Which U.S. skaters have (or had) endorsement deals & public service campaigns?

U.S. skaters: endorsement deals, public service campaigns, Olympic promos, etc.

This topic was originally brought up in the "Any Sasha updates?" thread and the reason I'm asking is because Silk Soymilk was the title sponsor of Disson Skating's "Skate For the Heart" show (taped on Sept. 19 and to be aired on NBC on January 31, 2010) and, as a result, many of the U.S .skaters in the show (Belbin and Agosto, Czisny, Abbott, Zhang) did some promos for Silk -- you see them in the "Behind the Scenes" video linked at: http://www.youtube.com/user/TheSilkChannel#p/u

These types of promos (including Sasha Cohen's Silk "smoothie" video) may not be paid endorsements and so I'd like to distinguish between the unpaid and paid endorsement deals (Meissner's local Maryland TV commercial for Subway, her appearance in the 2008 Super Bowl TV commercial and nationwide print ads for Under Armour).

I know several top US skaters endorse skating equipment and clothing and/or are involved in (unpaid) public service campaigns... maybe we can compile a list of known commercial products and public service organizations?

Sylvia said:

This topic was originally brought up in the "Any Sasha updates?" thread and the reason I'm asking is because Silk Soymilk was the title sponsor of Disson Skating's "Skate For the Heart" show (taped on Sept. 19 and to be aired on NBC on January 31, 2010) and, as a result, many of the U.S .skaters in the show (Belbin and Agosto, Czisny, Abbott, Zhang) did some promos for Silk -- you see them in the "Behind the Scenes" video linked at: http://www.youtube.com/user/TheSilkChannel#p/u

These types of promos (including Sasha Cohen's Silk "smoothie" video) may not be paid endorsements and so I'd like to distinguish between the unpaid and paid endorsement deals (Meissner's local Maryland TV commercial for Subway, her appearance in the 2008 Super Bowl TV commercial and nationwide print ads for Under Armour).

I know several top US skaters endorse skating equipment and clothing and/or are involved in (unpaid) public service campaigns... maybe we can compile a list of known commercial products and public service organizations?

Click to expand...

Here is a new NBC Olympic commercial featuring B/A.

Not sure if this is what you want, or for that matter if you are interested in print ads.

I mention this B/A commercial because I am not sure if they get paid for it by NBC or if it is part of their requirements to US Skating to be available for promo ads like this.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-n6NHXrgnY

ETA: Thanks for the Silk link. It was nice seeing Caroline, Alissa, Jeremy and B/A.

I didn't include plan to include NBC Olympic promos in this thread because I assume the U.S. skaters are not paid for these (can anyone confirm?), but thanks for the link to B/A's which I hadn't seen yet.

Here's the link to the 2008 Superbowl commercial with a brief glimpse of Meissner at :23: http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x49kcc_under-armour-super-bowl-ad_ads

I once saw a full-page print ad of Meissner for Under Armour in People magazine in February or March 2008 but I don't know if it's scanned online anywhere.

Meissner's Subway commercial (I think this only aired locally in/around Maryland and not nationwide? Her "Eat Fresh!" is cut off at the end): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q8mto3jbSh4
Subway's Jared Reaches 10 Year Milestone in which Meissner also appears: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DATdzLbwWIE

Riedell Skates -- see print advertisements by Jeremy Abbott, Rachael Flatt, and Johnny Weir at: http://www.ice.riedellskates.com/Content.aspx?PageName=Downloads

Alissa Czisny is featured in a full-page ad for Sporture on the back inside cover of USFS' SKATING magazine (November 2009 issue) -- it's a different dress than the one she's wearing here: http://www.sporture.com/Testimonials.aspx
("Agnes" is Agnes Zawadzki who will be competing in the Junior Ladies event at 2010 US Nationals.)

Here is the unbelievable Dorothy Hamill Doll commercial.

Yes, she was that BIG - an absolute Ice Queen and America's Sweetheart.....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I2zGcb1DeD4

And here is Dorothy and hockey player Mike Eruzione in an Amoco commercial

This was 10 years after Dorothy won the OGM so she is about 29 in the commercial. Mike was the Captain of the 1980 USA Gold medal winning hockey team.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tp55Tqxvopo

And let's not forget Caroline's Purell Hand Sanitizer ad.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4006/4202300598_5f0ebc037a_o.jpg

OK, I'm kidding.

But the Silk commercial must have been paid. I don't think all those skaters drink it, and I don't think they would all do a commercial like that for free.

PolymerBob said:

And let's not forget Caroline's Purell Hand Sanitizer ad.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4006/4202300598_5f0ebc037a_o.jpg

OK, I'm kidding.

But the Silk commercial must have been paid. I don't think all those skaters drink it, and I don't think they would all do a commercial like that for free.

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I don't know - it could be part of the deal - for being paid to appear at the show, Maybe they had to do the commercial as part of their contractual obligation.

