Anna Kournikova has signed a "three-year, low-seven
figure pact with cell phone carrier Pegaso," according to
Terry Lefton of BRANDWEEK, who notes that the company is
"developing Mexico's first all-digital PCS network, with
backing from the likes of" Citicorp and Sprint. Kournikova
will appear in print and TV ads for Pegaso. Lefton adds
that the deal is "exclusive to Mexico, leaving" Kournikova
"free to tap additional cell phone millions" in North
America, Europe and Asia (BRANDWEEK, 4/24 issue).
NO COKE, PEPSI: Cubs RF Sammy Sosa will appear in four
new TV ads via BBDO, N.Y., for the Pepsi Challenge starting
this week. The ads show consumers taking the challenge,
while Sosa works the booth. English-language spots will run
on national and cable outlets, and Spanish-language ads will
run on Univision, Telemundo and Galavision (PepsiCo).
LE FREAK, HE'S CHIC: In N.Y., Mike Freeman wrote that
there are "now massive demands" for Titans DL Jevon Kearse,
partly because of the "marketing deals he is signing."
Kearse, who is represented by Leigh Steinberg, is shooting
Reebok ads and "has been approached about a Kearse sports
drink, and even his own mustard" (N.Y. TIMES, 4/23).
