LOS ANGELES
New vertical invests in companies, products and markets to help accelerate businesses
Global sports, music and culture agency Wasserman has launched new department Wasserman Ventures and named Darren Ross as EVP & Managing Director, Wasserman Ventures, announced today.
Using the power of Wasserman’s deep expertise and diverse suite of offerings, Wasserman Ventures invests in companies, products and markets where the company has real working knowledge and experience. Whether in service to Wasserman or its clients across sports, entertainment, music, brands and properties, Wasserman Ventures aims to accelerate existing and new businesses through both capital investment and services. The group works to utilize Wasserman’s experience, connections and team to help build and accelerate interesting companies and approaches to markets that complement Wasserman’s business across sports, music and entertainment.
“Our industry insight and connections, in combination with our world-class talent roster, put Wasserman in the unique position to recognize opportunities across the world of sports, music and entertainment,” said Ross. “As we grow, our platform continues to strengthen in terms of access to data, talent and ideas that we believe will help accelerate the market. We have a long history of being entrepreneurial – with successes including the creation of Hoonigan alongside the late Ken Block – and the launch of Wasserman Ventures formalizes these efforts.”
Wasserman Ventures will partner with Wasserman’s industry-leading roster across sports, entertainment and music talent as well as brands and properties to help accelerate ideas into the market, while further enhancing the company’s suite of services to new and existing clients. Wasserman Ventures is actively examining current industry themes, including: the rise of new leagues and special events; deepening fan experiences; business optimization through technologies such as AI; data visualization and our proprietary access to data; and microtransactions within the media landscape. More information will be released in the near future on the group’s first forays, including the launch of a racing league alongside a Wasserman action sports client and an innovation in fan experience for properties alongside The Collective, Wasserman’s womenfocused practice.
Throughout its 20-year history, Wasserman has deliberately and strategically grown its suite of services and worldwide presence through both targeted acquisitions and organic growth, establishing itself as one of the world’s leading companies in the areas of sports and music talent representation, and brand and property marketing.
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About Wasserman
Wasserman is a partner to the world’s most iconic sports figures, musical artists, brands and properties. Our purpose is to transform and advance brands, businesses and careers, empowering clients to create culture and impact audiences.
