celebrity endorsement deals

Gwyneth Paltrow To Be The New Face of Baume & Mercier

Gwyneth Paltrow is everywhere lately. The actress who is currently promoting her new movie Country Strong and recently appeared on Glee has been tapped as the latest ambassador for Swiss watch brand Baume & Mercier. Unlike past faces of the brand including Teri Hatcher and Meg Ryan, Paltrow is designated as a "friend of the brand" and won't appear in any ad campaigns for the watches. The new gig does mean that Paltrow will fly to Geneva later this month to take part in the SIHH watch fair cocktail party. The appointment of Paltrow appears to be part of a rebranding strategy that involves concentrating on its popular Classima collection, re-launching the Linea and Capeland lines and premiering a new Hampton collection this fall.

Tags: baume and mercier, baume et mercier, baume mercier, BaumeAndMercier, BaumeEtMercier, celebrity endorsement, celebrity endorsement deals, celebrity endorsements, celebrity watch endorsement, Gwyneth Paltrow

Natalie Portman Is The New Face Of Miss Dior Cherie

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

With the release of the critically acclaimed "Black Swan," everyone is having a Natalie Portman moment. The always elegant star will also be the new face of the Miss Dior Cherie campaign. According to People, the print ads were photographed by Tim Walker and will come out next March. Sofia Coppola is shooting the commercials. Portman was recently on hand at the reopening celebration of Dior's 57th Street boutique in New York City and posed with Dior head designer John Galliano. The Miss Dior Cherie fragrance is described as a playful, modern fragrance and has notes of green tangerine, violette, and pink jasmine with strawberry leaves and caramelized popcorn.

Tags: celebrity endorsement, celebrity endorsement deals, celebrity endorsements, miss dior cherie, natalie portman

Rafael Nadal To Strip Down For Armani

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Sports, Men's Style

Ever want to see tennis champ Rafael Nadal in his skivvies? Be patient, your chance is coming. Nadal will step into the Armani briefs amply filled most recently by soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo's. The Spanish player is the next face (and body) of Emporio Armani underwear and Armani Jeans. It's the first time in a while that a tennis player has been chosen. Soccer has ruled lately with first David Beckham, whose sexy billboards caused heads to turn. Shown at right is Nadal shirtless back in November. We have to wonder if a chest wax and a spray tan is in his future.

Tags: Armani Jeans, celebrity endorsement deals, celebrity endorsements, emporio armani, rafael nadal

Sylvester Stallone Inks A Deal With Montegrappa

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Writing Instruments

Sylvester Stallone has been chosen as the brand ambassador for luxury pen manufacturer Montegrappa and has acquired an interest in the brand. Additional terms of the partnership will be kept confidential but the company announced that Stallone will provide creative input regarding new styles of pens to be introduced during 2011. Montegrappa has been around for 99 years with its writing implements used by famed authors, heads of state, royalty and international leaders in politics, business, sports and entertainment. Montegrappa brand ambassadors also include Formula One racing driver, Jean Alesi, and author Paulo Coelho.

Stallone was first introduced to Montegrappa when he chose to ink a major contract with an ultra-rare version of the Montegrappa Gold Dragon Fountain Pen. He chose a solid gold version "artist's proof" of the pen which he eventually used to place his signature on the monumental contract. Giuseppe Aquila, CEO of Montegrappa, commented on the partnership, "I have had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Stallone on many occasions, including the 2009 Venice Film Festival, where Mr. Stallone was recognized for his filmmaking with the Glory To The Filmmaker Award. Sylvester is much more than a friend; he is an icon and an artist and now, an integral part of Montegrappa's distinguished history."

Tags: celebrity endorsement, celebrity endorsement deals, montegrappa, sylvester stallone

Jet Li Signs On As Hublot Watches Ambassador

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

Popular martial arts film star Jet Li has been announced by Swiss Hublot timepieces and their newest brand ambassador. This was during the opening of their new Beijing boutique. Li is the brand's first Asian ambassador, and as I recall the first, or one of the first film star Hublot ambassadors. Jet Li was an accomplished martial arts competitor before beginning his film career. He is of the few of his kind to achieve world-wide notoriety outside of his native China. Hublot will likely offer a Jet Li limited edition timepiece sometime in the near future.

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch reviews site aBlogtoRead.com.

Gallery: Jet Li Hublot Biver

Tags: ambassador, celebrity endorsement, celebrity endorsement deals, celebrity endorsements, celebrity watch endorsement, hublot, jet li, watch, watchspotting

Michael Schumacher & Audemars Piguet Watches Team Up

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches, Sports

Race car driving legend Michael Schumacher requires no introduction. Though if you want to know more about him, you can peruse his victories on his Wikipedia page here. Recently in Dusseldorf, Mr. Schumacher and Swiss watch brand Audemars Piguet announced a new partnership making Michael Schumacher Audemars Piguet's newest race world brand ambassador.

