BizJournals Portfolio

The Gold Rush for Endorsements

    

Going for Gold Going for Gold

From NBA stars to gymnastic standouts, a look at who's endorsing what, and for how much. See All Video & Multimedia
LeBron James

Coca-Cola, Lenovo, and Samsung each paid millions to sponsor the Olympic torch—and each is feeling the heat from pro-Tibet groups. Activists confronted Coca-Cola executives on the issue at the company’s shareholder meeting in April. But the protests that disrupted the torch relay and embarrassed China this spring haven’t yet thwarted advertisers. Says Robert Kapp, former head of the U.S.-China Business Council: “Walking away from sponsorship opportunities would entail substantial risks.” Both superstar and niche athletes have so far been spared as targets. Here, a few key players and lucrative deals


blog comments powered by Disqus
Real Business, Real Results

Did anyone at Microsoft ever watch the (gasp!) offensively funny show Family Guy?

Ex-Morgan Stanley exec Zoe Cruz is now heading her own hedge fund. Are Wall Street's leaders done?

Martha, Bernie and Skilling know that what you wear for court can go a long way in public perception.

spotlight on

Health Care

Bad to the Bone No More

Companies such as General Mills say they're stepping up efforts to change employees' bad behavior and promote healthier lifestyles. Read More