The Need For Speed: Ty Lawson Preparing For Marketing Career
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Lawson Being Immersed In Marketing Plans,
Public Image Creation Before NBA Draft |
NBA Draft prospect Ty Lawson is already "being immersed in marketing plans and public image creation" ahead of Thursday's Draft, according to Steve Yanda of the WASHINGTON POST. Lawson "almost certainly will become a first-round draft pick," and regardless of which team selects him, a "campaign designed to boost his fame and prosperity will be set to launch." Three reps from D*mngood, DC, have "crafted three versions of an intro sequence to a Web site that would bear Lawson's name, feature Lawson's merchandise and publish Lawson's blog." Lawson is providing "input on the logo he hopes will become a second form of identity," and he has agreed that "establishing two Facebook accounts -- one for personal use and another to drive traffic to the Web site -- is a good idea." Lawson's agent, Jeff Fried, said, "To a large degree, the marketing activities, the branding, that has all been setup so we're ready to implement immediately upon the selection by the team. We want to have everything pre-set." Fried added that "many of the branding opportunities initially afforded to Lawson will be linked by the player's greatest on-court asset," speed. He said that there are "'different companies in industries connected with speed' that are interested in using Lawson as a pitchman." Fried: "Mobile phones ... with the instant communication. The airline industry is all about getting there quickly. Apparel and shoe companies, as well." Yanda reports while Lawson continues to work on his game, he is also "being groomed to understand the basics of commercial endeavors, from marketing plans to financial projections." Fried works with Peake Management Group, which is "ushering toy-maker Hasbro into the youth golf market," and he wants Lawson to "follow closely the transactions that take place because it will familiarize his client with how such deals transpire and expose Lawson to the senior-level management of Hasbro" (WASHINGTON POST, 6/23).
PICK OF THE LITTER: In Oklahoma City, John Helsley reports endorsement deals for F Blake Griffin, the likely No. 1 pick in the NBA Draft, are "rolling in, with Subway joining EA Sports in signing Griffin to deals." Griffin "will participate in Subway's 'Fresh Fit' meals." He also is "set to grace the cover" of EA Sports' "NCAA Basketball 10," which will be released later this year (DAILY OKLAHOMAN, 6/23).
FOREIGN APPEAL: In N.Y., Keith Kelly reported Lakers G Kobe Bryant is "being wooed by some Asian business executives to be the point man to open up some sponsorship opportunities in China and to be the pitchman for Chinese companies looking to bring their products into the US market." Bryant's No. 24 Lakers jersey is the top-selling uniform in China, and a Bryant spokesperson "admits that the player has nurtured his China connections over the past five years or more, including launching a number of programs centered on promoting basketball in the country." Those efforts include a "hugely popular reality show called 'Kobe Mentu.'" Bryant has also "rolled out a national program to promote China's languages in the US" (N.Y. POST, 6/21).
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