McDonald's signs sponsorship deal with Yao Ming

[Craig]

McDonald's signs sponsorship deal with Yao Ming

www.chinaview.cn 2004-02-13 21:21:50

LOS ANGELES, Feb. 13 (Xinhuanet) -- China's basketball star Yao Ming became the replacer of Los Angeles Lakers' guard Kobe Bryant for endorsement with the McDonald's Restaurants, the fast food company announced on Thursday.

The Houston Rockets center, who was in LA to play in Sunday's NBA All-Star game at Staples Center, had signed a multiyear sponsorship deal with McDonald's, according to an announcement at a McDonald's outlet inside the Los Angeles Convention Center on Thursday.

"Yao has international appeal and also represents the character of our brand," said Larry Light, McDonald's global chief marketingofficer. "He's youthful, dynamic and has a sense of humor. He's also very caring."

"I have always been a big fan of McDonald's ever since the first restaurant opened in China 10 years ago," Yao said.

Yao will be used in McDonald's global marketing campaign, with an emphasis on physical fitness and activity, Olympic initiatives,and support of Ronald McDonald House Charities.

Bryant, who was accused on July 1 of sexually assaulting a 19-year-old hotel employee in Colorado, has lost two of his sponsorship contracts including that with the maker of Nutella chocolate spread, Ferrero U.S.A.. His three-year deal with the McDonald's expired on Dec. 31 and was not renewed.

[TB4000]

He's about to be a free agent this summer too, which he claims is of his own free will, but we all know different. It's cool that Yao is hooking up some endorsement deals, he should have his own EA game or shoe line contract by the end of this year, possibly. Which is not to say I don't support Kobe, now....;)

[yoMAMA]

He's about to be a free agent this summer too, which he claims is of his own free will, but we all know different. It's cool that Yao is hooking up some endorsement deals, he should have his own EA game or shoe line contract by the end of this year, possibly. Which is not to say I don't support Kobe, now....;)


i would think the rockets would pay him the max........

:biggrin:

[bluemonq]

wonder how much PRC's getting from this deal? there was a percentage from an article a while back on ad deals but i can't find it. btw, i find it hilarious for *McD's* having a marketing campaign on *physical fitness*. anyone who saw truth inc.'s "shardsoglass popsicle" ad knows what im talking about.

[pfc beansprout]

i would think the rockets would pay him the max........

:biggrin:
imagine if he signs with a team that has a major metro area (NY, chic, lakers)...think that'll be good for him? mad exposure.....

[Craig]

imagine if he signs with a team that has a major metro area (NY, chic, lakers)...think that'll be good for him? mad exposure.....
Do you consider Houston a small city ?

[pfc beansprout]

^---compared to those 3...i'd say yeah...even if population wise it may have gained...marketablity (word?) of those 3 would most def eclipse houston =o

[Craig]

^---compared to those 3...i'd say yeah...even if population wise it may have gained...marketablity (word?) of those 3 would most def eclipse houston =o
Isn't Houston like the 4th largest city in the USA, with a metro population within the top 10 at worst ? LA apparently isn't the greatest sports mecca if it can't even support an NFL team. Chicago may not be so great because I would suspect that Houston has a larger Asian population (% wise). Also, wouldn't the press and fan loyalties in a place like NY be divided as people are following multiple teams ? Just speculation.

[pfc beansprout]

^---i can buy that...but...marketing athletes...often times the big 3 there get the most exposure even on medicore teams...imagine if mcgrady or vince played in those cities...they'd have more endorsement opps and exposure...in the 90's, clyde drexler was second only to mj...but being in a lesser city (exposure and commericial wise, no offense portlanders), he didn't get much air time.....like..hmmm..an example, u think 'rick fox' would be getting the exposure he's getting if he played for denver? don't get me wrong, he may be a decent baller, being in LA most def has it's advantages in exposure...dont cha think?

[bluemonq]

it would be great if, by some miracle of god, yao ming went to the warriors. big metro area & huge asian popuation. course, he'd hafta get used to losing a lot plus a low salary. oh well...

[yoMAMA]

Isn't Houston like the 4th largest city in the USA, with a metro population within the top 10 at worst ? LA apparently isn't the greatest sports mecca if it can't even support an NFL team. Chicago may not be so great because I would suspect that Houston has a larger Asian population (% wise). Also, wouldn't the press and fan loyalties in a place like NY be divided as people are following multiple teams ? Just speculation.

I think LA is an unique case cauz NFL has tried for years and years to land a franchise in LA, and the response has been apathetic.

"who cares about the NFL?"

we got the lakers!

typical LA response :tongue:

^---i can buy that...but...marketing athletes...often times the big 3 there get the most exposure even on medicore teams...imagine if mcgrady or vince played in those cities...they'd have more endorsement opps and exposure...in the 90's, clyde drexler was second only to mj...but being in a lesser city (exposure and commericial wise, no offense portlanders), he didn't get much air time.....like..hmmm..an example, u think 'rick fox' would be getting the exposure he's getting if he played for denver? don't get me wrong, he may be a decent baller, being in LA most def has it's advantages in exposure...dont cha think?

For sure.

That's why steph marbury has to get out of minnesota...[can't blame him :rolleyes:...with the weather and the fact that KG is the franchise]

and now he's in Neu yaulk........ :biggrin: