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Cullen Jones Eyes Modeling Work, Additional Deals

Cullen Jones

U.S. swimmer Cullen Jones won gold Monday in his only event of the Beijing Games, swimming the third leg in the United States’ come-from-behind victory in the 400-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.

“We’re going to start talking to modeling agencies about the possibility of exclusive representation,” Morgenstein said, who 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.”

“Right now we really wanted to focus on companies that I think have a long-term perspective of how to utilize Cullen," he said.

One company that already has invested in Jones is Nike, which in 2006 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.

PARTNER
CATEGORY
SINCE
Nike
Training & Casual Wear
2006
Bank of America Financial
2007
Toyota Automotive
2007
Johnson & Johnson Health Care Products
2008

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 2008 and will grow to six to 10 events in 2009. 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.

"If you are going to invest in Cullen, you are going to invest in the program," he said.

Posted by: William Cooper / August 13, 2008 / 6:32 PM / Print Article

Comments

  • Is the tour the reason why Cullen has been a no show at the rest of the swim competition? Also, is Cullen the only competitior to leave the games after completing his part of the race?

    Posted by: Sharon Gray / August 18, 2008 / 9:11 AM

Medal Stand



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