You think Paula Deen has it bad? Chris Brown knows it could be worse. The singer endured criminal charges for his role in a 2009 altercation with then-girlfriend Rihanna. Wrigley canceled Brown's endorsement deal soon after.
Deen has also suffered an exodus of sponsors in the wake of revelations that she'd used a racial slur in years past. Home Depot and Target, to name two. I'd love to tell you that Deen and Brown are exceptions to the rule. Unfortunately, that's not true.
Corporate America spends $50 billion on endorsement deals annually in hopes of converting shoppers into buyers. As the following slideshow demonstrates, they're usually quick to go elsewhere when a spokesperson's reputation takes a turn for the worse.
Usually, but not always. Nike's (NKE 0.66%) long-term commitment to Tiger Woods has paid off nicely while two other stocks have used various spokespeople to gain worldwide appeal. Care to learn more? Our analysts have just released a special report detailing everything you need to know about investing in the biggest U.S. brands. Click here to claim your free copy now.
