Take a look at that four year old kid who has a slew of vids on youtube that are of him playing a kit that I can't even rememeber, and now he's got his own dot.com with Peace and Sabian (I think) plastered on it.
He plays great (for a four year old)...definitely impressed, but endorsed?!?!?
Really?
Youtube's visibility overwhelming gets the nod.
***********EDIT************
He's five...Jonah Rocks, plays SJC
AND DW Drums, Vic firth, Zidjian, Stoked Thrones, and Evans Heads
http://www.jonahrocks.com/home.htm
Not to say, that talent and musicianship can't get you endorsed, but I'd have to agree that visibility has the highest marketing strategy cornered.