Kobe Bryant Investor And Client In New Ad Agency Zambezi Ink

Creation Of Bryant’s Web Site One Of Zambezi Ink’s First Projects

Lakers G Kobe Bryant is an “investor and primary client” of Zambezi Ink, L.A., a new ad agency founded in September by two former Wieden & Kennedy employees and their associates, according to Helen Jung of the Portland OREGONIAN. The agency is “consulting with the companies that hire Bryant as an endorser and even producing commercials in some cases.” Zambezi Ink Managing Dir and co-Founder Chris Raih: “We hope to have our fingerprints on as much marketing as possible where it pertains to Kobe.” Jung notes one of the agency’s first projects was creating kb24.com, Bryant’s personal Web site. The company also wrote and shot a Living Spaces Furniture ad featuring Bryant and has produced video of Bryant at an online auction for Upper Deck. Upper Deck Authenticated Group Product Manager Jamie Kiskis said that he “anticipates that Zambezi would shoot any commercials involving Bryant, despite Upper Deck’s own agency relationships.” Nike Dir of Communications Rodney Knox said that company officials have met with Zambezi Ink for an “‘exchange of ideas and concepts,’... but little has progressed beyond that so far.” Raih indicated the agency is “talking with other companies and pro athletes, including basketball, boxing and football players.”

SELF PROMOTION: Jung notes last year, Cavaliers F LeBron James fired his agent and created his own LRMR Marketing agency. Sports Business Group President David Carter said, “In years past, the major footwear and apparel manufacturers certainly have taken the lead in positioning these athletes. But now ... because of the immediacy of the media, they can market and promote themselves more directly. They don’t need to rely on someone else to take the lead” (Portland OREGONIAN, 5/9).