I had this discussion with a friend of mine over the weekend. We both came to the conclusion that enough is not being done by Bolt's handlers to maximise Bolt's achievements and world popularity. The marketing possibilities are endless. He has so many plusses - his name, his affable personality, his youthfullnes etc. I was very disappointed when I heard his manager stating that it's not far-fetched for Bolt to be earning US$10m per annum. Why such a low target? His potential puts him to at least 3 to 5 times that amount.
My friend made a comment that holds some amount of truth. He said that Bolt's handlers are in awe that they are holding the contract to an athlete with such earning potential that they are overawed as to how to maximise it. He compares them to Jeb Clempet (sp) from the old series The Beverley Hillbillies when he found oil on his land.
His manager should be pounding the pavements and should be sitting on the phone trying to speak with the marketing directors of major companies to get them to endorse Bolt. His face should be plastered on billboards worldwide. They missed a major opportunity shortly after the Olympics when Bolt was photgraphedsitting in a Ferrari. He has already gone on record professing his love for BMW. His manager/agent should have been on the phone pitting these two major car companies against each other for his signature. Bolt is synonymous with speed. Puma also needs to step up to the plate. When asked about the increased sale of sneakers since the Olympics, their execs have been very vague even though they admit to the increase. That Puma contract should have or needs to be renegotiated. Do I hear Nike calling? I thought it was a slap to our intelligence as blacks and as a Jamaican when Puma offered Bolt the BMW as a gift. It reminded me of those new hip-hop artistes being offered a big gold chain when they join a "crew" - Rough Riders or Cash Money crews. Wow!!! That's selling ourselves short when we accept these temporary gifts instead of asking for a bigger share in our image rights. This is how the Beckhams, Ronaldos, and the Tiger Woods of sports become wealthy. I just read the Forbes Top Ten earnings of actors. The number one actor for 2008 was Harrison Ford. He gave up a salary for the movie Raiders of the Lost Ark to share in the gross earnings of the film between himself, George Lucas, Steven Speilberg and the movie studio after they had recovered the cost of making the movie. He ended up with US$62m and still counting.
http://www.zlatatretra.cz/video.asp?id=17
http://www.zlatatretra.cz/video.asp?id=18
http://www.zlatatretra.cz/video.asp?id=19
My friend made a comment that holds some amount of truth. He said that Bolt's handlers are in awe that they are holding the contract to an athlete with such earning potential that they are overawed as to how to maximise it. He compares them to Jeb Clempet (sp) from the old series The Beverley Hillbillies when he found oil on his land.
His manager should be pounding the pavements and should be sitting on the phone trying to speak with the marketing directors of major companies to get them to endorse Bolt. His face should be plastered on billboards worldwide. They missed a major opportunity shortly after the Olympics when Bolt was photgraphedsitting in a Ferrari. He has already gone on record professing his love for BMW. His manager/agent should have been on the phone pitting these two major car companies against each other for his signature. Bolt is synonymous with speed. Puma also needs to step up to the plate. When asked about the increased sale of sneakers since the Olympics, their execs have been very vague even though they admit to the increase. That Puma contract should have or needs to be renegotiated. Do I hear Nike calling? I thought it was a slap to our intelligence as blacks and as a Jamaican when Puma offered Bolt the BMW as a gift. It reminded me of those new hip-hop artistes being offered a big gold chain when they join a "crew" - Rough Riders or Cash Money crews. Wow!!! That's selling ourselves short when we accept these temporary gifts instead of asking for a bigger share in our image rights. This is how the Beckhams, Ronaldos, and the Tiger Woods of sports become wealthy. I just read the Forbes Top Ten earnings of actors. The number one actor for 2008 was Harrison Ford. He gave up a salary for the movie Raiders of the Lost Ark to share in the gross earnings of the film between himself, George Lucas, Steven Speilberg and the movie studio after they had recovered the cost of making the movie. He ended up with US$62m and still counting.
http://www.zlatatretra.cz/video.asp?id=17
http://www.zlatatretra.cz/video.asp?id=18
http://www.zlatatretra.cz/video.asp?id=19
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