RACING: Thorn Apple Valley Premium Meats will sponsor
Cale Yarborough Motorsports' Winston Cup Series Ford and
become an "Official Marketing Partner for NASCAR's 50th
Anniversary" during the '98 NASCAR season (NASCAR).
NOTES: The Zest spot featuring the Rams' Craig
"Ironhead" Heyward was featured in USA TODAY. Procter &
Gamble VP Mark Schar said response to the spot "has been so
positive that at least one sequel is planned." Schar: "We
hope to get him to come on for one of the college bowl
games. He's got a great personality and plays to the camera
so well" (USA TODAY, 12/16)....Kevin Garnett's signature
shoe from Nike -- tentatively titled Air Garnett -- should
be available in stores sometime after the All-Star break.
The shoes are expected to retail for "less than $100." On
Monday, Garnett flew to Dallas for an advertising shoot for
a Frito-Lay spot (STAR TRIBUNE, 12/16)....Reebok Dir of PR
Dave Fogelson, on news the company will scale back its
athlete endorser roster: "Athlete endorsers, while very
important, are not the be-all or the end-all. There are
other factors that seem to be playing a much bigger role in
what kids will wear on their feet" (REUTERS, 12/15).
