Sharapova Is In Sochi For The Olympics and Porsche and Celcom

Written by: Bob Larson Tennis on 6th February 2014

Sharapova Is In Sochi For The Olympics and Porsche and Celcom

epa04031785 Maria Sharapova of Russia attends a press conference after losing against Dominika Cibulkova of Slovakia in her fourth round match at the Australian Open Grand Slam tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, 20 January 2014. EPA/FRANCK ROBICHON |

Tennis marketing icon Maria Sharapova is not one to let any promotional opportunity slip away as the tennis queen squeezes in personal sponsor duties prior to starting work for television as a color commentator for NBC at the Sochi Olympics.

The WTA No. 5 has already done a job for car maker Porsche, for whom she serves as a global brand representative.

The player, a former Sochi resident before upping stakes as a child with her dad (leaving her mom in Russia) to head to the tennis promised land of Nick Bollettieri in Bradenton, Florida, made a well-received appearance to promote the “Panamera GTS by Maria Sharapova,” a new mini-SUV tricked out exactly to her specifications.

In addition, Sharapova’s bulging endorsement portfolio just got slightly larger as Malaysia’s Celcom Axiata Berhad mobile operator signed her as their brand ambassador for the Celcom First Elite Programme, a new priority services plan.

The prepaid new product is targeted at “high-value” consumers in the prosperous Southeast Asian nation, with the operator characterising Sharapova as “truly embodying the stylish, modern, elegant and sophisticated persona of Celcom First Elite. These characteristics fit perfectly with the plan’s aim of providing high value customers an access to exclusive lifestyle experiences and top class customer service.”

The flowery language cannot hide the fact that Sharapova, top earner in all of women’s sport, does not come cheaply. But telephone executives are happy to pay the tariff. “Maria Sharapova’s powerful character, perseverance and remarkable performance on the court epitomise Celcom’s aim to become a brand that continues to strive relentlessly in offering cutting edge innovation and solutions to our customers,” cooed a company marketing official.

“Sharapova is a highly respected personality worldwide and is synonymous with grace, beauty, class and charisma. Her appointment as the icon of Celcom First Elite not only represents its aim to be a leading priority services plan much sought after by many but also resonates with Celcom customers who value her resilience, sense of style and alluring elegance.”

The injection of Sharapova into the Malaysian firm’s mix will at the least raise the profile of the company worldwide, obviously the object of the game.

Topics: 10sballs, Maria Sharapova, Sochi Olympics, Sports, Tennis, Tennis News, Wta

Follow 10SBALLS.COM on:

Facebook:

Twitter:

CHGAUTIER says:

February 6, 2014 at 8:47 am

RT @PorscheCarsNews: Sharapova Is In Sochi For The Olympics and Porsche and Celcom. http://t.co/uGX13LeSYl
panamera_tweets says:

February 6, 2014 at 8:52 am

RT @PorscheCarsNews: Sharapova Is In Sochi For The Olympics and Porsche and Celcom. http://t.co/uGX13LeSYl
PorscheSanAngel says:

February 6, 2014 at 10:18 am

RT @PorscheCarsNews: Sharapova Is In Sochi For The Olympics and Porsche and Celcom. http://t.co/uGX13LeSYl