Mazda supports Phelps after apology
Thursday, 12th February 2009 ~ Maggie ~ Link ~ Comments (0)
UPDATE: The New York Times reports that Phelps' video was sent to Chinese media outlets by Mazda. Our favorite headline for this one comes from AdAge. Mazda to Phelps: You Apologize to China Right Now!Michael Phelps is taking special care of his image in China, issuing a vague video apology, subtitled in Chinese, for the infamous bong toking photo that landed him, among other places, on the front page of this country's biggest sports newspaper.
It seems likely that this wasn't Phelps' own idea. In January, Mazda signed the swimmer to a seven-figure China deal. DMG, the sports agency that signed him, issued a statement supporting Phelps, shortly after the photo came out, but Mazda waited until after the video was released to state publicly that it would go ahead with the sponsorship deal.
Related: Phelps signs exclusive China deal with Mazda
Tags: DMG Entertainment, Mazda, Michael Phelps, sports marketing