As co-founder and chief operating officer of The Sandbox, Sebastien Borget has helped amplify the role of virtual worlds in the metaverse. In 2022, the platform—owned by Animoca Brands—focused on demonstrating its unique offerings, such as complex digital identity and ownable virtual land. This strategy quickly drew the attention of traditional marketers such as Gucci, HSBC and Time.
Sebastien Borget is wooing brands and agencies to The Sandbox
Bridging brands into the metaverse is one of Borget’s core priorities, which explains his role in launching the Partners Program. This initiative has not only increased to 22 the number of brands inside The Sandbox but has helped build relationships with developers and creative agencies.
“The more we do training on what The Sandbox is,” Borget said, “the more people that can bring projects into the metaverse.”
The Sandbox currently operates through temporary alpha tests called Seasons, but by the third quarter of this year, the platform plans to evolve into an always-open world. This means more freedom to build and more experiences for all to play.
What advice would you give to teens about using social media today?
To remain vigilant about who they interact with online, to not take the content posted on social media at face value—do your own research!—and most importantly, to build self-confidence offline. Social media has led many of us to depression due to the judgment and perception we have of others and ourselves through the content we post. The metaverse can be a place for more acceptance, inclusivity and diversity, as you can choose your identity in a very creative way, thanks to avatars.
How is new technology changing the way you work?
My mindset is to be an early adopter—to test things out as early as possible. That way I can understand and work with new technologies. For instance, mobile transformed everything: the way we work and how we interact with each other. The metaverse is similar, although still early days. It will shape the future of our social interactions, which is also influencing my work with The Sandbox and how it will impact not only my career but millions of people’s lives.
What’s your favorite blog, TikTok account, podcast or any must-follows in your media diet?
I like reading crypto-related news on Forkast, as well as CoinDesk and Cointelegraph.