IT'S BARBIE! Liberty C Rebecca Lobo will "unveil
Mattel's newest sports doll," a WNBA Barbie, as part of the
Barbie Sport initiative in N.Y., which will also include
basketball, figure skating and soccer instruction from Lobo,
Tara Lipinski and Mia Hamm, respectively (USA TODAY, 10/14).
The WNBA Barbie is also noted in TIME under the header, "Hot
New Toys ... Or So They Hope" (TIME, 10/19 issue).
NBA DEALS: Converse has signed multi-year endorsement
agreements with three NBA rookies: Hawks F Roshown McLeod,
Lakers G Tyronn Lue and Bulls G Cory Carr (Converse)....The
Bucks' second-round draft pick Rafer Alston has signed with
AND1 (MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL, 10/14).
PRINCE OF THE CITY: Prince VP/Marketing Rick Margin was
interviewed by Martin Daks of the Newark STAR-LEDGER. Asked
about the company's financial status, Margin said, "I can
say that Prince returned to profitability in 1995, and has
remained profitable since then." Margin said golf is
Prince's next growth area: "Studies have indicated that 30
percent of tennis players also play golf, so we're
leveraging the Prince brand name by expanding into golf
clubs. ... The golf clubs will be distinguished by their
larger, oversized 'sweet spots.' In 1999, we are scheduled
to introduce a line of fairway woods, which will compliment
our" Thunderstick irons and drivers (STAR-LEDGER, 10/12).
OTHER NOTES: The Senators are introducing their own
clothing line called Toga, which they call "more of a
'fashion line' than traditional hockey wear" (OTTAWA
CITIZEN, 10/13)....In an effort to promote tourism and the
Bengals, the Greater Cincinnati Convention and Visitors
Bureau has produced a 30-second video featuring game
highlights. The spot is "expected to make its on-air debut"
in the Nashville area during Sunday's Bengals-Oilers
telecast (CINCI. ENQUIRER, 10/13)....The ECHL Jacksonville
Lizard Kings have signed their "largest" sponsorship deal to
date, a one-year deal with FL-based Garber Country
Automotive Dealership. The dealership, in its first attempt
at sports marketing, will give away a $20,000 vehicle at the
Lizard Kings November 6 game (FLORIDA TIMES-UNION, 10/11).
