Ken Griffey Jr.'s likeness was removed from a NikeTown
billboard in Seattle, and in its place will be a "question
mark and the query: 'Who's Next?,'" according to Robert
Nelson of the SEATTLE TIMES. Who replaces Griffey will be
"decided by members of the shopping public, whom Nike is
calling on to vote for a Griffey replacement." Nike
Corporate Communications Specialist Claudine Leith said that
balloting begins today and will run through March 18. Nike
hopes to unveil the new billboard in early April. Nelson
writes that voters "are free to cast ballots for any
athlete, but for it to count for much, it should be someone
under contract with Nike." In Seattle, that includes
Mariners SS Alex Rodriguez, Sonics G Gary Payton and F Vin
Baker. Leith said that billboard candidates "aren't limited
to athletes in Seattle." Griffey's photo has been up since
Seattle's NikeTown opened in '96 (SEATTLE TIMES, 3/10).
PEPSI'S CHALLENGE: PepsiCo PR Manager David DeCecco, on
the company signing Griffey and Sammy Sosa: "We've just
decided to step up our marketing around baseball ... to
market to youth especially" (CINCINNATI ENQUIRER, 3/10).
