Fame follows her every step on terra firma

by Paul Kent

JESSICA Watson's fame has grown bigger than many expected.

While Watson headed off for a haircut in Sydney with her best mate Pamela Fredric, her manager Andrew Fraser had the job of sorting the dozens of offers - with plenty of zeroes attached - that have come in from around the world since she returned on Saturday.

American TV shows such as Today and the Tonight Show with Jay Leno have contacted Mr Fraser in a bid to get her on their programs, as have other networks from the US and Europe.

All are splashing cash and the easy answer would be to walk in to any negotiations with a bucket and see how high they fill it up.

But Mr Fraser is wary of exploiting Watson's achievement as a crude money grab.

He has already knocked back a $250,000 approach to allow a women's magazine into her birthday party tomorrow, which will be a private function.

It was the easiest money they could have earned, but Watson's management team are handling her affairs carefully.

In past attempts, sailors have returned from circumnavigations hugely in debt. Even Watson's sail left no change out of $400,000.

Unlike those other attempts, Watson's trip was largely paid for beforehand after sponsors recognised the interest in her.

A big part of that was a book deal that is said to be already 80 per cent complete.

"Our job was to make sure she came back in no debt," Mr Fraser said yesterday.

"Now she's in a good position and we don't have to take the first deal that comes along.

"We don't have to take everything."

Watson will be heading to the US soon to see what opportunities are there.

"I've always wanted America to be her market," Mr Fraser said.

Five television crews were waiting for Watson to emerge from her hotel room yesterday, with most camped there since the morning.

She is expected to be followed again today when she heads out to choose her outfit for tomorrow's birthday party.



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