BPI acquires Agado Communications; Appoints Mark Jones to lead sports offering strategy and growth

Following the formalization of the agency’s sports transformation offering in October, Bully Pulpit International (BPI) today announced the acquisition of Agado Communications, a strategic communications firm known for its bold, issue-forward work in sports, media, and advocacy across clients including the National Women’s Soccer League, International Olympic Committee, and International Cricket Council, among others. As part of the acquisition, Agado’s founder, Mark Jones will join BPI to lead the strategy and growth of the offering.

As policy, business, media, culture, technology, and politics continue to evolve rapidly, sports remain one of the few venues where people of all backgrounds and beliefs still come together while continuing to grow. Yet even in this new era, in which sports organizations and brands face increasing political, legal, financial, and cultural pressures, sports provide one of the biggest platforms for world change. To seize the opportunities presented by this moment, sports organizations, brands, and leaders need a single partner that can develop a comprehensive, integrated communications strategy that can speak to a variety of issues and audiences at once.

BPI has long been a partner to sports leaders like the NFL, NCAA, PGA TOUR, Formula 1, and notable athletes — experience that will be strengthened by the addition of Jones. Building on his decade of communications leadership at the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee, he has developed Agado into a trusted partner for some of the world’s most influential sports organizations and brands, helping them define objectives, anticipate challenges, and authentically connect with the audiences that matter most.

“Leading sports organizations now transcend their industries and need to navigate the same nuanced political, legal, and financial waters as other global brands. Mark brings that rare mix of deep sports media experience and political savvy honed on the world’s biggest stages that this moment demands,” said BPI CEO Andrew Bleeker.

In his new role, Jones will lead strategy and growth for BPI’s Sports Offering — working with leagues, teams, governing bodies, and brands to drive impact at the intersection of sports, business, culture, and public trust.

Prior to founding Agado in 2020, Jones spent ten years at the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC), ultimately serving as Vice President of Communications and Marketing. In that role, he led the communications efforts for Team USA across five Olympic and Paralympic Games, helping to steward one of the most recognized and influential brands in international sport through a dynamic era of achievement, change and reform.

Earlier in his career, Jones held senior roles at a global, public relations firm, advising clients on public affairs, corporate reputation, and sports marketing initiatives. He began his career in Washington, D.C., serving as a senior aide and foreign policy advisor in the United States Senate.

“At Agado, we built a reputation for doing the work — not chasing headlines, but shaping outcomes,” said Jones. “BPI understands the power of action, the value of sharp counsel, and the importance of creativity grounded in real-world impact. I’m excited to leverage a new, best-in-class set of services, from research to creative, along with BPI’s global scale to help shape what’s next for the business of sports.”

This acquisition underscores BPI’s commitment to expanding its reach in high-impact sectors and reflects the firm’s belief that sports is not just entertainment, but a powerful platform for influence, leadership, and change.