MARKETPLACE ROUNDUP

     Slazenger, the manufacturer of Wimbledon tennis balls since
1902, has worked on producing a slower ball for this year's
tournament.  Slazenger "refuses to provide any technical
information about the precise changes in the balls, saying only
that nothing but the pressure has been changed" (FINANCIAL TIMES,
6/19)....Jim Ferguson, the "advertising whiz" who created the
"Nothing But Net" McDonald's commercial and the "Little Giants,"
is profiled in the DALLAS MORNING NEWS.  Ferguson is now Chief
Creative Officer of DDB Needham in Dallas (DALLAS MORNING NEWS,
6/18)....The sale of hot dogs, peanuts, beer and soda are all off
50% or more at MLB ballparks, according to the current issue of
BUSINESS WEEK.  One factor is the "post strike crowd mix," as the
fans who are going to the games may be more "resistant to pricey
stadium fare."  BUSINESS WEEK:  "Why not try temporary discounts,
as some teams have done with tickets?  Few concessionaires even
considered this" (BUSINESS WEEK, 6/26 issue).