WOMEN IN THE NEWS: IMG formally announced that it has
inked an exclusive deal to represent Venus and Serena
Williams (see THE DAILY, 8/23). IMG Senior Int'l VP
Stephanie Tolleson will direct the effort (IMG)....The
Advertising Women of N.Y.'s "Good, the Bad and the Ugly
Awards" will recognize Nike and adidas ads around the U.S.
women's soccer team and the WWC at a luncheon today. The
Nike ads, from Wieden & Kennedy were "praised by the award
judges." The ads include the "I will have two fillings"
spot. The four-spot adidas campaign, which is from Leagas
Delaney and recreates WWC athletes childhoods, will receive
the "Grand Good" award (N.Y. TIMES, 9/28).
WAYNE'S TIRE TALK: Wayne Gretzky was a guest on the
"Regis and Kathy Lee Show" this morning, and Regis Philbon
said at the end of their interview, "Now let's talk about
why you're really here today, and that is this Goodyear
Ultra Grip Ultra Trip." Gretzky plugged the contest in
which consumers select their most "gripping moment of the
century" and are eligible to win a new car or a trip to L.A.
on New Year's Eve. Philbon noted that information about the
contest was posted on the show's Web site (ABC, 9/28).
BUYER BEWARE: OH State Univ. football fan Michael
McGuire had registered the "Beat Michigan" tag with the OH
Secretary of State in order to sell apparel with the phrase.
But he was informed by the CLC that the Univ. of MI had
registered the word "Michigan" with the U.S. Patent &
Trademark Office and regarded "Beat Michigan" as a trademark
infringement. McGwire "did indeed stop everything, and he's
miffed" (WALL STREET JOURNAL, 9/28)....The NHLPA ruled last
week that hockey card licensees will not be permitted to use
players under the age of 18 or use more than 45 non-NHLPA
members "throughout their brands." This guideline "will
lead into the abolishment of non-NHLPA members in licensed
sets" for 2000-01 card issues (BECKETT INSIDER, 9/24).
NOTES: NBC's Jay Leno: "Have you seen those TV ads with
John Elway drinking Coors beer? He's sitting alone in an
empty stadium drinking a Coors? Isn't that one of the signs
of problem drinking? John, the game ended eight hours ago.
Go home, man!" (NBC, 9/27)....Pennzoil has extended its
primary sponsorship of the IRL's No. 4 car owned by Panther
Racing and driven by Scott Goodyear through 2002 (DALLAS
MORNING NEWS, 9/27)....N.Y.-based Marcomm Partners is now
the lead sponsorship agency of the AVP. Marcomm chief Curt
Curtis said that the circuit plans 10-12 events next year,
half of which will include female players. A TV deal with
Fox is "being negotiated" (Terry Lefton, BRANDWEEK, 9/27).
