Octagon First Call

Like we’ve said before, traditional celebrities (actors, musicians and athletes) are not the only ones who are endorsing products and brands. While the Tiger Woods and Madonna’s of the world can still charge a hefty chunk of change for an endorsement fee, endorsement and PR budgets of companies are falling with the struggling economy. However, the Hank Haney’s (Tiger’s coach) and Tracy Anderson’s (Madonna’s trainer) of the world are more affordable and wield a considerable amount of influence over consumers.

McDonald’s recognized this potential in influencers and made a smart marketing move. Product placement has shown up in dramas and reality TV for a while now. McDonald’s, however, seized the opportunity to use true influencers in their product placement… newscasters. According to the New York Times, the fast food corporation struck a deal with 12 media stations owned by Meredith Corporation. Two cups of McDonald’s iced coffee sit prominently on the Las Vegas FOX affiliate’s morning news desk, displaying the McDonald’s logo for all to see.

Watching the morning news and sipping on a cup of coffee are included in most people’s morning routine. Thus, the marriage between the two seem to blend well together. Moreover, the newscasters are seen as a trusty and reliable source of (impartial) information. Hence, McDonald’s newest spokespeople have a significant amount of influence over their viewers. Considered experts, these influencers have great potential to increase the strength of McDonald’s campaign. And of course, the new delivery method has received considerable media buzz.

 

Stylists and designers are getting more and more corporate gigs; spokesperson work, reality judging and personal appearances. And June Ambrose could be the next big one.

She is a designer and stylist to the stars and is now making her reality show debut on MTV’s Rock the Cradle as the style/image judge. The show features children of nine superstar musicians as they compete against one another to determine who has what it takes to be the next rock star.

She has spent her career styling Kelly Ripa, Mary J Blige, Mariah Carey, Missy Elliott, Diddy, Fantasia and more. A little more than a year ago, she also released a book, Effortless Style. Degree Ultra Clear deodorant used her as a spokesperson around the same time as the release and even sponsored her book release parties in NYC.

Last year, McDonald’s used her a fashion media consultant in the springtime with a new salad they were featuring. She’s been known to fly around the world to style Jay-Z and his “album covers”.

She is intelligent, attractive and bright and we have always wondered when her first real break would come. Maybe this MTV show will put her on the national stage forever…

And let’s not forget she is media friendly. She has already appeared on Regis & Kelly, Oprah, the View, vh1, E!, ABC’s extreme makeover and more.

PS — The nine celebrity offspring featured on Rock the Cradle are Olivia Newton-John’s daughter Chloe Rose Lattanzi ; Kenny Loggins’ son Crosby Loggins; Eddie Money’s daughter Jesse Money; Joe Walsh’s (The Eagles) daughter Lucy Walsh; Al B. Sure’s son Lil Al B Sure; Dee Snider’s (Twisted Sister) son Jesse Blaze Snider; Tom Johnston’s (Doobie Brothers) daughter Lara Johnston; MC Hammer’s daughter Akeiba Burrell Hammer and Bobby Brown’s son Landon Brown. Rock the Cradleis produced by FreemantleMedia North America, with George Moll, David Goffin, and Larry Rudolph serving as executive producers.