Page 10 - 2016 Year In Review

SIMONE BILES, U.S WOMEN'S GYMNASTICS TEAM: Appearing at her
first Olympics at 19 years old, Biles tied the all-time record for most
medals won by an American gymnast at a single Olympic Games. As a
result of her performance, Biles was chosen to be the flag bearer for
Team USA during the 2016 closing ceremonies. In the weeks leading up
to Rio (and during the Games themselves), Biles was heavily featured in
Olympic sponsor advertising for brands like Coca-Cola and Proctor &
Gamble. During the 2012 Summer Olympic Games in London, Gabby
Douglas received similar attention for her success in gymnastics, but
was unable to sustain the same level of success in Rio. However, Biles
Deals: Coca-Cola, Hershey Co. (Reese's), Kellogg's,
is at an earlier stage in her career arch and is expected to be a
Mattress Firm, Nike, Procter & Gamble (Tide),
United Airlines
dominant force heading into Tokyo 2020.

RUSSELL WESTBROOK, POINT GUARD – OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER
(NBA): Russell Westbrook’s personal brand is about more than just
basketball; he has evolved to become a fashion and creativity icon.
AdWeek called the NBA Superstar the “most interesting man in the
league.” Rather than play for Team USA in Rio, Westbrook spent the
summer with fashion buyers in Milan and Paris. His wardrobe choices
before games have become a staple feature in NBA broadcasts, and he
has been affiliated with eight different fashion lines as a designer/
spokesperson. Westbrook brings his creative flair to non-fashion
partnerships as well; he has been a contributor to the creative direction
Deals: EA Sports, Foot Locker, Jordan Brand,
in all marketing he has appeared in for Mountain Dew and Jordan Brand.
Mountain Dew, Subway, BancFirst, Kings and
Jaxs, Ozarka Water, Six Star Pro Nutrition

ELENA DELLE DONNE, CENTRE - CHICAGO SKY (WNBA): Delle Donne has
emerged as one of the faces of the WNBA and has attracted the interest
of leading sports advertisers Gatorade and Nike. Delle Donne started off
2016 featured alongside Nike’s other top basketball endorsers in the
brand’s “Bring Your Game” campaign. She then closed off the year with a
critically acclaimed branded short film by Gatorade that highlighted the
close bond she and her sister who suffers from cerebral palsy share.
Donne was part of a big marketing push for the league’s 20th anniversary
season and won a gold medal in Rio. She is an emerging talent that will
be leveraged to build on the current momentum in women’s basketball.
Deals: Gatorade, Nike

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