CIS Connect

CIS Connect is a specialized full-service agency that works primarily with video game and IT companies. Founded in 2005, the agency has built a strong reputation for helping technology and gaming brands navigate the complex media and consumer landscapes of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). They serve a range of clients from established game developers and publishers to emerging tech startups looking to gain a foothold in markets like Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Georgia, Azerbaijan, and Uzbekistan. The agency’s core focus is on connecting digital and interactive entertainment brands with engaged audiences across the region.

How CIS Connect Helps Gaming and Tech Brands

CIS Connect provides a full suite of communications and marketing services tailored to the unique demands of the video game and IT sectors. The agency understands that these industries require a mix of traditional public relations, digital engagement, and experiential marketing to stand out. Their approach combines strategic media relations with creative campaigns that resonate with the passionate, often niche communities around games and technology products. By leveraging their deep knowledge of local media, influencers, and consumer behavior across the CIS, CIS Connect helps clients build brand awareness, drive user acquisition, and manage reputation in a highly competitive space.

Services and Specialties

The agency offers a comprehensive range of services designed to cover the full marketing and communications lifecycle for its clients. While their core offerings include public relations and advertising, they also emphasize creative design, social media marketing, and unconventional promotional tactics. A notable strength is their ability to execute large-scale, integrated campaigns that blend digital and offline elements. Their service portfolio typically includes:

• Public relations and media relations across CIS markets
• Advertising and paid media campaigns
• Creative design and branding
• Social media marketing and community management
• Guerrilla marketing and experiential activations
• Event management and festival production
• Influencer and content creator partnerships

A standout capability of CIS Connect is its ownership of Game Show, the largest international festival in the CIS dedicated to gaming and e-sports. This event combines an e-sports championship with an entertainment show, and it is held in three key regions: Russia, Belarus, and Kazakhstan. For clients, this offers a unique platform for brand integration, product launches, and direct engagement with thousands of passionate gamers. This festival not only demonstrates the agency’s deep roots in the gaming community but also provides a powerful, tangible asset for client campaigns.

Location and Regional Reach

While CIS Connect’s current headquarters are in Moscow, Russia, the agency maintains a significant operational presence in Minsk, Belarus, as well as an additional regional office in Almaty, Kazakhstan. The Minsk office plays a crucial role in serving clients across the Belarusian market and coordinating regional activities. Being based in Minsk allows the agency to tap into the country’s strong IT and game development talent pool, as well as its strategic position within the CIS. The agency’s multi-city structure—with key hubs in Moscow, Minsk, and Almaty—enables it to manage campaigns that span the vast and diverse CIS region, ensuring consistent messaging and local relevance in each market.

CIS Connect is a strong fit for video game developers, publishers, and IT companies that want to establish or grow their presence across the CIS region. Its combination of specialized industry knowledge, full-service capabilities, and a proven track record with large-scale events like Game Show makes it particularly well-suited for brands that need more than just standard PR. Businesses looking for an agency that can handle everything from media relations to creative social campaigns and live experiential marketing will find a capable partner in CIS Connect. The agency is also an excellent choice for international companies entering the CIS market for the first time, as its local expertise across Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and other key markets can help navigate cultural nuances and regulatory environments effectively.