ET's Bob Goen reported that as part of film directors
Quentin Tarantino's "spin-off" into TV commercials will be the
direction of a Nike spot which will debut during the '96 Super
Bowl ("ET," 7/25)....The logo for the Northwest League's Portland
Rockies is a big seller. The team has surpassed $170,000 in
souvenir sales this season, with team caps currently on back
order (Portland OREGONIAN, 7/25).... The RCA Tennis Championships
in Indianapolis will host its third annual IBM Legends Weekend
August 11-13. Activities include a pro-am with Rod Laver and
Tracy Austin (RCA Championships)....GE Capital of Emeryville, CA,
will present the '95 Giants Community Fund Golf Classic. The
event, featuring several S.F. Giant players and other
celebrities, will benefit various community and youth programs
(GE Capital)....PepsiCo reported a 9% gain in second-quarter
earnings, to $487.2M. Profits in the restaurant division rose
16%, as Pizza Hut's introduction the "Stuffed Crust" pizza helped
increase sales by 14%. But Taco Bell's "Border Lights" have not
been a hit, as volume dropped 4% in comparable stores (FINANCIAL
TIMES, 7/26). Clearwater-based Checkers Restaurants are adding
Mexican food in an attempt to take on Taco Bell in the FL market
(TAMPA TRIBUNE, 7/26). ....CALGARY HERALD op-ed writer David
Trigueriro takes a could-be-worse approach to Canadian Airlines
buying naming rights to the Saddledome: "The Flames could be
playing in the Poulan/Weed Eater Bowl" (CALGARY HERALD,
7/26)....G. Heileman Brewing has a new ad campaign for its EX and
EX Light Beer -- "The Joy of EX." The new radio ads feature a
male version of Dr. Ruth giving advice to young adults: "Just
walk up to any women you find appealing and ask here if she'd
like to have EX with you." Heileman's Special Import Brand
Manager George McGowan: "We're not using women in bikinis. It's
more highbrow" (MILWAUKEE JOURNAL-SENTINEL, 7/26).....The field
for the '95 BANK IV Classic in Oklahoma is set. Oklahoma State,
Temple, Tulsa, and Oral Roberts will play in the December 30 NCAA
basketball event. Corporate sponsorships are available (Bank IV
Classic).
