MARKETPLACE ROUND-UP

          CART has signed Balet & Albert Inc., N.Y., as the first
     agency to handle its account, with billings estimated at $1M
     (N.Y. TIMES, 7/23)....Taco Bell breaks a $200M ad campaign
     today, with company pitchman Shaquille O'Neal "missing from
     this ad effort" (USA TODAY, 7/23)....In Denver, Penny Parker
     reports that sources say Steamboat ski resort in CO, owned
     by Japan's Kamori Int'l, is "being courted" by ME-based
     American Skiing Co. and Vancouver-based Intrawest, and that
     Vail Resorts is "bidding" for Kamori's Heavenly Ski Resort
     in CA (DENVER POST, 7/23)....adidas has signed 76ers rookie
     Tim Thomas to an endorsement deal (adidas)....The Marquee
     Group has acquired QBQ Entertainment, which books tours and
     appearances for musical entertainers (Marquee Group).