Japan-based sporting goods company Mizuno "is looking smart these days, having signed" Mariners RF Ichiro Suzuki as a spokesperson in '95, according to Takato & Whipp of BLOOMBERG NEWS, who noted as Ichiro "comes off a record-setting first year" in MLB, "other companies are clamoring to get on the bandwagon." Mizuno spokesperson Ritsuo Haji said that sales of "Ichiro Model" bats and gloves "have soared." While Mizuno projected sales of $4.7M in Ichiro products this year, Haji said, "We've already changed our forecast to double that amount." Sports Business Group President David Carter called Ichiro "the perfect package — his work ethic and commitment embody what businesses want in a spokesperson." Shinji Nishihiro of Japan-based brokerage firm Nikko Cordial Corp., another company Ichiro endorses: "This is the first time we are using a sports star in our advertising campaign, but we've had a much more positive reaction from our ads with Ichiro. Customers are coming into our branches saying they saw the ad." Ichiro's agent, Tony Attanasio, said Ichiro "has already turned down 'well in excess' of $14[M] in endorsement opportunities. 'For every one we accept, we reject five to eight.'" Takato & Whipp added that in the U.S., Ichiro has deals with golfwear company Cutter & Buck, Oakley, sporting goods company Majestic Athletic and Upper Deck (BLOOMBERG, 10/24).
