New MK endorsement

[SkateFan4Life]

OK, Michelle is a truly wonderful champion - nine US titles, five World titles, two Olympic medals, and a bevy of other US and World medals - and she's a class act of the first order.

However, she has been MIA pretty much this season. She hasn't competed in Grand Prix or in any of the competitions that really matter. The "Cheesefests" just don't cut it, as far as competitive skating is concerned, IMHO.

I'm concerned that she's been given this contract because of her stellar record, and not of her current competitive situation. She will surely make the US Olympic team, but she could very well leave Torino without a medal.

How thrilled would Coke be if Michelle competes at Tornio and finishes sixth?

 

[mzheng]

How thrilled would Coke be if Michelle competes at Tornio and finishes sixth?

Guess here is what to your answer

"If she wins, terrific, and everybody involved will win," Mr. Prazmark said. "And if she doesn't, there's still a great story because of who she is and how she keeps coming back to try to win the gold medal."

 

[shadymc]

Quote:Injury could be a result of over training or hard working, it also could be the result of not enough motivation.

Since Michelle did 5 triples, including the 3/2/2 throughout the COI tour to stay on top of things, I'm going to guess that it was the over training option.

By the way, I believe Michelle's parents took early retirement many years ago so they could work in the grandparent's restaurant in order to be available to travel with Michelle and Karen. So I presume they may have had some sort of pension. They may have also gotten a cut when the restaurant was sold. So I don't think they are hard up.

 

[mzheng]

Since Michelle did 5 triples, including the 3/2/2 throughout the COI tour to stay on top of things, I'm going to guess that it was the over training option.

.

She did all these jumps throughout the entire tour? I thought it was just in a few of them at the biginning of tour.

 

[Enero]

Guess here is what to your answer...Quote:
"If she wins, terrific, and everybody involved will win," Mr. Prazmark said. "And if she doesn't, there's still a great story because of who she is and how she keeps coming back to try to win the gold medal."

I think that's Coke's rose colored PR speaking. Of course they'd never admit that they'd have egg on their face if Michelle walked away from Turino with nothing. And worse if she's upstaged by another American who actually wins the gold medal.

 

[Mathman]

Nah, if Michelle flubs, all those Kwaniacs will be sitting around eating chicken and drowning their sorrows in Coca-cola. Coke wins either way.

MM

 

[mzheng]

Nah, if Michelle flubs, all those Kwaniacs will be sitting around eating chicken and drowning their sorrows in Coca-cola. Coke wins either way.

MM

 

[chuckm]

Kwan got the endorsement because of all the ladies, when the winner is announced, win or lose, she is the least likely to have a Nancy Kerrigan moment. She is a radiant winner and a gracious loser, so the Coke executives can rest assured she will be a good representative for their product.

Back in 1988, Kat Witt got the Coke endorsement, so Irina Slutskaya may have briefly been considered as the favorite to win the OGM, but then quickly eliminated because of her furious reaction when she lost at SLC.

I think it came down to Cohen and Kwan, and Kwan won because of her longevity in the sport and her recognition factor with the general American public.

 

[mzheng]

Back in 1988, Kat Witt got the Coke endorsement, so Irina Slutskaya may have briefly been considered as the favorite to win the OGM, but then quickly eliminated because of her furious reaction when she lost at SLC.

Did she (Kat) got the Coca endorsement before her win or after her win?

I doubt Irina's name even pop out in their search. For one, FS is not a well known sport. For two, Irina is a Russian with top two US skaters (MK and SC) in pending I doubt they'll even take a look at IS.....besides is Coke sold in McDonald as well? Was there some translated Russian interview, where Irina made not so kind mention to Sarah and American Fast food?

If Sasha wins this Olympics, I expect a lot endorsements going her way. It would not be like 1998 and 2002 Michelle got quite a few endorsements which usually only went to OGMs.

 

[attyfan]

... If Sasha wins this Olympics, I expect a lot endorsements going her way. It would not be like 1998 and 2002 Michelle got quite a few endorsements which usually only went to OGMs.

Why do you expect a big difference between Sasha winning the OGM as opposed to Tara's and Sarah's wins? Tara and Sarah both got several deals; that Michelle also got them didn't detract from the other two. The fact that Michelle got any was a big surprise in '98 because Michelle was neither the OGM nor the highest placing American; it wasn't such a big deal in '02.

I read somewhere that advertisers figure that the public links certain celebreties with certain characteristics, and so, the advertisers choose the celebrities with the characteristics they want associated with the product. So, if the characteristic they want associated with the product is "glamour", an advertiser might choose Sasha, whereas if they wanted "durability", the nod goes to Michelle.

 

[R.D.]

I think you've got it. It depends on the company and what message they'd like to get out using a certain person as a sponsor. If some sponsors want to use Kwan, they could go ahead. She's a good choice. Not to mention she also has that "clean image"- at least for now.