LOS
ANGELES, May 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, FaZe
Clan Inc., the lifestyle and media platform rooted in gaming and
youth culture, announced the appointment of Zach Katz as President and Chief Operating
Officer, effective immediately. Katz, who has over 20 years of
experience in the music content and talent business, will oversee
FaZe Clan's content, talent, merchandise, consumer goods,
sponsorships and esports businesses. Katz will report to FaZe Clan
CEO Lee Trink.
"FaZe Clan sits at the intersection of gaming, creator economy
and culture, all of which we believe is leading the growth of
Web3," says Lee Trink, CEO of FaZe Clan. "We are squarely focused
on building the future and by adding Zach to our team, we are
gaining a proven leader who has extensive experience in working
with innovative, cultural brands. Through my long standing
relationship with Zach, I trust that he will help catapult our
company into the next phase of growth, and bring operational
excellence to FaZe as we become a public company."
As President and COO, Katz will work closely with the senior
leadership team to grow the brand, prioritizing global expansion
and developing new revenue-driving, innovative verticals. In his
operations role, Katz will be focused on building internal systems
that maximize efficiency, and foster a company environment that
meets the demands and goals of the growing brand.
"Building on FaZe Clan's leadership in youth culture, our goal
is to further push the boundaries of gaming to drive innovation in
entertainment," says Katz. "I can't imagine a more exciting moment
to join FaZe Clan's passionate team and community."
Katz began his career as a music attorney, then moved into music
management, representing prominent artists, producers and
songwriters. From there, he co-founded and served as CEO of the
record label and music publishing company Beluga Heights in
partnership with Sony Music, and later, Warner Brothers Records.
Katz also served as Executive Vice President, Chief Creative
Officer, and then President of Records, Publishing and Operations
of artist-centric, global music company BMG and co-founded and
served as CEO of music-tech investment fund Raised In Space
Enterprises, which focuses on raising the value of music via
investments in forward-thinking founders and technology. He earned
a J.D. from Loyola School of Law in Los
Angeles and a B.A. from The University
of Southern California.
FaZe Clan announced in October
2021, its plans to merge with B. Riley Principal 150 Merger
Corp. (NASDAQ: BRPM) ("BRPM"), a special purpose acquisition
company, to become a publicly traded company. The transaction is
expected to close by July 2022.
ABOUT FAZE CLAN
FaZe Clan is a digital-native
lifestyle and media platform rooted in gaming and youth culture,
reimagining traditional entertainment for the next generation.
Founded in 2010 by a group of kids on the internet, FaZe Clan was
created for and by Gen Z and Millennials, and today operates across
multiple verticals with transformative content, tier-one brand
partnerships, a collective of notable talent, and fashion and
consumer products. Reaching over 500 million followers across
social platforms globally, FaZe Clan delivers a wide variety of
entertainment spanning video blogs, lifestyle and branded content,
gaming highlights and live streams of highly competitive gaming
tournaments. FaZe Clan's roster of more than 85 influential
personalities consists of engaging content creators, esports
professionals, world-class gamers and a mix of talent who go beyond
the world of gaming, including NFL star Kyler "FaZe K1" Murray,
Lebron "FaZe Bronny" James Jr., Lil Yachty aka "FaZe Boat" and
Snoop Dogg aka "FaZe Snoop." Its gaming division includes ten
competitive esports teams who have won over 30 world championships.
FaZe Clan recently announced plans to go public through a merger
with B. Riley Principal 150 Merger Corp. (NASDAQ: BRPM), a special
purpose acquisition company. Learn more at fazeclan.com/public. For
more information, visit www.fazeclan.com,
investor.fazeclan.com and follow FaZe Clan on Twitter,
https://www.instagram.com/fazeclan/?hl=en, YouTube, TikTok, and
Twitch.
ABOUT BRPM
BRPM is a special purpose acquisition company formed for the
purpose of effecting a merger, capital stock exchange, asset
acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or similar business
combination with one or more businesses. BRPM began trading on the
NASDAQ on February 19, 2021 following
its initial public offering. Its shares of Class A common stock,
units and warrants trade under the ticker symbols BRPM, BRPMU and
BRPMW, respectively. BRPM is sponsored by an affiliate of B. Riley
Financial, Inc. (Nasdaq: RILY).
Important Information about the Proposed Business Combination
and Where to Find It
In connection with the proposed
Business Combination, BRPM has filed a registration statement on
Form S-4 (the "Registration Statement") with the Securities and
Exchange Commission (the "SEC") which includes a preliminary proxy
statement/prospectus relating to the proposed Business Combination
(the "Proxy Statement/Prospectus"). After the Registration
Statement is declared effective by the SEC, BRPM will mail the
definitive Proxy Statement/Prospectus to holders of BRPM's shares
of common stock as of a record date to be established in connection
with BRPM's solicitation of proxies for the vote by BRPM
stockholders with respect to the proposed Business Combination and
other matters as described in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus. BRPM
stockholders and other interested persons are urged to read the
preliminary Proxy Statement/Prospectus and, when available, the
amendments thereto, the definitive Proxy Statement/Prospectus, and
documents incorporated by reference therein, as well as other
documents filed with the SEC in connection with the proposed
Business Combination, as these materials will contain important
information about BRPM, FaZe Clan and the proposed Business
Combination. Stockholders are able to obtain copies of the Proxy
Statement/Prospectus and other documents containing important
information about BRPM, FaZe Clan and the proposed Business
Combination filed with the SEC, without charge, once such documents
are available on the website maintained by the SEC at
http://www.sec.gov, or by directing a request to: B. Riley
Principal 150 Merger Corp, 299 Park Avenue, 21st Floor,
New York, New York 10171,
Attention: Daniel Shribman,
telephone: (212) 457-3300.
