Hollywood’s massive paychecks from movies and television are no secret. That being said, for many celebrities, advertisements and endorsements have been the bigger source of income. From food and beverages to sports and lifestyle products, brands hire celebrities as ambassadors. These partnerships are a two-way street – celebrities continue to earn whopping sums of money while brands get to build new connections, enhance their customer base, and expand to new markets.
Lionel Messi x adidas
One of the biggest names in soccer, Lionel Messi, has been an ambassador for adidas both on and off the field. Recognizing his greatness and fame, the brand signed a huge $1 billion lifetime deal with him back in 2016. As if that was not enough, he also retains a portion of the sales from Messi-branded merchandise purchased from the brand, such as shoes, clothing, and accessories, which amounts to around $19.2 million annually.
George Foreman x Salton Inc.
George Foreman’s boxing career has been formidable, to say the least. But this famed boxer made way more money from his endorsement deals. The one he struck with Salton Inc. was perhaps the most memorable of all, bringing in around $200 million for him.
Salton’s electric grills were launched in the 1990s. While they were still on a small scale, Foreman picked up this endorsement and even lent his name to the brand. He reportedly received $137.5 million in cash, stock for his name and image rights, and over $11 million for commercials and advertisements!
Tiger Woods x Nike
A force to reckon with on the golf course, Tiger Woods’ skill and fame have led to multiple brand endorsement deals with Nike. The brand has also been one of his most loyal sponsors.
The first endorsement between the two parties was a five-year agreement that was signed in 1996 for $40 million. The second one came soon after – $100 million for five years. This relationship has continued with bigger deals coming through in 2006 and 2013. The contract in 2013 was reportedly renewed for a whopping $200 million.
Charlize Theron x Dior
Known for her effortless grace and versatility, Charlize Theron has been one of the most charismatic actresses on screen. While she endorses several brands, one of the most significant has been Dior’s J’adore perfume range – an 11-year contract with a $5 million annual payout, coming up to $55 million in total. As a part of this deal, she has appeared in various TV commercials and billboard advertisements over the years.
Julia Roberts x Lancôme
Iconic in her own right, Julia Roberts has been one of the highest paid actresses of her time. She has starred in prominent films such as Pretty Woman, Erin Brockovich, and Eat Pray Love. Continuing her celebrity career, she took on the role of ambassador for the popular cosmetic house Lancôme. While the deal was initially supposed to be $20 million, the brand was quick to stretch it out to $50 million for a five-year contract. Apart from her role in endorsement, she has also taken a special interest in the research and development of products.
George Clooney x Nespresso
Not enough can be said about George Clooney’s charismatic personality, both on and off-screen. Couple that with his impeccable comic timing to create a true winning combination for any brand. Nespresso took this opportunity by signing a $40 million deal with the actor to make truly memorable advertisements that add a little more flair to one’s coffee. Since this partnership, Clooney has starred in several Nespresso advertisements, with the most notable being the How far would you go for Nespresso? campaign with Jean Dujardin and Camille Cottin.
Selena Gomez x Puma
Sports brands seem to have a special connection with celebrities. While Puma has had several celebrity endorsements and special edition lines over the years, one of their most notable collaborations has been with Selena Gomez. The singer was reportedly paid $30 million for a two-year term, during which she starred in many advertisements.
Taylor Swift x Coca-Cola
Taylor Swift has been one of the biggest celebrity names over the last few years. Cashing in early on her popularity, Coca-Cola collaborated with the singer in 2014, where she became the brand ambassador of Diet Coke. This endorsement reportedly cost the brand $26 million. As a part of this campaign, the brand smartly used her song 22 as part of the Stay Extraordinary campaign to appeal to her massive fanbase.
50 Cent x vitaminwater
Although a rapper by profession, 50 Cent became an investor and co-owner of the brand vitaminwater. As the product’s popularity grew, it was acquired by Coca-Cola in 2007. The new parent company signed an endorsement deal with the rapper, which was reportedly valued at $100 million.
Nicole Kidman x Chanel
The gorgeous Nicole Kidman has been celebrated for her diverse filmography and immense dedication to every role. She raked in a whopping $12 million for a 180-second advertisement for Chanel N°5 back in 2004. Directed by Baz Luhrmann, the film also featured Rodrigo Santoro and has gone down in history as one of the most expensive advertisements ever shot, with a budget of $33 million.
