Looking to "reposition itself in the sports
marketplace," CT-based Clarion/Performance Properties "is
changing its name, reshuffling top management and adding a
strategic alliance" with NY-based music marketing firm Track
Marketing, according to Terry Lefton of BRANDWEEK. The
"newly re-christened" Clarion Sports & Entertainment will be
run on a day-to-day basis by David Grant and Mike Reisman,
both of whom are elevated to Exec VP and Managing Dir. Alex
Nieroth moves from Exec VP to President. Looking to "expand
its capabilities through alliances or acquisitions in field
marketing and consumer research," Clarion has formed an
alliance with Track Marketing. Lefton cites the current
Pontiac-sponsored Travis Tritt 45-market concert tour, in
which Clarion will cross-promote Tritt's concerts and NHRA
events in the same cities, as an example of the kind of
"lifestyle marketing" project that Clarion hopes to "craft
with regularity." Lefton adds that Clarion, whose clients
include IBM and Gillette, is still looking to replace the
$1M-plus Sprint account it resigned from last year due to an
agency conflict with parent DMB&B (BRANDWEEK, 4/27 issue).
