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Kellogg dropping Michael Phelps: Smart PR move?
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Kellogg Co. will not be renewing its contract with Michael Phelps, 2008 Olympic phenom, after photos of him smoking marijuana surfaced last week in Britains's News of the World tabloid.
Makes one think of what a convenient exit this is for Kellogg's. Phelp's contract with the brand is undisclosed, but it was up for renegotiation at the end of February. Certainly, they've featured Olympic athletes on their packages of Kellogg's brand cereals before. These include figure skaters Kristi Yamaguchi (1992), Scott Hamilton and Rosalynn Sumner (together, 1984) as well as speed skaters Bonnie Blair (1992 and 1994) and Dan Jansen (1992).
Certainly the only athlete featured more than once on Kellogg's cereal box was Bonnie Blair -- and she was featured in non-consecutive years, 1992 and 1994. Meaning: They likely had no plans to extend Phelp's contract, but dropping him now makes a strong statement to the public about the company's ethics and integrity.
And that's how you win the hearts of corn flake eating citizens across the country--and get a little press to boot!
What do you think? Feel free to drop a line below.
BREAKING NEWS: Apparently Kellogg's claims the timing was coincidental. Sure... then why not report this at month's end?
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