AGENCY NEWS: Fleer/SkyBox Int'l named FCB, NY, to
handle its SkyBox trading cards, from Rockett, Burkhead,
Lewis & Winslow, NC. Spending was estimated at less than
$5M (AD AGE, 3/23)....In N.Y., Stuart Elliott writes
advertising execs predict that under new Chief Marketing
Office Charles Frenette, Coca-Cola is "likely to concentrate
its relationships with a few larger core agencies while
retaining several smaller shops for creative alternatives"
(N.Y. TIMES, 3/23). Coca-Cola spokesperson Bob Bertini: "We
don't anticipate an immediate change in our approach to
agencies" (WALL STREET JOURNAL, 3/23).
OTHER NOTES: In NJ, Colin Stephensen reported that
money might "have been a factor" in Seton Hall basketball
coach Tommy Amaker's decision to withdraw his name from
consideration for the Univ. of MI's head coaching job.
Amaker's three-year contract at Seton Hall pays him about
$350,000 annually, and his shoe contract with Fila "pays
about the same." Michigan has an exclusive contract with
Nike, "meaning its coaches cannot negotiate their own deals
for extra income" (Newark STAR-LEDGER, 3/21). But Amaker
later said "money was never the issue" (STAR-LEDGER, 3/22).
...David Letterman will sponsor Indy Lights driver Tim Moser
for the remainder of the season (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 3/21).
...In Tampa, Dillard's department store violated MLBP's logo
policy Thursday when it included an unauthorized photo of
Devil Rays OF Dave Martinez in uniform in a full-page ad in
the St. Petersburg Times. Martinez was to have appeared at
a Dillard's store. Friday, Dillard's apologized on a full-
page ad in the newspaper, saying, "Dillard's deeply regrets
this unauthorized use." Martinez's appearance was cancelled
(TAMPA TRIBUNE, 3/21)....Angels OF Tim Salmon will appear in
an ESPN "Net Boy" spot. Salmon, who has never been selected
to an All-Star team: "The guys who make the All-Star team
are consistently out there, and that's where I realize I may
be hurting myself. ... But I'm starting to get old, and I
want to go to the All-Star game" (L.A. TIMES, 3/22).
