Olympic Gymnast Shawn Johnson Attracting Top-Line Sponsors

Coca-Cola One Of Several Companies Sponsoring Johnson

U.S. Olympic gymnast Shawn Johnson has endorsement deals with Coca-Cola, adidas and grocery store Hy-Vee, and agent Sheryl Shade said that “other multinational corporations are in negotiations” with Johnson, according to Nancy Stockdale of the DES MOINES REGISTER. On Tuesday in West Des Moines, Shade gathered national media members, including NBC, the Washington Post, the L.A. Times and USA Today, “to unveil Johnson as a brand and promote her new sponsorships.” Reps from Johnson’s corporate partners were also at the meeting, where Hy-Vee Assistant VP/Communications & Brand Management Donna Tweeten showed a new ad featuring Johnson that will debut in March. Tweeten added that the chain “is working with private-label suppliers who want Johnson to be on their products in Hy-Vee stores.” Stockdale reported the Coca-Cola deal “may be the piece de resistance.” Details of a major marketing plan will be announced later this year, but it might involve a “very prolific NBA star” (DES MOINES REGISTER, 1/30).