Maverick Carter, CEO of LRMR Innovative Marketing & Branding, is responsible for the company’s overall strategic direction and spearheads their new business development efforts. In addition, Carter plays a vital role in all client management issues, providing marketing and branding advice and counsel to clients such as LeBron James, 2009 NBA MVP and internationally recognized superstar who plays for the Cleveland Cavaliers. Carter also works with the internationally renowned Steuben Glass, America’s premiere manufacturer of fine glass and crystal.
As part of his targeted and strategic approach to expanding the company’s business, Mr. Carter has established key relationships with Fortune 500 companies including Nike, State Farm, Microsoft, Coca-Cola, and the Wrigley Company. In addition, he has strong ties with leading companies such as American Express, Motorola, Upper Deck, American Eagle Outfitters and Cannondale Bicycle Corporation. Mr. Carter also has developed a close relationship with Warren Buffet, one of the world’s most renowned businessmen and a noted philanthropist.
Maverick Carter has been instrumental in the creation and development of the annual “2 Kings Dinner, one of the premier events during the NBA All-Star Game festivities. The “2 Kings event brings together a wide range of athletes, entertainers and Fortune 500 executives hosted by Shawn “Jay-Z Carter and LeBron James. The goal of the evening is to create marketing opportunities in a seamless and organic fashion and allow the guests to think of ways to work together in a capacity other than just endorsements and sponsorships.
In September of 2008, More Than a Game, executive produced by Maverick Carter and LeBron James debuted to critical acclaim at the Toronto Film Festival. The documentary was runner-up for the People’s Choice award to the eventual Academy Award winner Slum Dog Millionaire. It chronicles LeBron and his teammates at St.Vincent-St. Mary High School in Akron, Ohio and their seven-year journey which culminates with a national high school championship. The film opened Oct. 2, 2009 domestically in the United States, and was nominated for a 2010 Independent Spirit Award for Best Documentary.
Mr. Carter was influential in the publishing deal with Penguin Press for Shooting Stars, a book co-authored by LeBron James and Buzz Bissenger, which tells the story of teamwork, friendship, and brotherhood and how the St. Vincent-St. Mary High School team overcame adversity to fulfill their dream. Shooting Stars debuted on the New York Times bestseller list at #13 on September 8th, 2009.
In 2010 Mr. Carter was recognized by INC. magazine in their top 30 under 30 entrepreneur issue, and in 2009, he was recognized by the online magazine, The Root, published by the Washington Post, which provides thought-provoking commentary on today’s news from a variety of black perspectives as one of the 100 men and women who are changing the world with their actions, ideas and enthusiasms. In addition, Sports Business Journal named Mr. Carter as one of the 20 Most Influential Sports Agents in 2008. Also in 2008, he joined Bill Gates, Michael Dell, and Barry Diller among others in Business Week’s feature on top CEOs who made into corporate top spots without the benefit of a bachelor’s degree.
Prior to forming LRMR Marketing in 2006 with Mr. James, Carter was a basketball sports marketing field representative at Nike, working directly under the guidance of Lynn Merritt, the global head of Nike Basketball Sports Marketing. He was also actively involved in Nike’s efforts to expand the LeBron James brand through various marketing and promotional campaigns.
Mr. Carter attended Western Michigan University and currently lives in Akron, Ohio.
