Paramount Pictures has enlisted Foot Locker and TBS to
promote the May 22 release of "Mission: Impossible." On April
25, "Win the Impossible" promos will start running during NBA
playoff broadcasts on TBS and TNT. The Turner-produced spots
will also plug a Foot Locker sweepstakes (AD AGE ONLINE,
4/22)....On its first day of trading, Planet Hollywood stock
closed up 8 7/8 to 26 7/8. With more than 22.5 million shares
changing hands, it was the largest volume ever in IPO history
("NBR," PBS, 4/19)....Torco Oil Co. is taking down its sign on
the wall of a Sheffield Ave. apartment outside Wrigley Field
after more than 25 years. Torco is leasing the space to
Southwest Airlines which will put up a sign that reads, "Great
seats at bleacher prices" (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 4/22)....Rams No. 1
pick Lawrence Phillips, on the questions about his off-field
affairs: "I like doing interviews. I love the TV. It's good
marketing. I'm a good looking guy, so I hope a lot of people see
this. I think that everybody's going to keep the questions in
their minds until I show them something off the field" ("NFL
Draft '96," ESPN, 4/21)....USA TODAY's Dottie Enrico questions
why American companies "remain cool" to Asian athletes in U.S.
pro sports (USA TODAY, 4/22)....Dorna USA has extended its
association with the AVP by entering into a new three-year deal.
Dorna will continue to lease its AdTime rotational signage system
for all Tour events and retains its option to sell sponsorships
for the AVP (Dorna). ....David Barron notes Pinnacle's purchase
of Donruss' rights to baseball and hockey cards is the
"precursor" to Pinnacle's attempts to acquire an NBA license
(HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 4/20)....Indians OF Albert Belle was
scheduled to film a TV commercial in Jacobs Field for McDonald's,
but he didn't show up. Indians Manager Mike Hargrove took his
place in the spot (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 4/21).
