Endorsement Lunacy! Michael Phelps expected to receive $100 Million in endorsements

dude

I have nothing against Michael Phelps personally, but I just read that he's estimated to receive at least $100 Million in endorsements from Visa, Speedo, AT&T, Omega, Kellogg's, Pure Sport, Rosetta Stone and five other companies in the next 6 months.

Do consumers really think these products and services are better than anyone else's because of this guy?

For me it has the opposite effect. It adds no value to the product and in the end, its the buyer who pays for these endorsements, which in the final analysis steers me away from buying these products or services.

larryallen73

Apparently a few people buy products based on what athletes endorse. Not saying it's right or wrong but it's pretty clear that's the case. Semi-related to this point, my 5 year old bragged last week, after swim practice, that he swam like Michael Phelps that day!

Barndog

another "Be Like Mike" campaign coming!

LOTS of people buy Nike golf equipment, clothing, and other accessories because of Tiger Woods. That's just the way it is, for good or otherwise.

WinPitcher

God Bless him. All his hard work is now paying off.


Steve

WinPitcher

......And he does not choke in the clutch.


Steve

Connecticoin

And when he goes out partying, he will have plenty of cash to hire a limo.

stevek

He's hosting Saturday Night Live this week.

stevek

Him making 100 mil doesn't bother me. Look at the two bit actors they pay 20 mil to star in some dimwit movie.

Barndog

<< <i>Him making 100 mil doesn't bother me. Look at the two bit actors they pay 20 mil to star in some dimwit movie. >>



Tom Cruise

TheVon

Endoresments are funny things. I can say with a straight face that I've never purchased anything because someone I liked endorsed it . . . but it must work on some level, right? It makes me wonder if it affects us in ways we don't even know? For instance, I haven't purchased a Buick , but maybe in the back of my mind it's not as lame a car as I used to think it was because Tiger drives them now. So 15 years from now, maybe they make one that looks good and I decide to buy it all because Tiger made it "not lame".

Peyton Manning didn't need to sell me on Double-Stuft Oreo cookies though. Those babies sell themselves. Mmmm, mmmm, good.

stevek

<< <i>

<< <i>Him making 100 mil doesn't bother me. Look at the two bit actors they pay 20 mil to star in some dimwit movie. >>



Tom Cruise >>



I was thinking Jim Carrey - he stopped being "funny" years ago if he ever really was.

SanctionII

I also have never bought a product or service simply because an athlete, actor, politcian or other "public figure" endorsed it. As said though, it must work for the company paying the pitchman. Pretty sad, when you think of it, that some people make their decisions [what car to buy, etc.] based upon what a "star" says.

Good for Phelps though. Hard work does pay off and in free market capitalism, everyone who choses to wrok hard can get ahead.

I wonder to what degree the public attention being paid to Phelps has increased since he won 8 gold medals? Double or triple or more?

I bet he jumped up in the ranking of America's "Most Eligible Bachelor" and that women are clamoring to just have a chance to be in the same room with Phelps, hoping that he might notice them and take an interest.

interchanges

<< <i>< Him making 100 mil doesn't bother me. Look at the two bit actors they pay 20 mil to star in some dimwit movie. >> >>



I was thinking Kevin Costner. He always sounds like he's reading the script for the first time.

Jim Rome might say - "Kato Kaelin thinks Costner can't act!"

VitoCo1972

<< <i>Him making 100 mil doesn't bother me. Look at the two bit actors they pay 20 mil to star in some dimwit movie. >>



Just to defend the movie industry a bit - they only get paid that money because people go to the theaters to see these people. You should be mad at your neighbors, not Hollywood.

dude

<<I also have never bought a product or service simply because an athlete, actor, politcian or other "public figure" endorsed it. As said though, it must work for the company paying the pitchman. Pretty sad, when you think of it, that some people make their decisions [what car to buy, etc.] based upon what a "star" says.>>

My thoughts exactly!

