Tony Perrottet: the Michael Jordan of Travel Writers

Travel Blog  •  Jim Benning  •  04.01.05 | 12:16 AM ET

How’s that, you ask? The author of Route 66 A.D. is the first travel writer we’ve heard of to land a real-life footwear endorsement deal. That’s right. Michael Jordan-style. At least sort of. Nike didn’t come calling with plans for an “Air Perrottet” sneaker or billboards of the writer bravely touring the ruins at Ephesus. But Rockport recently offered to pay him to wear their new line of travel shoes and do readings in places like the Macy’s shoe department. He jumped at the chance.

Perrottet told me this morning he was first contacted by Rockport via e-mail while he was visiting a cattle ranch in the Australian Outback. “It was surreal,” he said. He told the company he had no interest in dropping its name in his books or travel stories. That was fine with them, he said. They were more interested in event appearances. “Compared to the harrowing negotiations you have to go through with magazine editors, the Rockport people were really straightforward,” he said. So is he getting Michael Jordan-style paychecks? Not quite. “I’m not putting any down payments on a Hamptons mansion or a Malibu penthouse,” he said. But he is delighted with the deal. He’s done a few events in New York, Arizona and San Francisco, and more are in the works. He’ll be appearing tonight from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Macy’s shoe department near San Francisco’s Union Station. He’ll read from his work. People who buy the shoes will get a free copy of his book. And most importantly, he said, there will be plenty of free martinis to go around, which appeals to the ancient Roman in him. “The thing that always mortified me about Barnes and Noble readings was they’re alcohol free,” he said. “That’s just wrong. The ancient Romans used to have readings all the time, but they were well lubricated with lots of wine. The modern literary thing is often very austere. Ancient Romans would have been mortified by that.” Not surprisingly, Perrottet’s publisher is pleased because he’s essentially on a book tour at Rockport’s expense. And his wife is happy because she digs the shoes. “I’m like a lot of guys,” he said. “I never paid a ton of attention to my shoes. I’d always buy the same kind. So it’s kind of nice. My wife is relieved because I get these packages of shoes in the mail and they’re really nice.” So does Perrottet have any other endorsement deals in the works? “I haven’t been approached yet,” he said. Then he added, chuckling, “I do need some new luggage.”

Tags: Australia & Pacific, Australia


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