This will mean that in addition to Schumacher going to events with Audemars Piguet, and the two possibly doing charitable work together, Audemars Piguet will likely release a series of limited edition Michael Schumacher limited edition timepieces. It is also often the case that for the term of the sponsorship, Schumacher will only wear Audemars Piguet timepieces.

Audemars Piguet has been working with famous race car drivers for years. Michael Schumacher is likely one of the most high profile (or the most high profile) drivers that the brand has worked with until now. Look for "signs" of their partnership to come out soon - a new watch the celebrate the relationship might be announced as early as next month at SIHH in Geneva.

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch reviews site aBlogtoRead.com.

Gallery: Michael Schumacher Audemars Piguet Watches Team Up

Tags: ambassador, audemars piguet, celebrity endorsement deals, michael schumacher, watch, watches

Jennifer Lopez And Her Children To Front Gucci Campaign

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Jennifer Lopez and her two-year-old twins Max and Emme will be the faces for Gucci's new childrenswear line. WWD reported that the advertisements were shot by photographers Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott in Mailbu, California in July. The advertisements will feature Lopez and her adorable progeny frolicking on the beach wearing Gucci clothes and accessories. Lopez has kept a relatively low profile since the birth of her twins but seems to be resuming her career in a dramatic way this year including her new gig as a judge on American Idol.

As part of the initiative Gucci will also make a donation to UNICEF and the Maribel Foundation - a charity founded by Lopez and her sister, Lynda, which raises money for healthcare for women around the world. Gucci and UNICEF have been partners for six years and Gucci products have raised $7 million for UNICEF thus far.

Tags: celebrity endorsement, celebrity endorsement deals, celebrity endorsements, gucci, jennifer lopez, unicef

Jon Hamm Wears Jeager-LeCoultre Reverso Grande 986 Watch

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

Jon Hamm, best known for his role in "Mad Men," is now working with Swiss luxury wrist watch brand Jaeger-LeCoultre. Hamm recently hosted a large watch event in New York City to help spread the word of Jaeger-LeCoultre's higher-end pieces including its massively complex Hybris Mechanica set (which I wrote about here). For the event, Hamm was wearing a Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Grande 986 watch. Looks good on him. The art deco inspired style isn't quite the 1960s mod look we are used to with him - but Hamm doesn't exactly "live" in the show. Looking good Hamm.

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch reviews site aBlogtoRead.com.

Tags: 986, celebrity endorsement, celebrity endorsement deals, celebrity endorsements, jeager-lecoultre, jlc, joh hamm, reverso, watch, watchspotting, wear

Maria Sharapova Launches The Tag Heuer Formula 1 Steel & Ceramic Watch In Japan

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

The most exciting women's watch from Tag Heuer for 2010 has been the steel & ceramic version of their Formula 1 watch. Eagerly anticipated since its debut at Baselworld 2010, the lovely design mixes sport and elegance in a way that is easy to notice. The watch combines a steel and ceramic for the bezel and bracelet links, is available with both black or white ceramic elements. Because women like diamonds, the watch has a tasteful line of diamonds on the periphery of the bezel. The good looking watch (as I recall) isn't priced too bad at all. In the $2,000 - $3,000 range if memory serves me correct.

In Tokyo recently, Tag Heuer brand ambassador Maria Sharapova showed up to help debut the watch. Tag Heuer is extremely popular in Japan, and famous athletes like tennis player Maria Sharapova has always brought welcome attention to the brand and its products.

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch reviews site aBlogtoRead.com.

Tags: celebrity endorsement, celebrity endorsement deals, celebrity endorsements, ceramic, Formula 1, maria sharapova, Tag Heuer, watch

Shampoo Brand Insures NFL Player Troy Polamalu's Hair For $1 Million

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Sports

You've got to love a public relations stunt when it comes with a photo like this. Head & Shoulders has taken out a $1 million insurance policy on Pittsburgh Steelers safety Troy Polamalu's hair. Polamalu is a second year spokesperson for the brand. With Watkins Syndicate at Lloyd's of London, the world's leading insurance agency, Head & Shoulders created the first ever insurance policy to protect the player's hair for the entire NFL season.

"Head & Shoulders has gone above and beyond this year by insuring my Samoan locks for a cool $1 million. This reinforces that my full and thick hair is unstoppable," said Troy Polamalu in a press release. He has not cut his hair in over seven years. The hair even has its own website, Troyshair.com where fans of both the player and the hair can win prizes including a Super Bowl XLV VIP package.

