London-based Invensys has signed a three-year deal to
become the Official Automation Company of the PGA Tour,
Senior PGA Tour and Buy.com Tour. Invensys receives category
exclusivity and will develop an ad presence for PGA Tour-
produced TV programming, PGA Tour Radio and PGATour.com.
The deal is Invensys' third golf-related marketing deal this
year, as it title sponsors the PGA Tour's Las Vegas event in
October and has become a sponsor of three WGC events.
Invensys said that it has made golf-related commitments of
about $15M over the next three years (PGA Tour).
THIS DEAL HAS SOME CRUNCH TO IT: The SPORTSBUSINESS
JOURNAL's Langdon Brockinton reports that Nature Valley
Granola Bars will become the "preferred natural energy bar"
of the PGA Tour, Senior PGA Tour and Buy.com Tour, as part
of a new marketing deal through 2002 between General Mills
and the PGA Tour (SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL, 8/28 issue).
BANK ON IT? Wells Fargo, formerly Norwest Banks, is
"expected to be announced as the new title sponsor" of the
Senior PGA Tour's Coldwell Banker Burnet Classic in MN. The
new name of the event "likely will be" the Wells Fargo
Classic (ST. PAUL PIONEER PRESS, 8/30).