Ex-Volleyball Star Buys Firm

Barnes Dyer Marketing, an Irvine firm that specializes in sports sponsorship marketing with an emphasis on motor sports and golfing, has been purchased by former collegiate volleyball great Anthony Curci.

As part of the deal, the company’s name has been changed to Barnes Curci Marketing Inc. Former owners Bill and Pam Dyer, who acquired the company from founder Bruce Barnes in 1992, say they sold it to free themselves to pursue other interests.

Barnes, whose name has stayed on the door through all the ownership changes and who has continued to serve as president and chief executive, will remain in those posts and says he has an option under the new deal to acquire a 25% stake in the company.

Curci, who had owned his own Newport Beach-based sales and marketing firm, will be vice president of sales and client promotions.