Saints QB Drew Brees has signed a deal to become an endorser and investor in Swink.TV, a California-based online startup enabling sharing and tagging of high school athletic video. Users upload game video to Swink.TV, which encodes, edits and tags the material for social media sharing and searching. The company was co-founded and is led by Dan Policy, son of former 49ers President Carmen Policy. Brees also is involved in mobile and social gaming company WedgeBuster (Eric Fisher, SportsBusiness Journal).
GOT MUSCLE?: Packers LB Clay Matthews will appear on a limited edition 14-ounce bottle of Muscle Milk sold in Wisconsin. The bottle is “part of the Muscle Milk Recovery Grant Program that provides money to high school athletics programs across the country” (GREENBAYPRESSGAZETTE.com, 10/1).
WHAT’S NOT TO LIKE: In Denver, L. Wayne Hicks notes Broncos QB Peyton Manning since turning pro in '98 has “pitched MasterCard, Gatorade, Sony, DirecTV, Reebok, Spring, Wheaties and ... Oreo cookies." Manning has also done commercials for the Buick Verano and Papa John’s pizza since signing with the Broncos in March. Boulder-based TDA Advertising & Design Art Dir Barrett Brynestad said that companies are “gravitating to Manning for their advertising because of both the athlete’s likability and his success." He added those brands “hope his likability transfers to whatever he’s promoting.” Brynestad said he considers Manning to be “a little robotic” in his ads but added the quarterback “achieves what a celebrity endorser needs to achieve” (DENVER BUSINESS JOURNAL, 9/28 issue).