No Offer or Solicitation
This press release shall not
constitute a solicitation of a proxy, consent or authorization with
respect to any securities or in respect of the proposed Business
Combination. This press release shall also not constitute an offer
to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, or a
solicitation of any vote or approval, nor shall there be any sale
of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation
or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification
under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction.
Participants in the Solicitation
BRPM and FaZe Clan and their respective directors and executive
officers, under SEC rules, may be deemed to be participants in the
solicitation of proxies of BRPM's stockholders in connection with
the proposed Business Combination. Stockholders of BRPM may obtain
more detailed information regarding the names, affiliations and
interests of BRPM's and FaZe Clan's directors and executive
officers in BRPM's Form S-1 filed with the SEC relating to its
initial public offering, which was declared effective on
February 18, 2021 ("Form S-1") and in
the Proxy Statement/Prospectus. Information concerning the
interests of BRPM's participants in the solicitation, which may, in
some cases, be different than those of BRPM's stockholders
generally, are set forth in the Proxy
Statement/Prospectus.
Forward-Looking Statements
The information in this
press release includes "forward-looking statements" pursuant to the
"safe harbor" provisions of the United States Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements, other than
statements of present or historical fact included in this press
release, regarding the proposed Business Combination, the ability
of the parties to consummate the proposed Business Combination, the
benefits and timing of the proposed Business Combination, as well
as the combined company's strategy, future operations and financial
performance, estimated financial position, estimated revenues and
losses, projections of market opportunity and market share,
projected costs, prospects, plans and objectives of management are
forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements
generally are identified by the words "budget," "could,"
"forecast," "future," "might," "outlook," "plan," "possible,"
"potential," "predict," "project," "seem," "seek," "strive,"
"would," "should," "may," "believe," "intend," "expects," "will,"
"projected," "continue," "increase," and/or similar expressions
that concern BRPM's or FaZe Clan's strategy, plans or intentions,
but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is
not forward-looking. Such statements are made pursuant to the Safe
Harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act
of 1995 and are based on the management of BRPM's and FaZe Clan's
belief or interpretation of information currently available.
These forward-looking statements are based on various
assumptions, whether or not identified herein, and on the current
expectations of BRPM's and FaZe Clan's management and are not
predictions of actual performance. Because forward-looking
statements are predictions, projections and other statements about
future events that are based on current expectations and
assumptions, whether or not identified in this press release, they
are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in
circumstances that are difficult to predict. Many factors could
cause actual results and condition (financial or otherwise) to
differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking
statements, including but not limited to: (1) the occurrence of any
event, change or other circumstances that could give rise to the
termination of negotiations and any subsequent definitive
agreements with respect to the proposed Business Combination; (2)
the outcome of any legal proceedings or other disputes that may be
instituted against BRPM, FaZe Clan, the combined company or others;
(3) the inability to complete the proposed Business Combination due
to the failure to obtain approval of the stockholders of BRPM, to
satisfy the minimum cash condition following redemptions by BRPM's
public stockholders, to obtain certain governmental and regulatory
approvals or to satisfy other conditions to closing; (4) changes to
the proposed structure of the proposed Business Combination that
may be required or appropriate as a result of applicable laws or
regulations, including the risk that any regulatory approvals are
not obtained, are delayed or are subject to unanticipated
conditions that could adversely affect the combined company or the
expected benefits of the proposed Business Combination; (5) the
ability to meet stock exchange listing standards following the
consummation of the proposed Business Combination; (6) the risk
that the proposed Business Combination disrupts current plans and
operations of BRPM or FaZe Clan as a result of the announcement and
consummation of the proposed Business Combination; (7) the ability
to recognize the anticipated benefits of the proposed Business
Combination, which may be affected by, among other things,
competition, the ability of the combined company to grow and manage
growth profitably, maintain relationships with customers and
suppliers and retain its management, key employees and talents; (8)
costs related to the proposed Business Combination; (9) changes in
applicable laws or regulations, including changes in domestic and
foreign business, market, financial, political, and legal
conditions; (10) the possibility that BRPM, FaZe Clan or the
combined company may be adversely affected by other economic,
business, and/or competitive factors; (11) the impact of COVID 19
on BRPM's or FaZe Clan's business and/or the ability of the parties
to complete the proposed Business Combination; (12) the inability
to complete the PIPE investments in connection with the proposed
Business Combination; and (13) other risks and uncertainties set
forth in BRPM's Form S-1 and in subsequent filings with the SEC,
including the Proxy Statement/Prospectus relating to the proposed
Business Combination. These forward-looking statements are provided
for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to serve as,
and must not be relied on by any investor as, a guarantee, an
assurance, a prediction or a definitive statement of fact or
probability. Actual events and circumstances are difficult or
impossible to predict and will differ from assumptions. Many actual
events and circumstances are beyond the control of BRPM and FaZe
Clan. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are
made. While FaZe Clan and BRPM may elect to update these
forward-looking statements at some point in the future, FaZe Clan
and BRPM specifically disclaim any obligation to do so. These
forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as
representing FaZe Clan's and BRPM's assessments as of any date
subsequent to the date of this press release. Accordingly, undue
reliance should not be placed upon the forward-looking
statements.
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SOURCE FaZe Clan