Kobe Bryant Selects DMA's &THEN as Early Speaking Venue to Shape Bryant Stibel's Technology, Data and Media Investments

Superstar Athlete Turned Venture Capitalist Selects &THEN as Major Presentation Venue

(PRWEB) August 24, 2016

Building on the launch of his groundbreaking $100 million tech and data investment fund, Kobe Bryant has selected DMA's &THEN as one of his first major speeches to discuss his business vision for the technology, data and marketing (TDM) startup scene. Bryant, who announced his new venture capital firm, Bryant Stibel, is the closing Inspiration speaker for &THEN on Tuesday, Oct. 18 in Los Angeles, CA. Bryant and longtime business partner Jeff Stibel launched the firm, Monday, Aug. 22. DMA, the leading U.S. data and marketing association, brings together tech and marketing leaders from across the ecosystem to its annual event &THEN, which is taking place in Los Angeles, CA at the L.A. Live complex from October 16-18, 2016.

"Venture capital represents over $58 billion in annual investments, and plays a critical role in the marketing industry as martech and adtech startups revolutionize how companies market to consumers and improve lives," said Tom Benton, DMA's CEO. "With 15 startups under his belt, Kobe brings surprising knowledge and experience creating markets. For our part, DMA provides Kobe with exposure to the leading data and marketing firms and executives as well as the most promising start ups who will be competing in DMA's HOT ZONE competition for startups at &THEN."

As the sole association in the technology, data and marketing industries that fully represents the entire ecosystem of demand and supply side companies, DMA continues to attract the most innovative companies to its Board of Directors and membership roster. DMA's Board includes c-suite executives from market leaders American Express, Facebook, IBM, MediaMath, Experian, TD Ameritrade, Acxiom and OgilvyOne, among others.

"With this news, Kobe has completed his transition from celebrity and superstar athlete to tech and business entrepreneur which is right in the sweet spot of DMA and &THEN," says Paul McDonnough, DMA's VP of Conference's & Events. "With Kobe as our closing Inspiration Speaker at &THEN, DMA is again demonstrating how we give &THEN attendees a preview of the types of technologies and media innovations that will be funded and emerge into the marketplace."

For the second time in just three years, a top athlete turned business executive has selected DMA's annual conference as the venue of choice to connect with marketing leaders and advance their perspectives and strategies. In 2014, Earvin ‘Magic' Johnson, whose post-athletic successes include a range of investments through his company Magic Johnson Enterprises and philanthropic efforts on behalf of American cities and patients with HIV/AIDS, keynoted DMA's annual conference.

"Celebrities that have the acumen to parlay their careers into the business field recognize that marketers are extraordinary influencers and frankly advisors on data and marketing – the two critical elements to 21st century business success," said Benton. "Shaquille O'Neal, Serena Williams, Danica Patrick, LeBron James, and David Beckham join Kobe and Magic in recognizing the insights that modern marketers deliver when it comes to engaging fans in their encore seasons."

About &THEN, The DMA Annual Event:

&THEN, the reinvented DMA annual event, is the largest global event that unites the marketing community – the people who think, plan and do what it takes to succeed. &THEN takes place in Los Angeles, CA at the L.A. Live complex from October 16-18, 2016.

About DMA (http://www.thedma.org): Founded in 1917, DMA is the community that champions deeper consumer engagement and business value through the innovative and responsible use of data-driven marketing. DMA's membership is made up of today's leading tech and data innovators, brand marketers, agencies, service providers and media companies. By representing the entire marketing ecosystem – from demand side to supply side – DMA is uniquely positioned to bring win/win solutions to the market and ensure that innovative and disruptive marketing technology and techniques can be quickly applied for ROI.

DMA advances the data-driven marketing industry and serves its members through four principal pillars of leadership: advocating for marketers' ability to responsibly gather and refine detailed data; innovating to bring solutions forward for marketers' most vexing challenges; educating today's marketers to grow and lead marketing organizations in the ever-increasing omnichannel world; and connecting industry participants to stay current, learn best practices and gain access to emerging solutions through &THEN – the largest global event for data-driven marketing – and DMA's portfolio of other live events.

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