Names & Faces: Will A-Rod Benefit From William Morris Deal?
Maxximum Marketing President Mark Lepselter said of Yankees 3B Alex Rodriguez signing a marketing deal with the William Morris Agency, “I don’t think he knows what he’s doing. … Half the problem for A-Rod is he’s somewhat jealous of the guy to the left of him (Yankees SS Derek Jeter), and this is kind of a domino effect of Jeter landing that Gillette deal with Tiger.” Lepselter said part of the reason Rodriguez "hasn’t landed the big endorsement deals is Madison Avenue doesn’t know (who he is). His image seems to change or his message seems to change every couple of months.” SportsBusiness Journal's Daniel Kaplan said, “Jumping to (WMA) doesn’t make a lot of sense. If you want to do movies, if you want to get into TV, yeah, it makes a lot of sense. But if you want bigger endorsements, if you want to change your image, I don’t understand going to (WMA)” (“America’s Nightly Scoreboard,” Fox Business, 7/22).
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Jeter Discusses Opening Of His First Signature
24 Hour Fitness Club On Fox Business |
SPEAKING OF JETER: Jeter last night appeared on Fox Business’ “Happy Hour” last night to discuss the opening of his first signature 24 Hour Fitness health club in N.Y. Jeter: "This is an ownership thing, this is not an endorsement deal where you just put your name on something." Fox Business’ Cody Willard noted there is now a "Derek Jeter brand," that in "many ways, you’re actually the clean face of (MLB)” ("Happy Hour," Fox Business, 7/23). Jeter said he invests “in a whole bunch of different things." Jeter: "You know you always hear the phrase, ‘Don’t put your eggs in one basket.’ Right now, one of the best investments is this club” ("Closing Bell," CNBC, 7/22).
FIGHTING OUT OF A CORNER? In N.Y., Stephanie Clifford writes, "Is there still life left in the George Foreman brand?" A new reality TV series starring Foreman and his family, titled "Family Foreman," debuted last week on TV Land, and Foreman on his Web site sells autographed boxing gloves, cookbooks and memoirs. Vitamins and vibrating massages are "next on the list." But Clifford writes "squeezing more profit from the Foreman name may be a challenge." There are questions whether the public is "sick of George Foreman, and whether his name is overexposed." Foreman's Q score, which measures awareness and appeal of celebrities, is "another negative sign." Marketing Evaluations CEO Steven Levitt said Foreman's Q score suggests he is "not the most lovable personality. He's O.K. -- but O.K. isn't enough, especially as this economy gets tighter and tighter" (N.Y. TIMES, 7/24).
TITAN-IC EFFORT: Titans QB Vince Young this week is promoting his new Reebok VY Electrify shoe, and in a Q&A with THEBIGLEAD.com, said, "The shoe is definitely a dream come true." Young: "It's something I've been looking forward to since I was a little kid. I used to see guys like [former NFLer] Deion Sanders and players of that caliber getting their own shoe, and Reebok granted me a huge wish of mine. This is pretty cool" (THEBIGLEAD.com, 7/23). Young, in a Q&A with ESPN.com's Paul Kuharksy, said of his endorsement deals, which also include Powerade and Spalding, "It's going good, my dream coming true, a lot of great partnerships. Reebok is doing a lot of great things with the VY Electrify" (ESPN.com, 7/23).
GOLDEN BOOT: MLS Galaxy MF David Beckham during tonight's MLS All-Star Game at BMO Field will wear limited-edition adidas gold Predator cleats. adidas made only 2,000 pairs of the shoe, will sell for $200 exclusively at Eurosport (THE DAILY).
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| Beckham To Wear Gold adidas Cleats During All-Star Game |
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