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- BUSINESS, Page 69Business NotesADVERTISINGCelluloid Vs. Vinyl
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- Paul Newman, superstar, race-car driver and purveyor of his
- own name-brand salad dressing, has long avoided the big-time
- endorsement deals that many of his Hollywood peers covet. Too
- commercial, he was thought to feel. But last week word circulated
- that the star of Cool Hand Luke and Blaze had agreed to do a TV
- spot for American Express for a reported $2 million to $5 million.
- Meryl Streep, another holdout in the celebrity-endorsement
- sweepstakes, is also believed to be considering a deal with Amex,
- but corporate officials have refused to comment.
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- Both Oscar-winning stars are known for their charitable work
- and have high credibility with consumers. Ad-industry sources
- speculate that their commercials will be cause-related, perhaps
- addressing the environment. The prime beneficiary, though, is Amex,
- which can use the big box-office names to counter Visa's $8.5
- million endorsement deal with Paul McCartney.