David and Victoria Beckham's profile-raising effort in the US isn't over yet, as the couple will be gracing the cover of a Vogue menswear supplement in September, while Manchester United are set to play an exhibition game as well. But reviews on the Beckham PR onslaught are now rolling in – and they don't exactly indicate that the high profile pair have taken the US by storm.
"Bend It Like WHO?" queries one New York newspaper. "Don't Come Beck" reads another. The general consensus seems to be that Americans don't understand why Posh and Becks merit so much attention. One New York Post writer opined: "It's been a long time since the Spice Girls generated headlines… and while the UK may be mad for soccer, here it's a sport played by young girls."
Hellomagazine.com readers seem to agree that the couple's bid for popularity has fizzled. In our recent on-line poll, which simply asked "The Beckhams in the States?", 26 per cent responded "For UK consumption only" and nearly half chose the answer, "Who?".
Becks's struggle for recognition stateside, however, has no effect on his bankability in other parts of the world. The footballer will be banking £1 million when he tours the Far East next week, visiting Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand and Japan, where nine out of ten people know his name. And Spanish fans are also in a tizzy – rumours that Becks spoke to Real Madrid bosses before his US tour seem to indicate he may be transferred to the football-mad country.
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
