SNR Denton announced that the firm represented Just Marketing International (JMI), a global leader in motorsports marketing, in a strategic investment in JMI by WPP, the world’s largest advertising agency group.

 

JMI was founded by CEO Zak Brown in 1995 and has become the pre-eminent motorsports marketing agency. JMI represents a broad portfolio of global brands with an established presence in all key international series, including Formula 1, NASCAR, IndyCar, The World Rally Championship and the major sportscar categories. JMI operates from its Indianapolis headquarters with offices in London, Singapore, Hong Kong, Charlotte, N.C. and Daytona Beach, Fla.

 

The investment represents a strategic affiliation by both parties to leverage expertise and elevate client insights and solutions; JMI will have access to WPP’s global network while providing a direct route for WPP clients to be introduced to motorsports.

 

Spire Capital, which took a majority stake in JMI in 2008, remains the principal shareholder and Brown the second largest shareholder. WPP takes a minority equity stake and has representation on the board of JMI, with the Credit Suisse Customized Fund Investment Group completing the shareholder group.

 

“WPP’s investment in JMI is a significant development for the company, its people and its clients,” said SNR Denton New York Corporate partner Paul Gajer.

SNR Denton represented both Spire Capital and JMI in the transaction. SNR Denton’s team was led by Gajer and he was joined by New York partner Ron Sitton.