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New | The curse of Jackie Chan? Chinese tycoon defends film star against claims he is bad luck as brand ambassador

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Actor Jackie Chan’s work promoting Gree Electric has been a success says Chinese tycoon Dong Mingzhu, chairwoman of the home appliance maker. Photo: SCMP Pictures

A Chinese tycoon has defended action film star Jackie Chan against claims he is a “curse” as a mainland brand ambassador after many firms he has promoted in the past have found themselves mired in problems and controversy.

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Dong Mingzhu, billionaire chairwoman of leading Chinese home appliance maker Gree Electric – speaking on the sidelines of the annual National People’s Congress meeting in Beijing – said the actor’s work representing her company had not hurt the business.

READ MORE: He made HOW MUCH? Jackie Chan is now second highest-paid actor in the world: Forbes

“He represented Gree for two years and Gree didn’t die,” Dong Mingzhu was quoted as saying in a report on Tuesday by news website Huanqiu.com, which is affiliated with Global Times.

Dong Mingzhu, the billionaire chairwoman of Gree Electric. Photo: SCMP Pictures
Dong Mingzhu, the billionaire chairwoman of Gree Electric. Photo: SCMP Pictures
“Some [media reports] claimed Chan was to blame – saying his work as a representative had killed these companies,” Dong said.

“[But I think that] it is the power of the company, instead of Chan’s representation that decides the life and death of a business.”

READ MORE: How Jackie Chan straddles East and West to stay at the top of his game

Dong’s comments came after Chinese media suggested Chan had proved to be a curse for mainland manufacturers’ brands because a number of companies had struggled after he represented them.

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