or other major media product, either in a behind-the-scenes or hands-on capacity. An Executive Producer raises the finance, ensures that a project stays on schedule and within budget and manages team members brought on to complete that project, and the final word of approval on the finished product. Executive Producers act as the liaison between the project’s financiers and the team who ultimately run the day-to-day.
Executive Production Stages
- Pre-production
- Production
- In-Market
- Growth
- Maturity
This approach facilitates agility, speed to market and facilitates the placement of key executives when the venture or project team is more established or an exit is triggered. VADR retains exclusive executive production rights to deliver services to projects it initiates.
We work with broadcasters, leagues, media owners and publishers.
We are an executive production team with four core competencies:
- Venture and product development
- Producing linear and online broadcasts
- Delivering large scale events and programmes
- League and event management
Key advantages of partnering with VADR :
- Experienced executive team
- Access to our advisory network
- Experienced broadcasting, events and promotion team
- Commercial solution focused approach
- Close links with sport and esports clubs
- International network of studios and crew roster
- International esports governance experience
- Proprietary esports integrity technology
John McRae
John McRae, Managing Director and Founder of VADR Media, has been promoting events and brings over 25 years of experience in the events and broadcasting industry. Born in and earning his stripes in New Zealand, he relocated to Australia and the UAE in 2012
John's passion for technology started at a young age, with an aptitude for programming before high school. While his hands-on coding skills may have waned over time, his keen interest in emerging tech has remained constant. This enduring fascination has driven VADR Media's commitment to innovation, resulting in several leveraging emerging tech or developing in-house solutions.
Peer Recognition
- Named 'Media Visionary of the Year' in 2018 by New Zealand Marketing Magazine
- Awarded 'TV Event of the Decade' in 2009
- Awarded the first life membership from the New Zealand Esports Federation in 2022 for his service to esports in New Zealand
- Honored with the inaugural esports test match and Commonwealth Games qualifiers between Australia and New Zealand named "The McRae Cup" in 2022 for his service to esports in both Australia and New Zealand, recognizing his role in founding the New Zealand Esports Federation and Oceania Esports Council and his contributions to the professionalisation of the industry.
Prior to his involvement in chess and esports, John was a founder and owner of pay-per-view companies Duco Events and SKY ARENA through VADR Media. His event portfolio included promoting major boxing events, concerts, and high-profile speakers.
Under John's leadership, VADR Media has transformed the niche and amateur into mainstream professional pursuits and media products, pioneered innovative broadcast technologies, and consistently pushed the boundaries of entertainment and competitive play.
Current Focus
- Checkmate Live, an online chess broadcast and tournament platform
- Creating solutions for fair play in online gaming and esports
John remains committed to fostering innovation and integrity in the evolving digital entertainment landscape, continuing to apply his lifelong passion for technology to address industry challenges. He considers himself fortunate to mix his passion for gaming with business, creating a unique synergy in his professional endeavors.
