If NY Knick rookie phenomenon Jeremy Lin is the real deal on the court, expect him to be the most popular athlete marketer off-the court for many years to come.  This young man will be the face of the NBA – and surely the face of many mainstream, major brands. “Lin-sanity” has just begun – and this 2010 Harvard graduate is destined for marketing greatness if he can deliver on the court.

 

Jeremy Lin is a marketers dream – and to top it all off he is playing in the biggest media market in the world. He can be bigger than David Beckham, bigger than Michael Jordan – he’s Tiger Woods pre-scandal. Jeremy Lin is the American dream – for people, marketers and the world.

Only 6’3, he’s approachable, relatable and looks like the boy next door. A Harvard graduate – the very definition of brains and brawn, Lin is a hard working underdog who was an undrafted free agent and cut by 2 teams.  He’s International – the 1st American-born NBA player of Taiwanese or Chinese descent & 4th Asian-American ever in NBA he has the potential to further open China to the NBA. Asian TV partners of the NBA have already added Knicks games to their broadcast schedules – “Lin-sanity”.

 

This humble young man has been living with his brother and sister-in-law and already has a foundation in his name whose aim is to “provide “financial, educational and spiritual assistance and to make a lasting difference in the lives of others.” Lin speaks of his religion and family – and seemingly less polarizing than Tim Tebow, Jeremy Lin epitomizes the American dream.

 

Lin is a real role model – a dream face for brands who are authentic, passionate and hard working. If NY Knick rookie phenomenon Jeremy Lin is the real deal on the court, expect him to be the most popular athlete marketer off-the court for many years to come.  This young man will be the face of the NBA – and surely the face of many, many mainstream, major brands.

 

“Lin-sanity” will be bigger than Air Jordan if Lin can deliver on the court. Watch out world, we are all hoping Jeremy Lin and “Lin-Sanity” is here to stay.

 

Ronn Torossian is the CEO of 5WPR, a top 25 PR agency, and author of PR Book “For Immediate Release.”

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Ronn Torossian is the Founder & Chairman of 5W Public Relations, one of the largest independently owned PR firms in the United States. Since founding 5WPR in 2003, he has led the company's growth and vision, with the agency earning accolades including being named a Top 50 Global PR Agency by PRovoke Media, a top three NYC PR agency by O'Dwyers, one of Inc. Magazine's Best Workplaces and being awarded multiple American Business Awards, including a Stevie Award for PR Agency of the Year. With over 25 years of experience crafting and executing powerful narratives, Torossian is one of America's most prolific and well-respected public relations executives. Throughout his career he has advised leading and high-growth businesses, organizations, leaders and boards across corporate, technology and consumer industries. Torossian is known as one of the country's foremost experts on crisis communications. He has lectured on crisis PR at Harvard Business School, appears regularly in the media and has authored two editions of his book, "For Immediate Release: Shape Minds, Build Brands, and Deliver Results With Game-Changing Public Relations," which is an industry best-seller. Torossian's strategic, resourceful approach has been recognized with numerous awards including being named the Stevie American Business Awards Entrepreneur of the Year, the American Business Awards PR Executive of the Year, twice over, an Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year semi-finalist, a Top Crisis Communications Professional by Business Insider, Metropolitan Magazine's Most Influential New Yorker, and a recipient of Crain's New York Most Notable in Marketing & PR. Outside of 5W, Torossian serves as a business advisor to and investor in multiple early stage businesses across the media, B2B and B2C landscape. Torossian is the proud father of two daughters. He is an active member of the Young Presidents Organization (YPO) and a board member of multiple not for profit organizations.