Tags: celebrity endorsement deals, Head and Shoulders, head shoulders, lloyds of london, troy polamalu

Jersey Shore's Millionaire "Situation"

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

On MTV's "Jersey Shore" there have been a few break-out stars that have been cashing in. Snooki may get the most headlines but ab-flashing Mike "The Situation" Sorrentino is the one cashing in. Leslie Bruce of the Hollywood Reporter adds it all up and finds that the libidinous Lothario is actually a savvy businessman who could rake in as much as $5 million this year. The Hollywood Reporter quotes Sorrentino's manager, Mike Petolino of Gotham Entertainment who says that reality TV star has gotten many endorsement deals, television appearances and other business opportunities. As he puts it: "Our goal has always been to try to build a brand if the situation presented itself."

Sorrentino is earning close to $60,000 an episode for the filming of Season 3 and earns between $15,000-$50,000 for doing appearances. He has created a fitness video, "The Situation Workout" for getting his famous abs and promotes NoX Edge Supplement, a chewable supplement line distributed in association with GNC. And writers, get ready to cringe, he snagged a six figure advance from Gotham Books to pen his autobiography, "Here's the Situation." There's also a new vodka coming out, his rap song, endorsement deals with Vitamin Water and Reebok and he has a clothing line with Dilligaf (the acronym stand for "do I look like I give a ****"). Appearances in movies may not be far behind and the latest rumor has him on the upcoming season of "Dancing With The Stars." He may be easy to poke fun at but it's clear that "The Situation" doesn't care, he's laughing all the way to the bank. Let's just hope he's stashing some of that cash away, reality fame though heady, can be fleeting.

Tags: celebrity endorsement, celebrity endorsement deals, celebrity endorsements, dancing with the stars recap, Dilligaf, jewelry, mike sorrentino, mike the situation sorrentino, nox Edge, the situation

The Fashion Statement: More Celebrity Hookups Good or Bad?

by Kristin Young (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Big Givers, Celebrity Design, The Fashion Statement

Celebrities have no intention of staying away from fashion, even with all the bad press lately (see last season's disastrous Lohan/Ungaro mash up). Last week Madonna teamed up with Iconix Brand Group to produce a tween line inspired by her daughter Lourdes. Early this week, she struck another deal with Dolce & Gabbana to produce a line of eyewear called MDG. Amy Winehouse hooked up with Fred Perry for a line scheduled to hit stores in the fall. And then there is Sarah Jessica Parker and Halston and a myriad of Olympic stars lending their now recognizable names to brands.

Since the days of Jaclyn Smith for Kmart in the '80s and Kathy Lee Gifford for Wal-Mart in the 90s, celebrities have been ubiquitous in the fashion field. It's not hard to guess what their primary motivator is. A brand generally spends loads of money for the privilege of using a household name.

But does it do anything for a brand? Based on some marketing studies I found online, the jury is out on that one. One guy called it the lazy man's brand building. Another said it's very hard for the consumer to keep track of what celebrity is with whom and harder still to trust a brand just from a celebrity endorsement alone. And if a celeb is hooked up with lots of different brands, each individual brand could really suffer.

Tags: amy winehouse, AmyWinehouse, celebrity endorsement, celebrity endorsement deals, celebrity endorsements, Celebrity fashion designers, celebrity fashion lines, Lourdes, Madonna, Tiger Woods, TigerWoods

Continue reading “The Fashion Statement: More Celebrity Hookups Good or Bad?”

Will An Evening With Elway Tempt Colorado Vodka Drinkers?

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Spirits, Sports

Sometimes it seems like everywhere you look there is an ex-football player selling something. Howie Long is pitching cars, Troy Aikman is shilling for rental furniture and former Denver Broncos quarterback John Elway wants you to drink his vodka. Elway had joined the board of Nude Vodka, a Colorado-based company.

As part of his involvement the vodka brand is offering "An Evening with Elway." Each bottle of vodka sold in Colorado has a number on the neck label. Seven numbers will be randomly drawn on April 30, 2010. The holders of those bottle numbers will be invited to meet and spend some time with Elway, a man that Shawn Harlan, CEO and Founder of NUDE Spirits calls "Colorado's living icon." The winners can each bring a guest (both must be 21 or over). Winning numbers will be announced on the Nude vodka website, via Twitter, and FaceBook and winners will be invited to attend a private event with John Elway, have their winning bottle signed by John Elway and grab a quick photo.

Gallery: Celebrity Liquor