Manny Pacquiao scores first global endorsement deal, named first House billionaire

 Filipino boxing champion Manny Pacquiao has been tapped to promote HP's new TouchPad tablet, his first global endorsement deal, Pacquiao's promoter Top Rank told Manila Standard Today. According to the report, neither Top Rank nor HP divulged how much the deal was worth, but the website Campaign Singapore estimated it to be worth US$1 million per year.

Top Rank said they submitted Pacquiao's name to HP, who was looking for an endorser for its TouchPad tablet, reports Manila Standard Today. Pacquiao's campaign will include HP laptops, printers, smart phones and other products.

Campaign Singapore wrote, "Confusion surrounding Pacquiao's representation had left many international brands reluctant to sign the boxing superstar, despite his multi-million-dollar appeal and fanatical fan base... But because Pacquiao's sponsorship deals tended to be domestic within his native Philippines, he was free to embark (on) the HP deal."

Pacquiao has also signed a three-year contract to endorse Texas-based State Street Produce, a company that supplies restaurants in the US, reports Manila Standard Today. The trade name "Pacquiao's Produce" will be featured in advertisements, produce boxes, delivery trucks and more.
One of ESPN The Magazine's Best Paid Athletes of 2010, Pacquiao has also been named the first billionaire in the House of Representatives, reports Inquirer.net. Ricardo Bering, chief of the House records division, said yesterday that the Sarangani congressman reported a net worth of over P1 billion in his statement of assets, liabilities and net worth.