'S BRAND AMBASSADOR
MARCO MATERAZZI AND FLEA.
“Coming together is a beginning; staying together is progress; working together is success”
We won’t be talking about sports—or at least not the kind you’re thinking of. We won’t be talking about his legendary status; that’s obvious and plain for all to see. We won’t be talking about heart-pounding nights cheering on our favorite team or crying tears of joy amid a sea of blue flags. We’ll be talking about a man, a professional, a role model—but above all, a friend. For us at Flea, Marco is all of this: a legend, yes, but always with the spirit of someone who knows how to listen, speak, take risks, and find the right paths to success. We began this article with a phrase that fits Matteo and Maria Cristina perfectly and their entrepreneurial and personal evolution, especially tied to that day when their meeting with Marco Materazzi made the Birra Flea brand a global success. As we mentioned earlier, this is, more than a piece about a strictly business connection with a renowned figure in world soccer, above all the story of a friendship, of a genuine and sincere relationship between the Minelli family—especially Matteo—and Marco Materazzi.
Matteo and Marco met for the first time at a company dinner in Perugia, and between bites and a chat with mutual acquaintances, they introduced themselves to each other. It was 2015. It goes without saying how emotional certain moments can be, when you find yourself in the presence of a great athlete who, beyond club allegiances, is a symbol and standard-bearer of a winning and tenacious Italy that unites us all. Matteo immediately saw in Marco a well-prepared person, not at all arrogant despite his track record, with a strong desire to challenge himself in new ways. They discovered many shared passions, such as sports. We promised not to talk about the sport you’re thinking of, and we won’t even tell you which team Matteo fanatically supports. We’ll just say that he wears white instead of blue. That says it all when it comes to their daily banter. We’ll talk, however, about a particular sport, known in Italy only recently, but which has gained significant traction lately: Paddle. What is Paddle? It’s a game similar to tennis, with a smaller court surrounded by glass walls and nets that you can interact with and play directly off of. Exhausting, but a real cure-all for releasing tension. This shared passion still keeps them engaged at almost obsessive levels.
Over time, starting in 2015, a bond developed between Marco and Matteo that goes beyond the purely competitive aspect; Matteo found in Marco the perfect ambassador to give his beer a bold, strong, and empathetic image, through one of Italy’s most popular figures—a world champion. A champion who has proven himself not only in his professional career but also as a human being. Marco is a genuine person with strong values, deeply devoted to his family and in love with his wife and their wonderful children, with whom he shares a passion for traveling and discovering the world. But every journey eventually brings him back home to his beloved Umbria. Here is the missing link: the modern hero capable of uniting all spheres—from sports to the world of business—with strength, tenacity, and values. A hero capable of uniting the young and the not-so-young, a contemporary figure of strong charisma who fits perfectly with our heroes of the past and, above all, is in love with our region. Marco, through his presence, brings Birra Flea to the table of our times, bringing the product into our era—an era of success, of real people, of champions like him.
Once Marco and Matteo had become close friends, Matteo decided to personally pitch the project to him: to become the modern face of his beer. It was a significant proposal, given that the business had just launched and Birra Flea was tentatively entering the world of industry giants, still lacking a seasoned team to handle marketing strategies. At first, it was almost a leap of faith, but with the understanding that only those who dare can hope to achieve results. A proposal based on trust, but one that was ultimately rewarded by taking root all over the world. Marco accepted, being the lover of beer and challenges that he is, and from 2015 to the present day, his presence, his willingness, and his respect for the delicate role entrusted to him have never wavered. He has always given his all with passion and friendship, considering himself a full-fledged partner in the company. That enthusiasm and drive allowed us to make giant strides in a short time. He didn’t just lend his image; he introduced us to many of his friends in the restaurant industry—owners of high-end establishments—where Birra Flea is now sold and enjoyed. Customers see him as a guarantee of quality, and that guarantee is reflected in the product he himself endorses and considers his own. Marco has not only given our company a face, but has always helped us with many business ideas that have made our bond, day after day, ever stronger.
He was always willing to help, even when we decided to feature his image in advertisements alongside medieval heroes; the Marimo agency, which handled our communications at the time, oversaw his debut in Flea and organized numerous photo shoots to capture and immortalize the product’s visual impact. These visuals accompanied us at trade shows, exhibitions, and events around the world, alongside a video produced using the best editing techniques that still feels relevant today. We all owe Marco Materazzi a debt of gratitude for putting his face out there every day—just as he did as a soccer player and continues to do today as an entrepreneur—contributing daily to raising the profile of Birra Flea in Italy and around the world with the know-how of a true champion.
There are some exciting projects in the works for the near future featuring Marco and Matteo—we won’t give anything away, but it’s going to be a big surprise!
