Steven Bartlett’s marketing company breaks into web3 with acquisition of Zebu

Flight Story, the digital marketing and communications company, co-founded by Steven Bartlett (thirdweb co-founder, BBC Dragon’s Den & Diary of a CEO podcast host) and Oliver Yonchev (former MD of Social Chain AG), today announces the acquisition of web3 marketing collective Zebu to launch Flight3 – a new innovation marketing arm.

Founded in 2021, Steven and Oliver set out to make Flight Story the most forward-thinking digital marketing company in the market, with the sole aim of keeping its clients at the forefront of the changing digital media landscape.

The acquisition of Zebu strengthens Flight Story’s services and capabilities in web3, ai and VR strategy, content, comms and media, with a specific focus on supporting brands in the innovation, web3 and emerging technology spaces.

Brothers Harry and Jolyon Layard Horsfall founded Zebu with their close friend Henry Hankin in 2021 as the digital world saw a colossal upheaval. Web3 and blockchain boomed, and many companies didn’t know how to keep up.

To give brands a fighting chance in the evolving landscape, Harry, Jolyon and Henry built Zebu, forming a 30-strong best-in-class team that accelerates web3 and innovation projects (working with brands including Solana, Tezos, OKX and NEAR) set to change the world.

Steven Bartlett, co-founder of Flight Story shares: “‘Web 3.0’ includes AI, Machine Learning and blockchain technology. The total market valuation of the metaverse is forecasted to be $678bn by 2030, per Grand View Research and ‘web 3.0’ is already on its way to becoming a multi-trillion dollar industry.

“Flight Story endeavours to be the most advanced marketing agency in the world, to do that, we need people who are native to the technology that the future will be built on. That’s why Zebu is the perfect addition to the Flight Story team - they further our mission of keeping brands at the very forefront of what’s possible.”

The new Flight3 division of Flight Story will focus on providing web3-focused community growth, influencer marketing, social media, content marketing, brand design & animation, PR and live events. Zebu Live, the brands’ web3 conference, will remain as a core part of the Flight3 offering.

Oliver Yonchev, CEO and co-founder of Flight Story adds: “During a time of fast growth within the Flight Story business, we are excited to be launching Flight3 as part of our Flight Story ecosystem. The company perfectly embodies our values and the new team will strengthen Flight Story’s expertise in community building and new technologies.”

Harry Horsfall, CEO of Flight3 says: “Since we met Steven and Oliver, we instantly connected on our excitement for the changing digital landscape. We can’t wait to become fully embedded and integrate into Flight Story’s marketing and communication services.”

By Mark Adair – Correspondent, Bdaily

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