Gold Medal-winning sprinter Usain Bolt has become the official brand ambassador for e-scooter company Bolt Mobility and was in N.Y. this week "to urge lawmakers to make electrical scooters legal in the city," according to CNBC's Wilfred Frost. Bolt said it was an "easy choice" to partner with the company, largely because of the name. He said electric scooters are "definitely a way to get to where you want to get to efficiently and safer" in N.Y. among the traffic. Bolt Mobility co-CEO & co-Founder Sarah Haynes said the scooters are a "transportation solution for all areas." She added it is "not a matter of when these will be (implemented), it's just how, and we want to do it safely and partner with communities" ("Closing Bell," CNBC, 3/14). In N.Y., Jillian Jorgensen noted Bolt Mobility is "one company in a crowded marketplace of dockless electric scooters hoping that New York will legalize the use of the technology." The company "sought to set itself apart not just with its celebrity spokesman" in Bolt, but by saying it was "built specifically" for N.Y. Bolt Mobility Head of Operations Will Nicholas "would not say how much the company was paying Bolt" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 3/13).
POST-CAREER MOVES: In Jamaica, Alexis Monteith wrote news of Bolt's partnership with Bolt Mobility "follows closely on the heels of Bolt's joint venture with GH Mumm which saw him launch his new signature champagne." After retiring from track and field in '17, Bolt has "shifted his full attention to business initiatives" that also include a deal with Hublot (JAMAICA OBSERVER, 3/13). Bolt's most recognizable endorsement is with Puma, and he said despite efforts by rival shoe companies to sign him, he remained loyal to Puma because it "became a family" to him. He added being "with somebody for so long it's never all about money for me." Bolt: "It was just about knowing these guys and being happy and comfortable ... I try to work with all my sponsors that closely so we can build a proper relationship" ("Closing Bell," CNBC, 3/14).
