Yes, definitely agree that the job spans their performance of skis, or at least it should in order to be as successful as possible. An intelligent buyer bases their purchasing decision off of a lot more factors than simply seeing their favorite pro using it on film. But a lot of buyers, especially younger easily influenced kids, will simply buy something because they see someone on it. Buying a rally car isn't going to mean I will drive like Pastrana, but it's going to make me feel like I'm getting one step closer.
I definitely agree with what you're saying and that these products need to be presented in various aspects. I realize its after an athlete reaches a certain point in their career and the company puts a good amount of effort into marketing an athlete that product sales will increase. But somewhere in that process a tipping point happens where some people will simply buy something because they see it on someone.
I guess what I'm saying is that there are smart consumers and blind consumers. Some need a lot more knowledge to purchase something than others, but the athlete is generally an integral part of that buying process no matter how you slice it. If Tanner Hall left Armada to ski for Moment, Moment's sales would definitely increase with the association of those two names. Anthony has fans, and some of those fans will now simply purchase or be more inclined to purchase Surface because of his career move.
I initially replied because it seemed as if you were excluding the blind consumers from the equation, when they're of huge importance to that equation and an athlete's worth. But obviously you understand how it works. Sweet, good discussion.