LAS VEGAS ? Time was when just any Tom, Dick and Harry can shove a piece of paper in Manny Pacquiao?s face and a deal will be in place.
Not anymore as a couple of multi-million deals are about to be forged by a top saleswoman Top Rank has tapped not only to go over every proposal that will be sent but to find other deals as well.
Lucia Mckelvey, a 33-year-old Los Angeles native, is now handling all the endorsement deals of the Filipino boxing star after years of neglect.
?Manny is one of the top ten athletes in the world and he has no real long-lasting brand powers behind him,? said Mckelvey on Friday.
?If you look at LeBron James, if you look at Tiger Woods, if you look at Roger Federer, if you look at Kobe Bryant. These athletes have long-lasting multi-million relationships and Manny doesn?t,? explained Mckelvey.
Mckelvey was hired by Top Rank in the beginning of the year as its Executive Vice-President for Business Development and Marketing.
While Pacquiao is among the biggest-earning endorsers in the Philippines, being the main man for San Miguel and Nike and several others, Mckelvey said there is a lot of opportunities globally for boxing?s No. 1 attraction.
?He is very marketable here in the US. The good thing about me having on the team is I know all the marketers real well. They look to me, they know me.?
Mckelvey has been closely working with Canadian Mike Koncz, who is Pacquiao?s adviser.
Selling Pacquiao in the US is very doable, said Mckelvey.
?I am out to help him achieve what he deserves. He is a wonderful man. He is honorable and humble, musician. I love that about him. I want to sell him his whole image into these brands.?
Even though she is just into her sixth month at Top Rank, Mckelvey has made heads turn.
?I have two other very big, multi-million dollar deals in my pipeline. That?s going to be working well in the next few months.?
