Strike A Pose: Modeling Agency Repping Seven LPGA Golfers
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| Hall Among LPGAers Making Up "Wilhelmina 7" |
The Wilhelmina Artist Management agency has signed a deal to rep seven LPGA golfers and has "launched a campaign to get them work, and ... exposure," according to Thomas Bonk of the L.A. TIMES. The group, dubbed the "Wilhelmina 7," were hand-picked by the agency, which is seeking "sponsorship and endorsement deals for the women as a group and as individuals." Wilhelmina President Dieter Esch: "There was simply not enough pizazz on the LPGA Tour. The players had no representation to speak of, no advertisements to speak of. It's a crime, so Wilhelmina is taking it upon itself to change that." Esch added, "I hope that they get exposure beyond golf. It's about style and fashion too. I want people to come out to the golf course and say, 'What are they wearing this weekend?'" LPGAer Kim Hall, who is one of Wilhelmina's golfers, said, "I'd rather be known for my golf, but it's a bonus when you're considered attractive. It's flattering. It's kind of nice to be one of the 'cute' ones." Bonk notes Hall is joined in the group by Minni Blomqvist, Sandra Gal, Anna Grzebien, Johanna Head, Mikaela Parmlid and Stacy Prammanasudh. The concept behind the Wilhelmina 7 “hasn’t elicited much reaction among players on the tour, though several supported it.” LPGA HOFer Amy Alcott: “If this company can raise the visibility of the LPGA Tour, and to showcase areas away from the arena of golf too, then I think it’s a great thing” (L.A. TIMES, 6/25).
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Gulbis Highlights Evian Masters
Win On Cover Of Calendar |
BLONDE AMBITION: LPGA member Natalie Gulbis participated in a Q&A with the WALL STREET JOURNAL’s Tim Carroll as part of the "Long Toss" series. When asked about the branding and marketing that has made her “one of the best-known women golfers in the world,” Gulbis said, “I couldn’t be more proud and I absolutely love doing it. I love being part of different endeavors away from the golf course. And I continue to look for different ones that come up.” Gulbis' annual calendar did not have images of her in a bikini this year, and when asked if she was trying to change her image, Gulbis said, “Because I won this past year, we decided to make an all-golf calendar where we put the picture of me holding the trophy on the front and see how sales do with each individual calendar” (WSJ.com, 6/24).
WINNING OVER SPONSORS: USA TODAY’s Steve DiMeglio notes LPGA golfer and '07 U.S. Women's Open winner Cristie Kerr has been at “the forefront of marketing campaigns for Mutual of Omaha, French watchmaker Audemars Piguet and apparel company Lacoste.” Kerr is also “great with the microphone as a major fundraiser for breast cancer research and founder of Birdies for Breast Cancer, which raises money for research” (USA TODAY, 6/25).
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