Former USOC Execs Announce Launch Of Sports Agency

By Tripp Mickle, Staff Writer, SportsBusiness Journal

Former USOC execs JIM SCHERR, JIM GRICE, DARRYL SEIBEL and STEVE BRUNNER today announced the launch of their own sports marketing and event agency, 776 Original Marketing. The full-service company will work with properties and brands in a variety of areas, including sponsorship analysis and valuation, sponsorship and licensing sales; contract negotiation; sponsorship activation, measurement and management; event planning and development; communications strategy, positioning and media training. The new company begins with a client base that includes the Amgen Tour of California, Tour of Missouri, Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association, USA Wrestling and USA Bobsled & Skeleton. Scherr will be the company's CEO, while Grice will serve as Managing Partner of Sales & Licensing, Seibel as Managing Partner of Communications and Brunner as Managing Partner of Marketing. The group, which has an extensive Olympics background, takes its name from the year 776 BC, when the Ancient Olympic Games were first held. Scherr was USOC CEO from '03-09; Grice was USOC CMO from '04-07; and Seibel was the USOC's senior communications exec from '03-09. Brunner most recently served as KOM Sports Marketing President, where he helped develop the Amgen Tour of California and the Tour of Missouri cycling races. The announcement was made today at the TEAMS Conference in New Orleans.