SHOE NEWS: In Dallas, David Moore reported that Kobe
Bryant has deals with a fast-food chain and a pizza chain
"in the works." Bryant's shoe, the adidas KB8, "ran second
to Air Jordan in the pivotal November to January period.
The fact it did this without a big promotional blitz by
adidas is an outstanding sign for its potential." adidas
Creative Dir Peter Moore said Bryant is "about a year ahead
of their projections. His age, 19, is a big factor in the
sale of his $100 shoe" (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 2/16)....In
Akron, Terry Pluto commented on declining sales in the
sneaker category: "Way to go, America. ... Apparently, many
of us are beginning to get the message." Pluto: "The shoe
companies have helped send pro sports careening out of
control" (BEACON JOURNAL, 2/17)....Julie Foudy was profiled
in the CHICAGO SUN-TIMES and discussed her trip to Pakistan
to witness conditions at Reebok's contracted factories: "I
firmly believe you have to at least be educated about the
products you endorse" (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 2/15).
NOTES: Michael Jordan will star in a magazine ad
campaign for Oakley's "Mars" sunglasses, starting next month
(USA TODAY, 2/17)....Tobacco companies can continue to
sponsor NASCAR races in TX under an exemption written into
the state's $15.3B settlement with the industry. The
settlement bars most tobacco advertising in TX, including
billboards at TX Stadium, but exceptions allow tobacco
companies to keep their sponsorships and signs and
billboards as long as they promote an event, such as
NASCAR's Winston Cup (FT. WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM, 2/15).
