JMI

Results-driven

Zak Brown, Founder and CEO, Just Marketing International (JMI) and his team help corporate clients reach their motorsports marketing goals through a wide array of sponsorships, advertising, special events, public relations, promotions, product licensing and corporate hospitality opportunities. JMI handles all the details from creating solid strategy to implementing successful, targeted tactics. JMI's customized, turnkey motorsports solutions also include detailed results measurement and reporting.

The goal, according to Brown, is to help marketers look past the glitz of racing and understand how the right motorsports marketing mix can boost the bottom line. "There's no denying that this is an exciting type of marketing," Brown said. "People love to be associated with the glamour and thrills of racing, and especially to be behind-the-scenes players in the sport. But at the end of the day, what really matters is getting the best return on investment. This is a serious business, and the people who get the best results take it very, very seriously."

From Professional Driver to CEO

In many ways, the growth of JMI has paralleled the history of Zak Brown. A unique aspect of Brown's business career is that his entrance into motorsports marketing started from behind the wheel. A former professional race car driver hailing from Los Angeles, California, Brown spent more than 10 years racing in a variety of championship series in the United States and Europe. His racing career highlights include second-place category finishes at world-renowned sports car endurance races - the 24 Hours of Daytona and at the 12 Hours of Sebring - both aboard factory-assisted Porsche entries. Brown has won multiple open-wheel and sports car racing events in North America and Europe. He continues to race recreationally in the North American Ferrari Challenge series, where he was a race winner in 2007-2008. Brown will be a 2010 Competitor in the FIA GT3 European Championship and select vintage races.

Throughout his racing career, Brown studied the business side of motorsports with a special focus on what worked best for sponsors and marketers. After the success of securing two major sponsors with the team for which he raced, Brown discovered a niche in the industry. He transitioned from his full-time professional racing career to launch Just Marketing International in 1995. His unique industry niche is now, through JMI, representing corporate clients within the complex global world of motorsports marketing.

JMI Growth

JMI has grown from a one-man operation start to its current stature as a globally recognized leader in motorsports, supported by a growing staff of more than 125 employees. Brown has successfully leveraged his comprehensive knowledge of the global motorsports marketplace to steadily attract a virtual all-star team of the most talented and experienced staff.

Brown, 37, leads this team from its Global Headquarters just miles from the storied Indianapolis Motor Speedway. JMI has offices globally - including in London, England, in Cologne, Germany, in Montreal, Canada and U.S. offices in Charlotte, NC and the New York metro area.

Since JMI's founding, Brown and his team have led the motorsports marketing industry in developing sponsorships and strategic marketing solutions in major motorsports series globally - including NASCAR, Formula One World Championship, IndyCar, NHRA, Grand-Am and American Le Mans Series among others.

In June 2008, JMI announced a major partnership to fuel global growth through an investment lead by private equity firm Spire Capital Partners and Credit Suisse.

As a result, the world's largest independent motorsport agency receives strategic support and substantial investment lead by Spire, which invests in the development of leading companies in the information services, business service and media and communication sectors.

JMI is now the world leader in motorsports marketing, managing more than $300 million annually within all major racing series. The agency has earned its reputation by placing more team primary sponsorships, track and event entitlements, league official status, series naming rights and driver endorsements than any other agency.

JMI has developed the "Executive Drive" program, a high-end, customized driving events endeavor in which guests participate in unforgettable driving adventures held at prominent race tracks and featuring a fleet of international exotic sports cars.