Our Approach
We specialize in athlete branding built on deep industry insight, senior-level expertise, and agile, custom creativity. Every project begins with a clear strategy: Understanding your goals, defining your positioning, and crafting a brand story that feels authentic to you.
From there, we deliver tailored design, content, and marketing that connect directly with your audience, ensuring every touchpoint strengthens your identity. Our process is fully collaborative: you bring the vision, and we provide the expertise to make it a reality.
Your Personal Brand. Our Digital Strategy.
Boutique Philosophy
Where Personalization Meets Performance.
Being a boutique agency means we work with fewer clients, allowing us to collaborate more closely with each one. This focus lets us provide white-glove service, full creative attention, and brand strategies built entirely around your career, personality, and ambitions.
You won’t be passed off to junior teams or forced into a pre-made template — instead, you receive senior-level guidance at every stage. For our athletes, this translates into faster decisions, highly personalized solutions, and a partner deeply invested in long-term growth both on and off the field.
In short: we’re not just building brands; we’re building lasting relationships.
Our Expertise
We specialize in athlete branding with deep industry insight, senior-level involvement, and agile, custom creativity—never generic, always tailored to the unique journey of each athlete.
Creative Agility
We deliver custom design, content, and brand storytelling—crafted to match each athlete’s unique voice, vision, and goals.
Niche Specialization
We focus exclusively on athlete branding, not broad or generalized marketing—ensuring strategies that resonate within the sports industry.
Industry Knowledge
We understand the unique needs of athletes, from building strong personal brands to aligning sponsorships and career opportunities.
Senior-Level Involvement
We bring senior-level expertise and guidance to every project and every touchpoint—so you always receive top-tier leadership, never a handoff.
Founders
We help you define and grow your personal brand through tailored digital strategy, standout creative, and senior-level expertise.
Meet Your Team
Marlene S. Kothes
BSc Communication Science
MSc Business Administration (Digital Marketing)
English (C2), German (C2), Dutch (B2), Spanish (A2)
Catherine Xu
BA Economics
MSc Business Administration (Digital Marketing)
English (C2), Chinese (C2)
Our Story
Every athlete has a story. Ours began long before CM AthleticDigital, shaped by a shared passion for sport, creativity, and the belief that athletes deserve branding as powerful as their performance.
Marlene S. Kothes
Sports were always a priority in my family. I held my first tennis racket at two and explored nearly every sport during my years at boarding school. Over time, I developed a deep passion for engaging with sports like football and Formula 1, captivated by their history, emotion, and heritage. Both creativity and sports have fueled my ambition, productivity, and personal growth, ultimately shaping my educational path. Years of working in digital marketing gave me the tools to unite my creative vision with strategic expertise. I believe sports hold endless opportunities for powerful branding, and the athletes who make these moments possible deserve marketing that matches their impact.
Catherine Xu
I grew up on the tennis court, competing internationally and learning lessons that reached far beyond the sport itself. Tennis gave me lifelong friendships, discipline, and a sense of purpose. Like me, every athlete carries a unique story shaped by their own journey. I began my career in finance, where I built a strong foundation in relationship building and strategic communication. In time, I knew I wanted to bring those skills back to the community that helped shape and inspire me. After earning my MBA with a focus on Digital Marketing, I chose to stand at the intersection of sport and storytelling — helping athletes share their voice and grow their brand.
