Halle Berry is named top endorser

Actress Halle Berry is the most popular celebrity endorser, followed by Beyonce Knowles, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Sarah Jessica Parker and Jennifer Lopez, U.S. advertising agencies and marketing executives said in a survey.

Berry, who won the best actress Academy Award for her role in the 2001 film “Monster’s Ball,” led the top 10 list for the second straight year, according to the survey by Burns Sports & Celebrity Service Inc., a Chicago-based company that arranges endorsements for athletes and celebrities.

Advertisers and agencies like stars because they make commercials memorable and help make a connection between products and shoppers, said Doug Shabelman, senior vice president at Burns Sports. That makes the millions spent on endorsements worthwhile, he said.