<<

'Dancing with the Stars’ Marketing Potential: Season 20

02.24.2015

Each year, ABC introduces a new group of dancers and celebrities to vie for the coveted Mirror Ball trophy (adding in some promotional help for their own endeavors along the way).

This year is no different on , with a Shark Tank investor, a gymnast, actresses and an NFL free agent all looking to score some self-promotional gold. Each have their own reasons to join the show, whether it's a new book coming out or a push for sports sponsorships or just a general need to get their names back into the public's minds (and hearts, if you're last season's winner , better known as The Fresh Prince's joyful dancer Carlton).

So let's meet the cast of season 20 of Dancing with the Stars and see what they have to gain this year:

Noah Galloway, partnered with , was Men's Health Magazine's Ultimate Guy of 2014. He lost two of his limbs during Operation Iraqi Freedom and is now a personal trainer and motivational speaker. Galloway also participates in races and courses including the Tough Mudder and Spartan events, but it is his No Excuses Charitable Fund that can stand to benefit from his TV appearance.

Shark Tank investor and TV personality Robert Herjavec is swapping ABC shows this season as he partners with Kym Johnson. Herjavec is known as the "nice Shark" on the series, and has built a multi-million dollar business out of his cybersecurity firm. The author will probably work to bring attention to his books as well as his ABC sister show.

As for singers and performers, Grammy winner Patti LaBelle tops the list with partner . LaBelle has plenty to gain by being on the show, with lots of albums and lifestyle and recipe books to her credit.Â

Singer-songwriter Riker Lynch has been paired with . He has appeared on Fox's and is a part of the band R5, which is touring this year. LMFAO's will no doubt be the wild card of the musicians, who, partnered with , has also appeared on Dancing with the Stars as a guest judge. Redfoo just released a new song and is trying to ramp up his TV appearances after a brief stay on Australian X Factor.

The athletes are typically a force to be reckoned with. is a former Olympic gold medal gymnast, who, paired with , stands a great chance this year. She made a name for herself at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, but since then she's also launched a clothing line, SuperGirl, and a new gymnastics competition, and will be seen as a TV commentator during the 2016 Games in Rio. Michael Sam made headlines last year when he became the first openly gay player to be drafted into the NFL. Paired with , Sam will continue to shine even after he continued to get promotional love via GQ  Magazine's Man of the Year. Sam also was a finalist for Sports Illustrated 's Sportsman of the Year.

Season 20's actress game is strong as well. 's partner , the actress most known for her role on Three's Company, has also become a pitchwoman and author, with more than 25 books published and one more to come this year. Daughter of Demi Moore and Bruce Willis, , paired with Val Chmerkovskiy, has been acting since she was a child but will most likely use this time on Dancing with the Stars to promote her debut album. Willow Shields is partnered with and can use this opportunity to expand her already active young fan base past her breakout role of Primrose Everdeen in films. Charlotte McKinney will probably be best known for her Carl's Jr. Super Bowl ad, but will work with partner to get her face out there a bit more for future campaigns.