I don’t know if you guys know who Joe Mauer is or not but he’s the catcher for the Minnesota Twins and most Minnesotans love and adore him. He was recently given a HUGE contract and it looks like he’ll be with us for the duration of his career. The best part of Mauer is he’s a hometown boy. Born and raised here with a very normal and traditional family. He was also just given a contract for Kemps. Here is the new commercial with Mauer and his mom. It’s just darling.
Then we had this Good Question on the first day this commercial aired. We all know that athletes as well as movie stars and musicians have all endorsed products but does it affect if you’ll buy that product or not? I mean, I’d buy Kemps ice cream with or without Mauer pitching it but that commercial might make a decision for me if I was deciding between a Kemps or non Kemps flavor of ice cream just because I’d think of this and smile.
This goes back a long way as far as athletes are concerned. How far back can you remember athletes pitching something? I guess it works both ways. It could be a liability. You have to be really sure of your celebrity. I’m sure everyone thought Tiger Woods would be a good role model forever but look what happened there. When he fell, he fell big.
So, what’s one of your favorite “star” ads and did it make you buy the product?
Us Girls..Our Views 
I think I’m a little too out of touch to answer this question. When I tried to think of some star commercials, all I could think of at first was one of those woman olympians doing a maxipad ad. (And no, it didn’t inspire me.) Then I thought some more and OJ simpson came to mind with the Hertz commercials. And which football player was it that did the pantyhose? And then there are those Pespi ads with the big guys and the kids . . . . Needless to say, none of those affected my buying decisions. And yes, I am living in the past . . . .
I think I view athlete endorsements – any celebrity endorsements, really – in the reverse of the way they are intended. When I see them endorsing a product, it doesn’t make me want to run out and buy, it makes me think about the athlete/celebrity themselves, and the choices they make. For example… When I’m working out or it’s ridiculously hot out, I stock up on SmartWater, because I hate the sticky-sweetness of all of those flavored sports drinks, but I still get dehydrated easily. I was thrilled when they introduced SmartWater, and have very quickly become a loyal customer. And then Jennifer Aniston started endorsing it, and I thought, “She’s pretty cool… she chose the same thing I did. I knew I liked her for a reason.” Really, I think I’m NOT the target market for those advertisers, because I don’t go rushing out to buy what the celebs are selling. Even when faced with a choice, in the store, staring at the shelf, the person doing the hawking is the FARTHEST thing from my mind at that moment.
I do enjoy when they make fun ads, though. That Kemps ad is a good one. I really liked the “Nuthin’ But Net” ads that Michael Jordan made many years ago, too. Although I lose a little respect for an athlete who does ads for places like McDonald’s… aren’t the athletes supposed to be eating healthy?
Completely different topic… “whiplash”, if you will … Aren’t you a little worried about Mauer now? With the whole Sports Illustrated Cover Curse and everything?
*SH* *SSSSHHHH* I can’t hear you!!!!
😉
I like the athlete endorsements if they’re relevant. Now the Kemps one is good because who doesn’t eat and like ice cream? But for example, when Joe Namath wore the pantyhose, I though WTH?? If they’re far fetched like that I don’t care much for them. I also don’t care “who gets out of what kind of car ads.” But for a guy to see a “superstar” using a certain kind of shave creme, I can see that and they are kind of cute. Those kinds of ads to me feel warm and like they are “normal” and just like us.
Help!! Does this make sense?? I started this at 8 this morning and am multi tasking and doning a horse-shit job of it!!
Joe Mauer could advertise Depends and I’d probably go buy them. J/K!!!! I do love him, yes I LOVE him!!!!! No, athlete endorsements don’t make me buy that product. That commercial is awfully cute though! And I may be swayed to by Kemps, if his face was on the carton! 🙂
I really like Peyton Manning’s Direct TV advertisements. But I have Dish Network so it didn’t sway me….he is rather cute too though!
I don’t think I’ve ever bought a product just because it was endorsed by some athlete (or someone else famous). I can see how some people would be swayed by such advertisements… but not me. I think thats partly because there is no famous person I care that much about.
That’s a cute commercial. I would try Kemps. :+) I could maybe be swayed by a endorsement hate to admit it but it’s probably true. I can’t think of any commercials by sports star’s right now that have swayed me. But if I saw Kemps in our store I may think about it. Who doesn’t like ice cream?
Kemps does make particularly good ice cream. If I recall correctly, they were into the “fun flavors” business LONG before Ben & Jerry were Ben & Jerry. I remember eating Banana Fudge Swirl when we’d go up to the cabin in the North Woods when I was a little girl… and I think that was a Kemps Creation.