That's why I wondered about NBC Promos too - do B/A get paid for that or is it part of a media day type of repsonsibilty for US Skating /NBC.

Here is Scott Hamilton in a public service announcement/commercial for
"The Foundation of Exceptional Children."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p2A2o_LW1k8

Here is Scott for Target:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fh0hq7Dtajw


ETA: Here is Janet Lynn for Kodak:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5O-tMB7CBcE

Nadine said:

I looooooooove the one with Michelle Kwan! Lol, I actually made that salad to see how it would taste.

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Kwan's Kraft salad dressing commercial: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U1Q9ui2sg-8

Sasha Cohen's Citizen watch commerical: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Cyoke3lWpo

Evan Lysacek is officially working with Coca-Cola, Ralph Lauren, AT&T and Total Gym for paid endorsements. He is also a supporter of Ronald McDonald House Charaties, Make-A-Wish Foundation, Figure Skating in Harlem, Special Olympics, P.S. Arts Foundation, Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation and Dana Farber Cancer Institute and the Jimmy Fund (information on all of these is at http://www.figureskatersonline.com/evanlysacek/causes.html).

Rachael Flatt has deals with AT&T and MAC Cosmetics. She's an official spokesperson for Reading is Fundamental and an Athlete Ambassador for the U.S. Olympic Committee's Team for Tomorrow Humanitarian Relief Fund and also works with Figure Skating in Harlem, Skate for Hope, American Association of Orthodontists and Blades for the Cure (information on most of these is at http://www.figureskatersonline.com/rachaelflatt/causes.html).

Keauna McLaughlin and Rockne Brubaker have an endorsement deal with Coca-Cola.

Caydee Denney and Jeremy Barrett have a United Way commercial.

Tanith Belbin and Ben Agosto have endrosement deals with Coca-Cola, DeBeers, Ralph Lauren and P&G. Their charities include Figure Skating in Harlem (more are listed at http://tanithandben.com/charities.html).

Nicole Bobek, Michelle Kwan, Tara Lapinksi

Campbell Soup Commercial 1998. I remember it was about the time when people where trying to hype-up the possible 1-2-3 finish at the Nagano Olympics for the U.S. Laides.
....well we got the 1-2 at least.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eCLrODjte3k

I thought it was a cute commercial though.

I have a few saved of Michelle from print ads:
Yoplait
http://www.heatherw.com/mk/endorse/pics/yoplaitad02.jpg
Caress;
http://heatherw.com/mk/endorse/pics/caress1.JPG
Got Milk:
http://heatherw.com/mk/endorse/pics/gotmilk.jpg
Coke:
http://heatherw.com/mk/endorse/pics/cokead.jpg
From Chevy:
http://heatherw.com/mk/endorse/pics/chevyad_nat01.jpg
http://heatherw.com/mk/endorse/pics/chevyad_worlds.jpg
http://heatherw.com/mk/endorse/pics/chevyad_world01.jpg
http://heatherw.com/mk/endorse/pics/chevy_nat02ad.jpg
Billboard from East-West Bank:
http://img30.echo.cx/img30/7183/canonpictures1325gd.jpg
East-West Bank (Chinese paper)
http://heatherw.com/mk/endorse/pics/eastwestad_sm.jpg
Purina:
http://heatherw.com/mk/endorse/pics/DogCalendar.jpg


Kwan-Lipinski-Bobek: Campbell's Soup commercial:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eCLrODjte3k

Michelle's Kraft commercial:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U1Q9...A0419C58&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=39

Michelle and Kristi on NHL coolshots-the making of the commercial:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKemuSYpkvM

Sasha:
Simply Saline:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=32x6OeZIo54
Got Milk:
http://www.sashacohen.com/photos/sashamilk.jpg
Citizen Watch:
http://www.klotzwatches.net/images/citizen_eco-drive_3_copy.jpg

Tara:
Office Depot (w/Sasha)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u2byiuM_LqA&NR=1
Snapple:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cikYO372FzY
Nike:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TviFWKgSvtg
LA Dodgers billboard:
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ki5EPOdCHyM/SlQM3pTpsZI/AAAAAAAAD0Y/fywI6Ep7ySI/s400/lipinski1.jpg

Lol, I love this thread, brings back memories.

Been racking my brain, and the following are the only ones I can recall (thus far):

Dorothy Hamill -- omg, the memories from my childhood, she did a commercial for I think it was "Short & Sassy" or "Prell" Shampoo? I just remember not only had I had to have her haircut, but also the shampoo she used in those commercials (lol, I was even willing to give up my "No More Tears" Johnson's shampoo). Lol, and the doll, of course.

