Value of Montel ?

[Yogi]

I have joined a company that has Montel Williams as a part owner and spokesperson. Do you see this as a positive or negative? Please take the poll, and add any comments as appropriate.

[Yuliya Mironova]

Never heard of him.

But if he's some kind of "celebrity", then it's very high risk for the company. The media build celebrities up, and knock them down, too, when they feel like it.

We've been very, very cautious about "celebrity endorsements/associations", ourselves. They have to be people whose reason for celebrity has a very close relevance to the company's products, as well, otherwise people see through it, know that it's irrelevant hype, and are unimpressed.

Generally, more potential downside than upside, I'd say.

[TonyRush]

Celebrity endorsements give something for distributors to be excited about. And I don't necessarily think they're a bad thing. I've just never really seen that they have any significant impact on the sales of a company or on the ability of their distributors to find new customers.

As far as Montel himself....he's not exactly an A-list celebrity. People would see him on the ad and recognize him but I don't know that it would make someone take a closer look at whatever he was endorsing.

Tony

P.S. In a slightly different scenario, I think something that probably HAS worked is Herbalife's endorsement of the LA Galaxy soccer team. Having David Beckham running around with Herbalife on his chest has probably done something for the company's brand.

[Yuliya Mironova]

Originally Posted by TonyRush

Having David Beckham running around with Herbalife on his chest has probably done something for the company's brand.

But what has it done for Victoria "Posh Spice"? This is the question!

[DeborahDeGrande]

Montel is doing very well and I'm happy for him. (with his health)
He said he cured his disease with raw juicing etc...
You can see him on the late night infomercials.

As far as having a celebrity it could go either way for the company. If the celebrity ever stops endorsing their products many reps will leave.

I disagree with you Tony on Montel. He is a celebrity AND what he says has a great impact on people because HE lived it himself (advancing disease and turned to natural remedies and raw foods to fix it) so I think he would have quite a pull.

Deb

[Yuliya Mironova]

Originally Posted by DeborahDeGrande

what he says has a great impact on people because HE lived it himself (advancing disease and turned to natural remedies and raw foods to fix it) so I think he would have quite a pull.

Ooh, I see - that's a bit different, then, perhaps, if what he has to say is directly relevant to the company's products. Thanks, Deb.

[DeborahDeGrande]

Originally Posted by Yuliya Mironova

Ooh, I see - that's a bit different, then, perhaps, if what he has to say is directly relevant to the company's products. Thanks, Deb.

Yeah exactly. I forget which company Montel is involved with. I just think that knowing what people know about him, that his advancing MS was taking over his life and he took charge of it "naturally" most people are going to listen to what he has to say.
He has walked the walk I mean so he is sincere and obviously a believer in natural remedies, diet etc...

He is a TV talk show host Yulia. I watched him for years.

I'm just thrilled he is doing well! He was in a lot of pain.

Deb

[Yuliya Mironova]

Yes, I see ... sorry, I should have looked him up on Google before replying in the first place, even with my "general observations"!

[Mike McClurg]

Time will tell Montel's impact

I think it would would be relative to his experience with the product

[cinnabunch]

I think that because of who he is, it has a very positive impact on the company. Montel is a highly respected, and has mostly shown wisdom and intelligence in his behavior and coversations. Plus the fact that he has overcome what he overcame says alot as well. I think that it really depends on the celebrity.