GM Special Vehicle Group head Jon Moss appeared on
NBC's "Today" show this morning and presented GM's "Shark"
edition Blazer, a concept car which was created with the
input of Greg Norman. The Blazer features a convertible top
along with Norman's Shark logo detailed on the side. Moss
said that Norman was "very instrumental" in the design of
the car by showing the car's engineers renderings and
designs. Moss: "He gave us some very good styling cues in
what we wanted to do to produce it" ("Today," NBC, 7/14).
CHIPS AHOY! BRANDWEEK's Thompson & Linnett report that
Frito-Lay "begins national distribution" this week of Fritos
Racers, a line of "racecar-shaped chips" that will be
endorsed "on-pack and in ads later this month" by Jeff
Gordon. The product line will carry Gordon's No. 24
"embedded in the chip." Gordon will be featured in "kid-
targeted TV spots" by BBDO, N.Y., as well as on packaging,
in FSIs and POP to support the line (BRANDWEEK, 7/12 issue).
A-B UP FOR DALE: BRANDWEEK's Terry Lefton writes to
"look for" A-B to "ramp up its involvement with" driver Dale
Earnhardt Jr. during the 2000 NASCAR season, as Budweiser's
POP featuring Earnhardt Jr. "is enormously popular" and 16-
oz Budweiser cans featuring his likeness "doubled sales
expectations this year." A-B VP/Media & Sports Marketing
Tony Ponturo: "Next year, look for national TV commercials
and more, because we really think he's going to be the new
star on the circuit" (BRANDWEEK, 7/12 issue).
