VANCOUVER, British Columbia — The couple whose photographed smooch amid the Stanley Cup riots in Vancouver, British Columbia, made headlines around the world was reconsidering Thursday a decision to kiss goodbye the financial benefits of the newfound global stardom.
Australian Scott Jones previously said that he did not want the “extra stress” of media appointments after he and his Canadian girlfriend, Alexandra Thomas, were indundated with offers to describe the events that led to their public clinch on the asphalt, surrounded by riot police.
But leading Australian celebrity agent Max Markson confirmed that the pair subsequently hired his Markson Sparks PR firm to explore the potential for earnings, with Jones keen on a career in entertainment.
“I think for Scott, it’s a tremendous opportunity for him to springboard his acting and standup comedy,” Markson told the Toronto Star. “Overseas people know more about that photo than the Stanley Cup.”
Markson said he was handling requests for interviews, endorsements and job opportunities while Jones and Thomas concentrated on “unwinding” on vacation in California before heading to Melbourne, Australia.
The agent said that he would “love to get them on ‘Jay Leno’ or ‘Ellen'” and confirmed that he arranged for them to attend a lunch with former British prime minister Tony Blair in Australia at the end of July.
Markson recently said that the couple’s global exposure could be worth a potential AU$10 million (US$10.6 million).
Photographer Richard Lam took the photo of the couple lying on the road in an embrace amid the chaos, with Jones saying that he was helping Thomas after she was knocked down amid the riot.
The riots were sparked by the Vancouver Canucks’ loss in the decisive Game 7 of the Stanley Cup to the Boston Bruins on June 15.