Oh come off it. Since when did a 'sleb' wear (endorse) a product logo without getting something in return! (other than for charitable causes that is).
If she's not seen shooting exclusively Gamebore cartridges I'll eat my Fiocchi branded shooting hat!!
DT
Fair point, but all the evidence to date (unless someone can produce more definitive proof to the contrary) indicates that all she's currently been given is a free skeet vest, and perhaps some shells whenever she appears on TV in a clay shooting-related piece.
I think we can agree that manufacturers will go to inordinate lengths to have their brand slapped against what superficially appears like 'celebrity endorsement', but look at the clues: given the fact that she's only very recently picked-up her first gun, Mel would have to dedicate pretty much all her time to achieving anything resembling the standard required to shoot for Team GB at the 2020 Olympics, let alone the 2016 Rio Games. The fact that, given her other TV and work commitments, she's highly unlikely to [be able to] commit to that level of training and practice leads me to suspect whether
any shell manufacture might be that charitable with their product (after all, none of them are charities).
And, to be blunt, in terms of looks (at least for your average red-blooded male), it has to be said that Mel is not too displeasing on the eye. That being the case, ask yourself: what parts of the body are the largest percentage of UK shooters [males] going to be looking at whenever Mel is filmed shooting? Let's just say that it's not a coincidence that Castellani and Gamebore have their logos in those self same spots.
Lastly, look at the commercials to the deal you suggest: a three-year commitment (i.e. from now until the Rio Games in 2016) in free shells to a complete novice with (in all honesty) very little likelihood of making Team GB, let alone shooting in Rio... or, a free skeet vest with their brand on it. You don't need to be an FD/CFO to work that one out. For Gamebore, it's a
very canny move and, based on current evidence, has cost them, relatively speaking, ten bob and a bag of chips.
The above said, film of Mel smashing clays cannot harm the UK's perception of shooting in general; indeed, the opposite is probably the case. And Gamebore having this minor 'sleb associated with its brand cannot hurt them either - but again, I suspect they'll be thinking primarily with their wallet as, as 'gorgeous' as Mel might be, she's not a bankable or realistic prospect for Team GB any time soon. Of course, we can review this position once she's carried-off a few World titles and a hat full of Selection shoots.
