#1 Brand in Urban America
Magic Johnson Enterprises (MJE) is the number one brand in urban America because we have significantly blazed a trail in revitalizing inner cities, have a long history of business “firsts,” and most significantly, have a brand aligned with the well-respected notoriety of Earvin “Magic” Johnson.
Examples of this include:
- Magic Johnson was voted (unaided) number one at representing the urban community, garnering a higher percentage than any other organization or personality mentioned in the multi-state survey. Sixteen percent of respondents cited Magic Johnson over 11% for Oprah Winfrey, and 5% each for Black Entertainment Television, Oscar De La Hoya and Russell Simmons (February 2008 Yankelovich/Magic Johnson Brand Study).
- African-Americans believe that Magic Johnson has done the most to improve the quality of life in inner-city neighborhoods, followed by Oprah Winfrey and Russell Simmons while Hispanics believe that all three have played a roughly equal part in this effort (February 2008 Yankelovich/Magic Johnson Brand Study)
- In 2006, Earvin “Magic” Johnson was voted one of the most highly rated celebrities able to influence consumer purchase power (rated 6 out of 350; 2006 Davie Brown Index)
- In 2007, Earvin “Magic” Johnson was rated the number one athlete for corporate endorsements (TSE Sports & Entertainment Survey, April 2007)
- In 2007, Magic Johnson Enterprises introduced NASCAR to its first minority supplier, Kairi’s BubbaQ's.
- In 1998, Magic Johnson Enterprises partnered with Starbucks Coffee Company to create Urban Coffee Opportunities. This partnership continues to be the only one of its kind with Starbucks Coffee Company.>
- In 1994, Johnson Development Corporation partnered with Sony Entertainment to create Magic Johnson Theatres. This resulted in the nation’s only major black exhibitor of first-run movies in state-of-the art movie multiplexes in diverse communities.
- In 1992, Johnson Development Corporation developed the first shopping plaza in West LA in 30 years.
- Earvin “Magic” Johnson was the first player to own an NBA license to sell merchandise.
- In 1994, Earvin “Magic” Johnson became the first former African-American basketball player to own part of a NBA franchise, the LA Lakers. He is still currently part owner.