WILL WAYNE GRETZKY (BUD) LIGHT UP A-B'S NHL TIE?

          A-B is "offering" Wayne Gretzky a "seven-figure deal"
     that would make him a spokesperson for the Bud Light brand,
     in the company's effort to "buttress" its NHL sponsorship,
     according to Terry Lefton of BRANDWEEK.  While "sources
     differed as to how close" Gretzky was to signing, "all took
     careful note of the presence of" IMG's Mike Barnett,
     Gretzky's agent, at a "recent meeting" of NHL partners.  One
     "well-placed" source: "I don't think Barnett's at that
     meeting if [Gretzky] is signing with another beer brand, do
     you?"  Lefton writes that if Gretzky signs, it would be his
     "richest" deal "in some time" (BRANDWEEK, 7/5 issue).
          AN ACE OF A DEAL? Lefton also reports that A-B has
     signed a one-year deal with an option for a second as
     presenting sponsor of the Pilot Pen tennis tournament in
     August in CT, for its Michelob Light brand.  Lefton notes
     that tennis is "one of the few sports in which" A-B does not
     hold a "major position" and writes that the sponsorship is
     part of the company's effort to "reach women after new
     launches specifically targeting that demo did not pan out." 
     A-B receives "back-wall camera-visible signage, a suite and
     additional tickets and hospitality" (BRANDWEEK, 7/5).