What about President Obama? Can following his tastes result in shareholder profits?

As Leader of the Free World, President Obama must be careful not to seem too commercial, so it's unlikely that he will overtly endorse any product. And so we have to dig a little deeper and learn from his actions.

In a recent interview, Obama was seen at the burger shop, a favorite on the menu for the president. Will we see him at Red Robin Gourmet Burger (NASDAQ: RRGB)? His mere presence there would be an implied endorsement and could send fans flocking to their own Red Robin Gourmet Burger restaurant.

We all know the impact that celebrities have on businesses. One of the most obvious instances of this phenomenon comes from the Oprah Winfrey Show. For example, when a title makes it into her book club, millions of loyal followers immediately take action, and sales follow.

These days, Michelle Obama is giving Oprah a run for her money. The First Lady is being closely watched by millions, and she too has a loyal following. She also appears to have a fashion sense that resonates with consumers around the globe. We all saw the number of stories and speculation about her gown during the inauguration.