REEBOK: In Boston, Tina Cassidy writes that Reebok is
"zeroing in on the trend" of lifestyle sneakers regaining
popularity, as the company is launching about 50 new
sneakers this year, "none designed with athletics in mind."
Reebok Classic Marketing Dir Linda Beane, on the sneakers
that are "more of a 'look' than an athletic shoe": "This is
our fastest-growing segment of the business. For 2001 and
2002, it's even bigger." Meanwhile, Cassidy adds that the
"most affordable hot shoe around may be" the Nike Air Rift,
which retails for $85. Boston NikeTown says that "it has
trouble" keeping the shoe, which features a split-toe, in
stock (BOSTON GLOBE, 9/13)....ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY previews
what may be next for Reebok's sponsorship of CBS' "Survivor"
series. The company is "trying to jumpstart" a movie or TV
series featuring Nate and Brian, the characters in the TV
spots that ran during the series. The two, who are under
contract with Reebok for the next year, also may be featured
in "possible new ads" for "Survivor II" (EW, 9/15 issue).
NOTES: In Chicago, Mark Brown examines the trademark
infringement lawsuit filed by N.Y.-based Chattanoga
Manufacturing in Chicago Federal Court last year against
Michael Jordan and Nike. Chattanoga's Morris Moinian
"contends that since" '80, his company has "manufactured and
sold a complete line of women's apparel using the name
Jordan." But Moinian didn't register the trademark until
'97. Moinian: "I have stores that stop buying from me
because they say ... 'You're not the real Jordan. We don't
want any trouble with Nike'" (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 9/13)....In
Dallas, Richard Alm reports that ClubCorp signed a ten-year
licensing deal with David Leadbetter Enterprises yesterday
that gives the company control of a Naples, FL, golf
academy. Alm notes that the deal marks the "most ambitious
step yet to make" ClubCorp a "major player" in the golf
instruction business (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 9/13).
