The "21" Story

Founded in 1991 as the 21st Century Marketing Group the original “21” opened its doors with 2 clients, the IOC’s TOP Programme (thru ISL) and a consultancy with Mt. Gay Rum serving its America’s Cup sponsorship.  From 1991 to 1997 21 Marketing represented and created a number of significant and revolutionary projects in the sports, entertainment and intellectual marketing arenas. The company signed representation deals that included FIFA’s 1994 World Cup in the US, the World Championships of Ice Hockey, World Wildlife Fund and NASA. Probably the most press worthy was 21’s work with Jerry Jones and the Dallas Cowboys in the early 90’s.

In 1996, 21 created, developed and implemented a sponsorship program for the Smithsonian Institutions 150th Anniversary celebration.  A 100,000 square foot nationally traveling exhibition featuring the Smithsonian’s most important artifacts, 3 Prime Time Specials on CBS, Smithsonian Minutes and an anniversary concert weekend on the Mall in Washington. That program forever changed the landscape of sponsoring “intellectual properties”.

“21” was one of the first companies to develop Olympic consultancies, advising companies on the pro’s and con’s of Olympic sponsorship, negotiating Olympic relationships and contracts on behalf of Corporations, developing strategic plans surrounding an Olympic sponsorship and implementing those plans.

In October of 2007 Rob announced his plans to re-start 21 Marketing with the same mission of the original 21; to be a dominant player in the representation of Olympic properties, high profile events and continue to work with entertainment and intellectual properties.

Since that time “21” has represented the USOC on two separate and distinct projects which included signing P&G as a USOC sponsor in 2009. Additionally, they were under contract to the IOC to create a business development and educational tool to be used by the IOC, existing organizing committees, IFs, NOCs, and current and future sponsors. Additional assignments have been representing the Miami Dolphins in evaluating their Stadium Naming Rights and EarthQuest, a planned exhibition and residential community in Texas.

Current projects include work with USOC, Dentsu (IAAF/FINA), Global Experience Specialists and Johnson & Johnson.