***Note: Dorothy is ageless. I think she looks better now than she did at 18, and that's the truth. Oops, I also recall she did a commercial a while back for arthritis, which is the downside for most elite gymnasts & skaters when they get older.***

Katarina Witt -- wow, what can I say, Katarina's popularity was comparable to that of Tiger Woods, the William Sisters, the big shots, and that's the truth, she was a WORLDWIDE celebrity! So many endorsements, but the one I recall the most was her Coca Cola commercial, where she was dressed in her trademark red. I remember the big thing back then was how much she looked like Brooke Shields, which I'm 110% sure is why she was so popular worldwide, she transcended sport in the same way that Anna Kournikova did, as well as Sonja Henie. By the way, I actually enjoyed her role in that one movie with Robert De Niro. IMHO nobody has come close to that type of celebrity yet in figure skating, nobody.

Tonya Harding -- she did some commercial that I cannot recall at the moment, but what I remember the most was that she actually landed a QUAD in said commercial!

Michelle Kwan -- love love love her Kraft commercial from several years back, wherein she is wearing pink bunny slippers, tube socks, shorts, tank top or sweat jacket?, and comes sliding into her kitchen executing a swift scratch spin & then proceeds to make herself a delicious salad with blackberries. Mmmm.

Tara Lipinski -- I recall the one wherein she is sitting in a rocking chair knitting, what was it about? insurance commercial????

Kristi Yamaguchi -- ah, I remember her contact commercial both on t.v. & in print ad. That's the time I tried some colored contacts as well, lol!

Sasha Cohen -- I remember her nasal allergy commercial, but more than all else I recall her watch commercial -- her gorgeous face was literally ALL OVER the magazines, especially PEOPLE magazine!

EDITED TO ADD SARAH HUGHES -- lol, I still have my Wheaties box safely secured in my figure skating scrapbook.

FSOWebmaster said:

Evan Lysacek is officially working with Coca-Cola,
...
Keauna McLaughlin and Rockne Brubaker have an endorsement deal with Coca-Cola.

Click to expand...

Thanks for your info! These 3 skaters make up half of Coca-Cola's "Six Pack Olympic Athletes" for the 2010 Winter Olympics: http://www.livepositively.com/six_pack_athletes
Look for their images to be on "commemorative Olympic packaging featuring collectible 12 ounce can graphics" and they will be featured in "a series of athlete webisodes, which will begin in December on TeamUSA.org ... [that] will chronicle the experience of Making Team USA ... [for Olympic hopefuls]."

Here is Peggy Fleming back in 1981 for Trident gum.

A very silly commercial - but nothing new about that :yes:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zF_f...5E0E0525&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=72

Sylvia said:

Thanks for your info! These 3 skaters make up half of Coca-Cola's "Six Pack Olympic Athletes" for the 2010 Winter Olympics: http://www.livepositively.com/six_pack_athletes
Look for their images to be on "commemorative Olympic packaging featuring collectible 12 ounce can graphics" and they will be featured in "a series of athlete webisodes, which will begin in December on TeamUSA.org ... [that] will chronicle the experience of Making Team USA ... [for Olympic hopefuls]."

Click to expand...

I was wondering about some of these as I have never seen Evan in a commercial or POP display ad in a store. Same with Rachael - never seen or heard anything about her anywhere except when watching skating.

I remember Dorothy did many commercials - more than any US skater I can recall that were broadcast in primetime for shampoo and cosmetics but I haven't come across any of them on YouTube.

Nadine mentioned Sarah and wheaties - I was wondering how many skaters have been on the "wheaties box" ?

ETA: Sarah is the only figure skater to make the wheaties box.
From short track Apollo made it and from speed skating, Eric Heiden

FSOWebmaster said:

Tanith Belbin and Ben Agosto have endrosement deals with Coca-Cola, DeBeers, Ralph Lauren and P&G. Their charities include Figure Skating in Harlem (more are listed at http://tanithandben.com/charities.html).

Click to expand...

When did B/A seal the deal with Coca-Cola? They seem to get the most media exposure and endorsements among all of the American skaters nowadays, good for them! The only thing that frustrated me a bit is that the cameraman always kept shooting at Tanith and kept ignoring Ben. And during the interviews, Tanith answered most of the questions while Ben was sort of left out again.

Does Sasha still have any sponsor?

ae9177 said:

When did B/A seal the deal with Coca-Cola?

Click to expand...

You're right! My silly mistake - copy and pasted! They do not have an endorsement deal with Coca-Cola (Evan and Keauna/Rockne do) but everything else listed should still be current, especially Ralph Lauren, P&G and DeBeers.

ae9177 said:

Does Sasha still have any sponsor?

Click to expand...

Sasha has a current endorsement deal with Pepto-Bismol: http://www.teamusa.org/news/2009/11...-2010-olympic-winter-games-in-vancouver/29128

Thanks a lot! Since B/A shot a secret commercial recently, I thought they were added into the Coke campain.

Can't wait to see Evan and M/B on Coca-Cola 's 6-pack!