Inside Pitch: Cullen Jones Eyes Modeling Work, Additional Deals
By William Cooper, Staff Writer
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Jones Hoping To Turn Gold
Medal Into Modeling Career |
U.S. sprint swimmer Cullen Jones won gold Monday in his only event of the Beijing Games, swimming the third leg in the U.S.’ come-from-behind victory in the 4x100-meter men's freestyle relay final. But as good as Jones looked in the water Monday, it’s his look outside the pool that his agent, Premier Management Group’s Evan Morgenstein, says could present Jones with some of his most promising endorsement opportunities. Jones is interested in modeling and has expressed a desire to be a writer for GQ in the future, and Morgenstein said, “We’re going to start talking to modeling agencies about the possibility of exclusive representation.” Morgenstein also hopes to find more media opportunities for his client, as Jones “loves talking to people.” Morgenstein emphasized that he is looking for clients interested in more than a “one-off, one year relationship,” as well as companies “that see beyond corporate sales.” Morgenstein: “Right now we really wanted to focus on companies that I think have a long-term perspective of how to utilize Cullen.” One company that already has invested in Jones is Nike, which in ’06 signed the Bronx-native to a deal that made him the highest paid sprint freestyler in the world. The chart below lists all of Jones’ endorsement deals.
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PARTNER
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CATEGORY
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SINCE
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Nike
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Training & Casual Wear
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'06
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| Bank of America |
Financial |
'07
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| Toyota |
Automotive |
'07
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| Johnson & Johnson |
Health Care Products |
'08
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GOING ON TOUR: With Monday’s victory, Jones became only the third African-American to medal in an Olympic swimming competition, and following the Games, Morgenstein and Jones will be launching the “Cullen Jones’ Diversity Swim Tour.” The tour will begin with three events in ’08 and will grow to six to ten events in ’09. Morgenstein said since the relay race, Bank of America has provided a "generous grant to seed the [tour] which we hope will turn into a full on sponsorship for 2009 and beyond." Morgenstein stressed that any new sponsors interested in Jones also will back the tour. Morgenstein: “If you are going to invest in Cullen you are going to invest in the program.”
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