MARKETPLACE ROUND-UP

          PLAYERS INK: Despite the loss yesterday, Steelers QB
     Kordell Stewart "is the NFL's hottest property," as
     Stewart's jerseys are "the top-selling piece of player
     merchandise" in the NFL this season.  NFL Manager of
     Corporate Communications Brian McCarthy: "Kordell is number
     one nationally" (PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE, 1/9)....Brett
     Favre has designed a range of neckwear for Stonehenge Ltd.
     to benefit the cancer-fighting V Foundation, named for the
     late Jimmy Valvano.  Favre joins Jerry Rice, Troy Aikman and
     Joe Theismann in the fund-raising effort (N.Y. POST, 1/11).
          NOTES: Coca-Cola "has quietly" asked Wieden & Kennedy
     to create advertising for Diet Coke.  W&K is creating
     Olympic-themed spots for Coke (USA TODAY, 1/12)....FleetBank
     Dir of Corporate Communications Jim Mahoney, asked if Mo
     Vaughn's DUI charges on Friday morning "could negatively
     affect Vaughn's role" as a company spokesperson: "I think
     I'd just as soon as pass on that one" (BOSTON GLOBE, 1/10).