What even adds to the foolishness in my opinion is a rapidly growing amount of people including myself are almost exclusive DVR-users (record all the TV shows and sporting events we has any interest in and watch it later and skip all the commercials). I think last year's Super Bowl was the last TV event I've seen real-time. I can watch a pro football game in about 1 hour and 20 minutes. DVRs rock!

MPeter

MONEY MONEY MONEY!!!

WHAT......nobody bought a George Foreman grill, because of George Foreman? I know someone out there bought some OxyClean, because Billy Mays told them about it. He's a man you can trust!

What about the Air Jordan's, Jim Palmer's Jockey underwear, Pepsi from Mean Joe Greene????

I think the worst example of all is Oprah. How many fools went out and bought books, because Oprah was reading them?!! haha

ctsoxfan

<< <i>He's hosting Saturday Night Live this week. >>



This makes absolutely no sense to me. Zero. At least Peyton Manning is an established athlete with time in front of the camera (he was decent on the show, as was Lebron James) - but this Phelps guy? Really?

stevek

<< <i>

<< <i>He's hosting Saturday Night Live this week. >>



This makes absolutely no sense to me. Zero. At least Peyton Manning is an established athlete with time in front of the camera (he was decent on the show, as was Lebron James) - but this Phelps guy? Really? >>



I'm not sure how Phelps will do but i'm sure they'll write the script so that it works for him.

I thought Peyton did a pretty dam good job when he was on SNL.

i don't ever watch SNL anymore except when they have somebody on like Peyton Manning.

Barndog

<< <i>

<< <i>He's hosting Saturday Night Live this week. >>



This makes absolutely no sense to me. Zero. At least Peyton Manning is an established athlete with time in front of the camera (he was decent on the show, as was Lebron James) - but this Phelps guy? Really? >>



SNL has sucked for a long, long time. Who really cares?

TheVon

<< <i>MONEY MONEY MONEY!!!

WHAT......nobody bought a George Foreman grill, because of George Foreman? I know someone out there bought some OxyClean, because Billy Mays told them about it. He's a man you can trust!

What about the Air Jordan's, Jim Palmer's Jockey underwear, Pepsi from Mean Joe Greene????

I think the worst example of all is Oprah. How many fools went out and bought books, because Oprah was reading them?!! haha >>



I've never seen Oprah do a commericial . . . but anything that gets her seal of approval is pure GOLD. Her book club selections make authors rich, her human interest stories make small businesses huge, and her "favorite things" episodes where she gives stuff away probably makes the quarter (if not the year) for every manufacturer of every product she gives away. Oprah truly is the Queen of Endorsements.

Estil

All those endorsments and he doesn't get to be on Wheaties like Bruce Jenner and Mary Lou Retton? Weak...

Blackborder

<< <i>God Bless him. All his hard work is now paying off. >>




ditto

mickeymantle24

<< <i>

<< <i>MONEY MONEY MONEY!!!

WHAT......nobody bought a George Foreman grill, because of George Foreman? I know someone out there bought some OxyClean, because Billy Mays told them about it. He's a man you can trust!

What about the Air Jordan's, Jim Palmer's Jockey underwear, Pepsi from Mean Joe Greene????

I think the worst example of all is Oprah. How many fools went out and bought books, because Oprah was reading them?!! haha >>



I've never seen Oprah do a commericial . . . but anything that gets her seal of approval is pure GOLD. Her book club selections make authors rich, her human interest stories make small businesses huge, and her "favorite things" episodes where she gives stuff away probably makes the quarter (if not the year) for every manufacturer of every product she gives away. Oprah truly is the Queen of Endorsements. >>

WinPitcher

He is also hosting SNL tonight.


Guy certainly is making the rounds..



Steve

Estil

I still don't think it's the same w/o the Wheaties box. Seriously, who cares if you're on Frosted Flakes?