rEv United
rEvolution Sports Marketing Group is the latest agency to launch a soccer-specific division, called rEv United, in the lead-up to the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America. The Chicago-based firm has a track record in soccer that includes work with MLS, FIFA and Concacaf. Earlier this year, rEvolution became Ligue 1’s agency of record in the U.S.
rEvolution SVP Bruce Bundrant, whose experience in soccer includes stints at Relevent Sports Group, AS Monaco, Liverpool and DC United, will be among the leaders of the rEv United. He told SBJ that the agency plans to make several hires focused on soccer as part of the formation of the new division.
The agency sees the opportunity to grow its business serving both soccer properties and brands. Bundrant pointed out that brands seeking to make a foray into the soccer space face a cluttered and complex soccer landscape that rEvolution can help them navigate.
“It is really complicated right now in terms of the number of teams, leagues, tournaments, federations, confederations, one-off games, friendly games, et cetera,” Bundrant said. “There's just a ton of soccer.”
Bundrant said that with the 2026 World Cup less than three years away, marketing agencies are seeking to best position themselves to win the business of brands seeking to capitalize on the once-in-a-generation event.
“Right now, I see a lot of jockeying for position,” Bundrant said. “There are international agencies that are coming to the U.S. and setting up shop, there U.S. agencies like us that are promoting soccer-specific divisions. There's so many people that are piling in trying to understand what the World Cup is going to mean.”
Other notable moves in the space this year have included GMR Marketing launching its own dedicated division for soccer called GMR FC and For Soccer Ventures acquiring Gilt Edge Soccrer Marketing.
