Ryan Totka

Ryan Totka
Born (1977-12-30) December 30, 1977
Edison, New Jersey, U.S.
Residence Orlando, Florida
Education University of Central Florida
Occupation Sports agent
Years active 1998–present
Website www.ryantotka.com

Ryan Totka (born December 30, 1977) is an American sports talent agent. He is the founder, owner, and president of Athlete Promotions, a sports marketing and booking agency based in Orlando, with offices in Dallas and Los Angeles, that represents roughly 30 professional sports clients, including many high-profile players. Since 2001, Totka has brokered several bookings and appearances for many of his clients including Wayne Chrebet, Tobias Harris, Spud Webb, Mark Cuban, Brady Anderson, Lisa Leslie, Terrell Owens, Kenny Smith, and Danny White.

Early life and education

Totka was born in Edison, New Jersey and grew up in Orlando, Florida. He attended the University of Central Florida to pursue Business Administration and Marketing. Totka was the winner of the 2003 University of Central Florida Rising Star Award for the College of Business, and in 2007 was nominated for the 40 under 40 award in the Orlando Business Journal.[1] Totka received his Business Administration degree from the University of Central Florida in 1999. After college, he launched several companies including TornadoPromotions.com, EliteJets, Red Carpet Monday, and Athlete Promotions.

Athlete promotions

Today, Totka is the founder and owner of the AthletePromotions, a sports marketing and booking agency. Totka's start in sports marketing came by creating the official website for Zack Greinke, a friend from Orlando and current baseball pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers, and Rickie Weeks, the current second baseman for the Milwaukee Brewers. In 2003, he landed his first job with a major athlete when he was hired to do search engine marketing for LeBron James.[2] To date, Totka has booked many of today’s world class athletes and celebrities including, Terrell Owens, Tim Tebow,[3] Mark Cuban,[4] Josh Hamilton, Dennis Rodman,[5] Mike Tyson, Audrina Patridge, Magic Johnson and hundreds of others. He also created, markets, and manages the official websites of Kenny Smith, Thurman Thomas, Terrell Owens, Allen Iverson, Dez Bryant, Wayne Chrebet, Brady Anderson, Clinton Portis, Danny White, Tobias Harris and others.

StayDwight.com

In 2011, when the Orlando Magic were dealing with the free agency of their star player Dwight Howard, Totka launched a self-funded community campaign called, StayDwight.com. The website quickly gained local popularity and national media attention on NBA.com,[6] ESPN.com,[7] CBSSports.com,[8] NBC Sports,[9] Yahoo! Sports,[10] and Sporting News,[11] along with billboards and other viral marketing strategies. Despite Totka’s efforts, Howard was traded from Orlando to the Los Angeles Lakers on August 10, 2012.

ThrowUpTheX

In 2014, Totka and Adam Alson launched ThrowUpTheX[12] for Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant. According to ThrowUpTheX.com, ThrowUpTheX is Bryant's official brand and apparel line and a movement for those who score a touchdown in their everyday lives.[13]

LUMATIV

In 2015, Totka became a partner of LUMATIV [14] an innovative wearable technology company based out of Los Angeles, California specializing in designing and producing illuminated systems for apparel and accessories.[15]

References

  1. ↑ "2007 Forty Under 40 nominees". Orlando Business Journal. July 15, 2003.
  2. ↑ Patricia Xavier (July 15, 2003). "Dream of success takes off with a rising star". Central Florida Future.
  3. ↑ Adam Silverstein (April 14, 2010). "Tim Tebow will speak at your event…for $30-$50K". Only Gators.
  4. ↑ Darren Heitner (July 23, 2013). "Six Questions With Celebrity/Athlete Booking Agent Ryan Totka". Sports Agent Blog.
  5. ↑ Joe Mont (January 1, 2012). "What it costs to hire a celeb". MSN Money.
  6. ↑ Sekou Smith (April 22, 2011). "Magic Fan Fighting For Dwight". NBA.com.
  7. ↑ Zach McCann (March 16, 2012). "Man behind 'Stay Dwight' celebrates [for now]". ESPN.
  8. ↑ Matt Moore (April 20, 2011). "Magic fans launch StayDwight.com". CBS Sports.
  9. ↑ Kurt Helin (April 20, 2011). "Magic fans launch StayDwight.com". NBC Sports.
  10. ↑ Dan Devine (July 2, 2012). "Dwight Howard again wants out of Orlando, and even StayDwight.com is giving up the ghost". Yahoo! Sports.
  11. ↑ David Whitley (April 20, 2011). "Dwight Howard knows he needs to leave Orlando to win". Sporting News.
  12. ↑ Mark J. Burns (August 28, 2014). "NFL Superstar Dez Bryant Launches Apparel And Lifestyle Brand, 'ThrowUpTheX'". Forbes.com.
  13. ↑ "throwupthex.com". throwupthex.com.
  14. ↑ Mark J. Burns (June 9, 2015). "Wearable Technology Company LUMATIV Partners With Top-Tier Sports And Entertainment Brands". Forbes.
  15. ↑ "lumativ.com". lumativ.com.

External links

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