Dairy King: U.S. Gymnast Paul Hamm Inks Deal With Marigold

Gold Medalist Inks Dairy Deal

U.S. gymnastics Gold Medalist Paul Hamm has signed his first post-Olympics endorsement deal with Minneapolis-based Marigold Foods to promote its Kemps brand milk and ice cream, according to Tom Daykin of the MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL. Hamm, a Wisconsin native, will be shown wearing a milk moustache in newspaper ads throughout the state beginning this month. His photo also will appear “on millions of Kemps milk containers sold at supermarkets in Wisconsin and Minnesota beginning Oct. 15 and running through December.” Kemps is creating a special ice cream flavor -– “gold medal pecan swirl” –- to commemorate Hamm’s performance in Athens. The new flavor will be available in Wisconsin grocery stores this November through January. Kemps VP/Marketing Rachel Kyllo indicated that Hamm “appealed to Marigold’s strategy of selling Kemps’ milk as a wholesome beverage with health benefits.” Kyllo said that the controversy surrounding Hamm’s Gold Medal did not “lessen [his] endorsement value,” adding, “He’s a champion in anyone’s book” (MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL, 10/7).

GOLD STANDARD: In Colorado Springs, Meri-Jo Borzilleri reports U.S. Rep. James Sensenbrenner Jr. (R-WI) is “moving ahead with plans for a hearing on how the USOC and USA Gymnastics handled” the controversy around Hamm. But USOC Chair Peter Ueberroth accused Sensenbrenner of “using the issue to raise his profile in a reelection year.” Last month, Hamm taped a spot in support of Sensenbrenner’s campaign. But Sensenbrenner’s Chief of Staff Tom Schreibel said it is not “a campaign ploy. Members of the judiciary committee have approached [Sensenbrenner], both Republicans and Democrats, to have a hearing on this and look into it.” USOC Chief Communications Officer Darryl Seibel said, “When [Sensenbrenner] has a better understanding of everything we have done to support [Hamm] from Day 1, he’ll have a much greater appreciation and comfort level with how this matter’s been handled” (Colorado Springs GAZETTE, 10/7).