NAMES & FACES: Lance Armstrong was a guest on NBC's
"Today" show with his wife and son. Armstrong talked about
his partnership with General Mills and the American Cancer
Society -- he is currently on the cover of a Wheaties box --
to raise $1M for cancer research. "Today" showed a TV spot
from the ad campaign ("Today," 1/27)....MacGregor Golf
"scores some product placement," as Bruce Willis "wields"
the company's MT Tungsten clubs in the upcoming Disney
movie, "The Kid," which is set for a July release. Kelsey
Grammer is "also getting a set for personal use" (BRANDWEEK,
1/24 issue)....Marion Jones' new endorsement deal with GM's
GMC Envoy (see THE DAILY, 1/26) includes a U.S. TV spot via
the Wimbley Group that breaks Saturday during NBC's live
broadcast of the Golden Spike Tour, as well as print ads in
SI, Family Digest and Ebony. Jones will also be featured in
Web and direct mail ads and will make personal appearances
for the brand. Additionally, SUV GMC Envoy is expanding its
relationship with the USATF by sponsoring the 2000 Golden
Spike Tour and title sponsoring two events (GM)....Agent
Brian Goldberg is "working on a deal" for his client Ken
Griffey, Jr. to become the national spokesperson for Child
Abuse Prevention (SEATTLE P-I, 1/27).
DEALS: Greens.com signed a three-year deal to become
the title sponsor of the PGA Tour's Reno-Tahoe Open
(Greens.com)....CNBC's Mike Hegedus reported on Austin-based
Golfsmith, and noted that the company's increase in sales is
"no mean feat considering a roughly 6% decline in the golf
equipment business at retail." Golfsmith Founder Carl Paul:
"In the last several years we did, $80 million, $92 million,
$117 million, $176 million in '97, and $276 million in '98,
and this year we'll be under $285 million (in sales)."
Hegedus reported that Paul "is looking to take the company
public once he feels the climate is right again" ("The
Edge," CNBC, 1/26)....ESPN's Jerry Kelly reported that EA
Sports has created "Play Against the Pros" technology, which
allows cyber golfers to compete in real time events against
PGA Tour players. PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem said
"Play With the Pros" puts the Tour "ahead of ... other
sports in interactivity. ... It reaches new fans and
probably can create new fans for our sport." The first Play
Against the Pros event will be February 3 during the AT&T
Pebble Beach National Pro-Am ("Inside the PGA," 1/26).
