The Improbable Story Behind The World's Biggest Crash Game
Welcome back to The Friday Fortune! It’s officially that time of the year when your inbox is flooded with “Q2 planning” emails while your brain is still in vacation mode. But don’t worry—we’ve got your weekly dose of marketing insights, inspiration, and just the right amount of distraction to keep things interesting. Think of it as productive procrastination (our favorite kind).
Each week, we bring you bold strategies, top CMO insights, and the kind of creative campaigns that make you say, “Why didn’t I think of that?” From industry shake-ups to next-level brand partnerships, we’ve got you covered.
Here’s what’s on deck this week:
📈 Marketer of the Week
If there’s anyone proving that great ideas know no borders, it’s David Natroshvili, founder of Spribe and the visionary behind the game-changing sensation, Aviator. In just a few years, he’s taken an idea from the streets of Georgia to the global stage, reshaping the online gaming industry along the way.
David’s journey wasn’t a typical one. Before Spribe, he was deeply embedded in economic policy, serving as Georgia’s First Deputy Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development. He spearheaded strategic initiatives and major privatization projects that played a role in modernizing the country’s economic landscape. But the pull of entrepreneurship was too strong to ignore. He wanted to build something from the ground up—something disruptive.
That ‘something’ turned into Aviator, a game that has skyrocketed in popularity since its 2018 launch. Inspired by existing mechanics but with a vastly improved user experience, it took off—literally. While crash-style games existed before, Spribe perfected the formula, improving its design and user engagement to make it an essential feature in online casinos. The numbers don’t lie: Aviator boasts 42 million monthly players, 350,000 bets per minute, and a jaw-dropping $14 billion wagered in just the last month. “People laugh at me and said ‘David you don’t understand, go back to work for the government, it’s not your business.’” said David. “But I believed in the game, so we started slowly. Now, the Aviator is a crash game industry.”
Spribe’s growth has been fueled by its strategic expansion into new markets. A major breakthrough came with securing a gaming license in New Jersey, allowing the company to enter the highly competitive U.S. market. The process was lengthy and complex, but David always knew that breaking into the U.S. was a necessary step for Spribe’s long-term success.
Marketing and partnerships have played a crucial role in Aviator’s rise. One of Spribe’s biggest wins was its collaboration with the UFC. The fast-paced, high-stakes nature of the sport mirrors the game’s mechanics, making it a natural fit. With expanded branding rights, Aviator is now featured prominently across all UFC events, increasing its visibility on a global scale.
David’s Takeaway
David’s leadership philosophy is simple: bet on yourself. For the next generation of entrepreneurs, his message is clear—ignore the doubters, seize opportunities, and when the right moment comes, take action.
To hear more about how David built a global gaming empire, listen to the full episode of CMO Weekly.
🥠 The Cookie Jar
Crack open a handful of the week’s best marketing links—because good fortune favors the curious.
That’s a wrap for this week’s Friday fortune.
If you enjoyed the read, pass it along to your favorite marketer who could use a little extra inspo in their inbox.
Until next time, may your marketing be memorable and your cookies always be fortunate!
— The OpenFortune team