By John F. McKenna (McJack): It has become increasingly clear that Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao is rapidly becoming a worldwide phenomenon and not just the boxing icon that he has been for a number of years. To demonstrate the value advertisers now place on him Manny Pacquiao recently signed a lucrative deal with computer giant Hewlett-Packard (HP).

HP is going all out with its TouchPad to go head to head against Apple Computers iPad 2. Pacquiao will be pushing TouchPad along with the HP Veer Smartphone as well as other Hewlett-Packard products. Pacquiao will receive a reported one million dollars a year for three years as part of the deal.

Much more importantly for Pacquiao there are reports that he will receive a percentage of every HP product he promotes. In addition Manny’s picture will be on every box of HP chips. The huge ad campaign by Hewlett Packard is already underway.

The advertising will be on television, print ads, billboards and radio. This will be Pacquiao’s first endorsement that goes global and it is hoped by team Pacquiao that there will be many more. The fact that HP is using Manny Pacquiao to push their product line has a lot to say about his public persona and also makes a statement about boxing being an international sport with international reach.

The benefits to Pacquiao for the Hewlett-Packard deal are enormous. It adds credibility to the Pacquiao brand. And let’s face reality, no matter how high the Pay Per View numbers are in the U.S.A., fighters are not well known to the mainstream. The HP ads go a long way towards introducing Manny Pacquiao to the general public in America.

There is a lot of prestige for Pacquiao in doing business with a company as huge and as well respected as Hewlett-Packard. In corporate America it is all about image and putting a positive spin on that image.

Part of the benefit for Pacquiao is the added name recognition he will receive and how that will translate into added PPV buys for his future fights. It is a win, win situation for Hewlett-Packard, Manny Pacquiao and for the sport of boxing.