A HEART OF GOLD: In Denver, Adrain Dater reports that
while "several" NHL teams have "stopped playing" Gary
Glitter's "Rock and Roll, Part II" at arenas because of
Glitter's recent conviction on child pornography charges,
the song will continue to be played at the Pepsi Center.
Pepsi Center Dir of PR Brian Kitts: "We ... felt drawing
further attention to the song helps, in some ways, to
glorify the singer. And, that is not something that we were
willing to do. We didn't want to have to explain to our own
children why the song had been pulled" (DENVER POST, 11/18).
BEAMER DEALS: AD AGE's Kate Fitzgerald notes BMW's
sponsorship strategy, as it "canceled its golf and tennis
sponsorships a few years ago to develop its own events and
promotions, with spending on such activity now expanding by
20% annually." BMW VP/Marketing Jim McDowell said that the
company "hasn't lost any sales or significant exposure from
jettisoning sports sponsorships." McDowell: "We're pursuing
a variety of events that are specifically oriented around
BMW and serve our needs. We're not likely to return yet to
sponsoring sporting events" (AD AGE, 11/15).