A group of unionized garment workers called UNITE are asking
tennis star Stefan Edberg to "get on the case" of his sponsor
Adidas for the poor way they claim a licensee that manufactures
Adidas socks treats its employees. The workers, "mostly black
females, have sent an open letter to Edberg describing the
dangerous conditions, poverty-level wages, and discrimination
they face." Edberg, who is playing at the Canadian Open this
week, said he is aware of the situation, and has written a letter
to Adidas to see if there is a problem. Edberg: "I hope it all
gets sorted out." UNITE is protesting outside the tournament
this week in Montreal. John Fread, of Adidas U.S. headquarters
in Portland, said the dispute is between the union and the
factory owners: "If Adidas owned the factory, it would be a
different story, but its (Chipman-Union's) workers and
management." Chipman-Union has a licensing agreement with Adidas
to make socks (Mike Kings, MONTREAL GAZETTE, 7/27).
STUFFED CRUST NOT PITS OF THE WORLD: Pizza Hut will launch
the fifth in a series of TV spots supporting "Stuffed Crust"
pizza with Pete Sampras and John McEnroe featured. The ad debuts
on Monday (AD AGE ONLINE, 7/27)....The USTA has selected
Grybauskas Beatrice in New York to handle its ad account, which
formerly was with Ammirati & Puris/Lintas in New York. A "Get
into the Game"-themed campaign with Sampras and Andre Agassi
begins Tuesday (N.Y. TIMES, 7/27). ....The Corel Champions tennis
tournament scheduled from October 3-8 in Hilton Head seeks
sponsors from $5,000 to $25,000 for its event featuring Bjorn
Borg, Jimmy Connors and other legends (AD AGE, 7/24)....In
Cleveland, the USTA along with Tennis Industry of America has
presented the city with two grants worth $100,000 to promote
interest in the sport. Cleveland was one of 29 cities chosen to
receive a $25,000 grant for advertising two weeks of free
lessons. A radio campaign will also run in the city with the
slogan "Put Yourself on the Line" (CLEVELAND PLAIN DEALER, 7/26).
