BMW has unveiled a 328i model that will be the official car
of the '96 Olympic Torch Relay. The car will be silver and
decorated with "multi-colored images of the 50 states"
(BRANDWEEK, 1/15 issue)....The new parabolic ski is in high
demand at resorts across the U.S. The ski, which features an
hour-glass design that makes turning easier, is being compared to
oversized golf club and tennis racket designs (N.Y. TIMES, 1/14).
In this morning's NEWSDAY, columnist Gregg Sarra reviews the
performance of the Elan 193 parabolic model, noting that they
enable intermediates "to have more fun." Sarra notes pro shop
owners say nearly everyone who demos the design returns to
purchase them (NEWSDAY, 1/18)....Wednesday's CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
ran a front-page feature on the second annual Electric Football
Convention taking place this weekend in Chicago. While only
Miggle Toys of Highland Park, IL, still produces electric
football games, Miggle Owner Michael Landsman says sales that
have doubled each year since '91 (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES,
1/17)....Reebok announced yesterday it plans a $34M charge for
the 4th quarter due to the sale of its Avia subsidiary. Excluding
the charge, Reebok expects full-year earnings of $2.60-2.65 a
share (WALL STREET JOURNAL, 1/18)....Wal-Mart reports that
trading card sales are up 696% over a year ago thanks to the
company's World's Most Valuable Card Giveaway in which a Honus
Wagner card will be found in a selected pack (Wal-Mart).
Unrelated to that news, Wal-Mart announced it expects its first
earnings decline in 25 years, "a whopping" 11% drop in the 4th
quarter. Wal-Mart stock closed at $20.37 -- its lowest level
since '91 (Minneapolis STAR-TRIBUNE, 1/18)....Computer service
company EMC has signed a two-year deal to become title sponsor
for the Golf Skills Challenge on NBC (INSIDE MEDIA, 1/10-23
issue).... NBR's Cassie Seifert reported that McDonald's plans to
open over 6,000 new restaurants over the next two years, most
outside the U.S. The company will also buy back close to $2B of
its common stock over the next three years. McDonald's stock
rose 1 5/8 yesterday to 46 3/8 (PBS, 1/17).
