Team Vitality player William Merriman appeared in an advertising campaign in China together with his team.
A video of the advertisement spread across social media, where fans noticed Vitality players on a large screen in a Chinese city.
Esports is expanding into new markets
The appearance of Team Vitality in an advertising campaign demonstrates how Counter-Strike and esports in general are gaining global popularity.
The Chinese market has long been one of the largest in the world for gaming and esports, and the appearance of European teams in advertising highlights brands’ growing interest in international CS2 stars.
Mezii & Team Vitality were featured in an ad in China… 😳 pic.twitter.com/Rt8paKIHv1
— All About Counter-Strike (@AllAboutCS2) March 12, 2026
Vitality — one of the most recognizable brands on the scene
The Team Vitality roster remains one of the most recognizable in Counter-Strike. The team regularly competes in the biggest tournaments on the scene and has a global fan base.
Players from the roster often become the faces of marketing campaigns, which once again highlights the growing commercial appeal of esports.
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Advertising as a new stage in CS2’s popularity
Such appearances of esports players in advertising campaigns show that brands are increasingly using players and teams as ambassadors.
For Counter-Strike, this also means expanding its audience, as advertising in major Asian cities introduces new viewers to the professional scene of the game.
