Will Phillies’ Ryan Howard strike sports marketing gold?
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Bay Area advertising executive Bob Dorfman reports in after each big sporting event with suggestions -- some of them decidedly tongue-in-cheek -- on which athletes might strike sports marketing gold.
Here are a few of his ideas in the wake of the Phillies’ World Series win over the Tampa Bay Rays:
Ryan Howard: Stands to benefit the most from his first ring. The NL MVP in 2006, he delivers awesome slugging power at the plate, and impressive selling power on camera. Still under 30, his endorsement resume includes national TV spots for Subway, Powerade and adidas, plus cover-boy roles for Topps baseball cards and Sony’s MLB ’08 The Show videogame. Articulate, charismatic and smooth on camera, Howard could pitch any powerful product—from trucks to power tools, PCs to smart phones. And his impressive nose might work well in a Kleenex or cold remedy demo. Evan Longoria: Evan hit more like Eva in the Series. But the AL Rookie of the Year favorite is only 23, has an unforgettable name and superstar potential. Sign him now for the long haul. And definitely team Evan up with Eva in a Visa or American Express spot on the dangers of identity theft. Cole Hamels: MVP of both the World Series and NLCS, Cole exudes cool. And his stellar performance could earn him significant post-Series exposure. Good looking, articulate and only 24, he has enormous potential as a pitcher and pitchman. Hamels epitomizes the healthy SoCal lifestyle -- he practices yoga, drinks green tea for energy, and convinced Phillies’ management to hire a full-time masseuse. Wife Heidi -- a former ‘Survivor: The Amazon’ star and Playboy cover model -- adds to the package. Hamels once slept so well in a Phillies’ hotel room, he bought the bed. Now that’s the kind of product loyalty you hope for from an endorser.
-- Greg Johnson