Being in the national spotlight means that many star players are going to gain a following. Julie Johnston, a 23-year-old starting defender for the USWNT, earned her recognition with her exceptional performance in this year’s Women’s World Cup.
Johnston, born in Phoenix, Arizona and daughter of a former LSU football player attended Santa Clara University where she played collegiate soccer accumulating numerous awards including leading goal scorer. In 2014 she was drafted in the first round of the National Women’s Soccer League draft by the Chicago Red Stars where she went on to become the NWSL Rookie of the year.
Johnston earned a spot on the 2015 Women’s World Cup team where she played every game and recorded two assists. Her physical presence helped the US concede only four goals the entire tournament establishing one of the best back lines in the world. One of those goals happened to be a Julie Johnston own goal in the final but her team was already leading 4-1, proving the goal to be worthless. Her aggressive style also became useful in set pieces in which she asserted herself, often times putting opposing players on their backs. The US defense was a big reason for their success and Johnston was a key piece to the National team’s impressive and dominant run through the tournament.
Being that Julie is a new face for the USWNT, her rising stock and success at the international level opens the door for a plethora of marketing and sponsorship opportunities. She is one of the youngest athletes on the victorious US roster and a now recognizable face being that she was a vital part of every US game. One of the most improved players for the USWNT who has garnered national attention deserves the media spotlight, at least for the upcoming months if not longer. The success of the women’s national team should also help develop the sport, just like in 1999, and there always has to be at least a few athletes to represent the growth and advancement of the sport. Johnston's youth will allow her to be a star and centerpiece in future Olympics and World Cups to come, giving her even more exposure. Her style of play, success on the big stage, and rising stardom is a surefire way for her to get into the national spotlight and create advertising opportunities throughout the country.
Zach Ertz, an up and coming 24-year-old Tight End for the Philadelphia Eagles has also made a name for himself in the National Football League. The California native played collegiately at Stanford and has become a focal point for a bright Eagles’ future. The former second round pick received numerous awards both in college and the NFL including All-American, the Ozzie Newsome award and NFL rookie of the week. With Chip Kelly totally revamping the offense it will be interesting to see how Ertz and the Eagles fair. This young talent is sure to be a staple in the NFL for a long time and with a promising career ahead of him, he can really make a name for himself.
Ertz’s youth along with his talent and current success in the league is sure to make him a marketing item in Philadelphia if not the rest of the country.
The connection between Julie Johnston and Zach Ertz is that they are currently in a relationship, creating a marketing match made in heaven. The two careers are both prospering as both of their stocks in their respective sports are rising. The two under 25-year-olds grew up on the west coast and both went to college in California. Their careers and future are adorably paralleled and the fact that they are dating only makes the marketing and sponsorship opportunities even sweeter. Imagine the opportunities of creating a his and hers campaign featuring the two rising, successful stars. Their relationship has even attracted media attention with articles on how Ertz attended Johnston’s World Cup games and was even more nervous than she was. He’s a huge fan of hers and, conversely, Johnston attends as many Eagles’ games as possible.
"Before we started dating my soccer knowledge was average,'' Ertz said in a nj.com article. "Now, it's better. We've watched a lot of games together, lot of European games together, so I know who the best players in the world are.”
It’s always amusing seeing two athletes in a relationship and it’s even better when we notice one rooting for the other, or sharing a passion for the other sport. The possibilities are endless for the two both in their careers and from a marketing perspective.
Ertz and Johnston aren’t the first ever Philadelphia Eagles + Women’s soccer star relationship. Quarterback A.J Feeley and Defender Heather Mitts dated and are now married.
You can check out and create sponsorship opportunities with Julie Johnston, her club the Chicago Red Stars and her boyfriend Zach Ertz all on OpenSponsorship.com and get connecting with the young, up and coming sports couple today!