Green Bay Packers' John Kuhn Tops January List of Top Ten Rising Sports Stars

IRVINE, Calif., Jan. 3, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Green Bay Packers' running back John Kuhn has earned the top spot on the list of Rising Sports Stars to watch in the month of January. Kuhn scored three touchdowns in Green Bay's Dec. 26 win against the New York Giants and has emerged as a fan favorite, gaining notice for key downs and special teams play. Kuhn's popularity has increased 79% over the past 30 days, and cheers for "KUUUUUUUHN" ring out when he carries the ball. Jimmy Graham of the New Orleans Saints and Brandon Bass of the Orlando Magic round out the top three.

This month's list also features Jacoby Ford at number 6, the first player to make a repeat appearance since Rising Sports Stars launched in August 2010. The Oakland Raiders' rookie wide receiver has dazzled fans with dramatic kickoff returns, including going 99 yards in 11 seconds following the opening kickoff in the Dec. 26 game against Indianapolis.  The full list and additional details are available at: www.brandaffinity.net/RisingStars/january2011

Rising Sports Stars is distributed by Brand Affinity Technologies (BAT), a company that calculates daily consumer affinity based on a proprietary combination of media exposure, performance, awards, popularity, engagement, and fan base, among other indicators, for more than 45,000 athletes and celebrities.  The list identifies sports stars with greatest leap in popularity over the prior 30 days. A meteoric rise may indicate a standout on-the-field performance, off-the-field achievement, or emergence from utility player to celebrity.  

Rising Sports Stars lists go live at the start of each month; subscribe to BAT's Twitter feed at @BATimpact to learn when new lists are posted. Sports fans can also download Fantapper for free from BAT at www.fantapper.com. Fantapper brings interactive apps and info to sports and celebrity content online, wherever it appears, giving fans instant access to everything they want to know about their favorite athletes and teams.

January Rising Sports Stars

(Details at: www.brandaffinity.net/RisingStars/january2011)

1. John Kuhn (Green Bay Packers)
2. Jimmy Graham (New Orleans Saints)
3. Brandon Bass (Orlando Magic)
4. DeAndre Levy (Detroit Lions)
5. Eric Berry (Kansas City Chiefs)
6. Jacoby Ford (Oakland Raiders)
7. James Harden (Oklahoma City Thunder)
8. Jay Feely (Arizona Cardinals)
9. Devin Hester (Chicago Bears)
10. Michael Beasley (Minnesota Timberwolves)

About Brand Affinity Technologies, Inc.  (BAT)

Founded in 2007, BAT (http://brandaffinity.net) unlocks the marketing power of celebrity through research, endorsements, and interactive experiences. BAT's research engine provides daily analysis of more than 45,000 celebrities and athletes. Advertisers use this analysis on BAT's Endorsement Platform to identify, license, and activate the most effective talent for their campaigns. Currently available endorsement talent includes more than 3,700 athletes and recording artists. BAT also leverages its research and technology engine to engage consumers directly through Fantapper (www.fantapper.com), which brings interactive apps to celebrity images and text across the web. Connect with BAT and Fantapper on Facebook: at www.facebook.com/BrandAffinityTech and www.facebook.com/Fantapper and Twitter: @BATimpact.

SOURCE Brand Affinity Technologies