Founder/CEO of The Marketing Arm agency pivots to his VC Think360.

Ray Clark is an entrepreneur and venture capitalist, who has founded or acquired over 20 companies in the CPG, retail, sports, entertainment, cause, celebrity, influencer, events, promotion, social media, and content spaces.

Best known as the Founder/CEO of The Marketing Arm, recognized as one of the most dynamic marketing agencies in the world and acquired by Omnicom, Ray now partners with entrepreneurs to go further faster. In every case, Ray applies his unique professional “swirl” to the business, including his Capital, Connections, Creative and 360 Mentorship.

 

In 2021, he partnered with, or created 10 different companies which raised over $100 million.

 

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

1987-1993 Sports Marketing Jobs

Worked for two sports marketing agencies, ProServ and Talent Sports International. The primary focus was marketing activities for NBA players (Michael Jordan, Patrick Ewing, Dominique Wilkins, and James Worthy) represented by Sports Agent David Falk, as well as management of celebrity, tennis, and basketball events.

1993-2019 The Marketing Arm (TMA)

Founded TMA at age 28, and seed investors were Sports Agents Kyle Rote Jr and Jimmy Sexton.

  • 1993: Signed Scottie Pippen and handled marketing for over 20 years.

    1994: Signed Nokia and managed The Sugar Bowl for 10 years.

    1995: Signed Frito Lay and for 25 years provides sports marketing, events, celebrity talent and promotional services.

    1998: Signed dozens of NBA players for marketing.

    1999: TMA sells to Omnicom. Ray continues as CEO.

    2000: Signs SBC (which becomes AT&T), and for 20 years provided sports marketing, entertainment marketing, events, cause consulting, and celebrity talent buying.

    2003: Acquires Event Company USMP, Los Angeles CA.

    2004: Acquires Sports Consultancy, Millsport, NY, NY.

    2005: Acquires Entertainment Agency, Davie Brown Entertainment, Los Angeles CA.

    2006: TMA named USA Promotional Agency of the Year

    2008: TMA Acquires Mobile Agency, IPSH!, San Francisco, CA.

    2010: TMA creates Uncle Drew viral videos for Pepsi, which becomes the second most viewed branded video on You Tube in the World that year.

    2010: TMA Acquires Social Media Agency, Fanscape, Los Angeles, Ca.

    2011: TMA named “Most Awarded Agency in America.”

    2012: TMA named “Best Sports Consultancy.”

    2014: TMA named “Best Sports Events Agency”

    2015: Doritos Crash The SuperBowl, created by TMA, named best idea of the decade.

    2015: TMA named a top 100 place to work in Dallas several years in a row.

    2016: TMA Acquires Celebrity Talent Buying Agency, Platinum Rye, NY,NY.

    2016: TMA Acquires Promotion Agency Alcone, Irvine CA.

    2016: TMA recognized as the largest brand side buyer of celebrity talent and influencers.

    2017: TMA grows to 800 employees.

    2018: TMA grows to 150 different brand clients in one year.

    2019: CEO Ray Clark announces his departure for later that year.

Creative Outlier

In 2007, Ray wrote a feature film script and took a brief leave of absence to produce the film, which was invited in to the Tribeca Film Festival, where it won Third Place out of 87 films.