Posted on 04/24/2013 4:10:31 PM PDT by nascarnation
Russian-born tennis superstar Maria Sharapova has just inked a three-year deal with Porsche to be its brand ambassador, a position that will put her on a global campaign for the German automaker. The 26-year-old athlete isn't new to the role – she previously signed a similar three-year deal with Land Rover in 2006.
"Maria Sharapova is an exceptional athlete. She combines top performance in her sports with elegance and power. These are precisely the qualities that are embroiled in our sports cars," explained Matthias Mueller, CEO of Porsche AG, during the announcement. "Her profile and charisma are an ideal fit for Porsche. She is also highly respected around the world and enjoys an outstanding reputation," he added.
Some consider Porsche's choice of a female tennis player as its ambassador interesting, if not surprising. The automaker has traditionally marketed its vehicles with a masculine edge – Sharapova and the sport of tennis position the brand in a different light – likely an intentional decision. Do you think Porsche's choice was a good one? If not, who would you choose as its global ambassador?
Two cars,or two girls?
I really don’t pretend to know anything about advertising, but, IMO, for most consumer products, companies wast money by choosing these celebrity spokesmen.
Now, it would be different if this young woman were chosen by a manufacturer of tennis rackets and such, but, really, lovely as she is, is someone really going to buy a Porsche because she is their spokesman?
wast = waste
I think you are right tho I do think a pretty girl can be good.
One of the most famous and probably successful advertising programs was “The Dodge Girl”. They picked a really pretty girl but she was an unknown.
That's because she knows I prefer a woman with a little more "substance."
Come on you marketing curmudgeons; there are Dodge, Ford, Chevy, Jeep, Toyota, Honda, Pontiac, Saturn, etc, girls. Every young man’s dream is to own a sports car and pick up beautiful girls (or have you old guys forgotten already).
In my experience, these deals get done so that the corporate “suits” can hang out with the celeb(s). In this case you can see the attraction....
Don’t remember the Dodge girl. (Then again, I am a woman.)
I suppose having a beautiful woman creates a lot of buzz and makes people — well, men, anyway — look at your product. But, seriously, is someone actually going to plunk down the thousands for this car because the manufacturer presented them the opportunity to ogle a comely lass?
Perhaps such a ploy would work for a pack of gum or for some brand of a product that one buys anyway, but a car?
Yes, even as a woman, I can see the attraction.
And, at least, she looks like a real woman instead of one of those waifs on the runway.
Unfortunately I can't afford either of them.....
At least with the Porsche, you get a 4 year warranty.
Sharapova and Kournikova are 2 different people.
Maria has four majors to her name.
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