Nike CEO Phil Knight, following Monday's White House
announcement of a "Code of Conduct" for the apparel
industry: "Not only is our industry stepping up to the plate
and taking a giant swing at improving factory conditions,
but equally important, we are finally providing consumers
some real guidance to counter all of the misinformation that
has surrounded this issue for far too long" (Nike). Under
the header, "A Modest Start On Sweatshops," a N.Y. TIMES
editorial: "The weakness of the code is its lack of precise
commitments. The accord suggests but does not require local
independent monitoring of working conditions or public
disclosure of infractions" (N.Y. TIMES, 4/16)....Despite an
report in Ad Age, Visa VP David Melancon would not confirm
to USA TODAY that a reported $50M sponsorship deal between
Visa and MLB has been finalized (USA TODAY, 4/16).
...BRANDWEEK NOTES: Schering-Plough signed pro volleyball
players Karch Kiraly and Rob Heidger to represent its
Coppertone Sport sunscreen. The pair will be featured in
radio ads....Celebrating its 50th anniversary next year,
NASCAR will leverage shoulder programming, publications and
licensing to focus on history; drivers and rivalries' NASCAR
and country music; and fans (BRANDWEEK, 4/14 issue)....The
Times Orange County will become the exclusive newspaper and
print publication partner for Anaheim Stadium as part of an
agreement between the paper and Anaheim Sports, Inc. The
deal, which includes signage throughout the stadium, year-
round sale of the newspaper and special promotion, community
and education events, goes through 2001 (Angels).
